Whale Swims Beneath Group of Surfers Off Southern California Coast

Drone operator Payton Landaas captured a beautiful scene in Dana Point, California, as a whale glided up to an array of black-clad surfers waiting for a wave and greeted them with a “pfft” from its blowhole.
Landaas said he was enjoying a day at home when he noticed the whale swimming near the coast, prompting him to quickly grab his drone to record the animal.
Landaas said the drone followed the whale for two miles, from his house to Doheny State Beach.
The footage shows the whale approach a group of surfers waiting for a wave. Then the whale comes up for air, capturing the attention of the surfers when water is spewed from its blowhole.
Landaas considers himself lucky that he was able to observe such a rare moment. “I was completely shocked with the interaction and was really focused on getting the perfect shot,” he told Storyful.
Credit: Payton Landaas via Storyful
Original video: • Whale Surfing | DJI Ma...
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[@StoryfulViral]

Got some cool drone footage? We'd love to see it! Share your videos here: strvideo.com/386zhvB

[@user-lt2ln8wi7q]

خط خط حد ككككككحاح تا قفخخعقثفكدوةلنطمعب

[@micegamer8179]

@@user-lt2ln8wi7q q

[@Johnnnnnnyyyyyyy]

Sorry but i dont got no drone, to expensive

[@finanaura5661]

@@user-lt2ln8wi7q hs

[@والباقيعلينا]

Please! Can I re-upload the video to my channel?

[@victorychaptervlogs]

Thats whats wild is that he communicated with them and let them know he was there when he could of easily not. How intelligent they are.

[@kabulbolan]

Intelligent? When was the last time they invented an iPhone? Lol

[@starandfox601]

When was the last time you invented a iphone? Just some poeple are intillgent enough to make a iphone does not mean all humans are intillgent.esipceally considering how much really dumb stuff humans do.

[@grunt2523]

@@starandfox601 savage

[@betzaidacandela7517]

fox fox lmfaoo that's right good thing you responded like that bc that person sound dumb asf

[@misanthrxpe2421]

@@kabulbolan You've made a mockery of yourself, well done.

[@LtDansLegs69]

Real question is what the hell were all those guys doing out there that was the calmest water ive ever seen lol

[@lincolnchildress6539]

Waiting for a set. California surfers would be out there even if the water was boiling

[@gabrielhorta6400]

@@lincolnchildress6539 a set?

[@OBsurdityTV]

@@gabrielhorta6400 a set of Waves I'm assuming.

[@lincolnchildress6539]

OBsurdity TV that’s what they are called, sets. Waves come in like 5-10 in a row and then stop for a little then start up again. They come in sets

[@LtDansLegs69]

@@lincolnchildress6539 still like shithawks sitting there in calm waves

[@JackDManheim]

I really hate the end cards popping up and ruining these videos.

[@michaelhernandez1398]

I know right. Like I’m not done watching my video.

[@jasonyang696]

Switch to small window in the corner.

[@rohan_3128]

@@jasonyang696 it doesn't works

[@cimissu]

So true!

[@jenny2245]

I wish I could like this comment more than once. It gives me the rage, why do they do this!?

[@imboredsowat]

Idk who would swim so close to such dangerous animal... I’m glad that whale made it out alive.

[@donuts3476]

I'm the whale and just saying that was the most terrifying experience

[@Rui_Martins_2000]

@@donuts3476 your name says it all

[@destinyswilly]

pink unicorn I’ve never seen someone catfish as hard as you. God-tier, no cap

[@samaeldeul572]

Ikr😂

[@tzaklau7283]

Wow ur so cool

[@dafunk5102]

That’s the way it should be between humans and animals. Peaceful

[@christophertroy1333]

It all depends on who's on the menu

[@Shubeeduwah]

Wel, will be a different story if that’s a great white instead.

[@OHOHOHCOME]

Tell that to the butchers.

[@alvzcizzler]

humans are animals

[@bryanolivo8093]

Lib!

[@edd868]

I liked how that one person started furiously swimming away when the whale got under them

[@hooliganifrailty8643]

I laughed like a mf he or she was scared af lol I would be too doe

[@soupafleye]

lul wulfii999 right so hilarious 😭

[@Tao-fp3yr]

It seemed to me like said person wanted to politely move out of the whale's way.

[@soomin3281]

that person scared lmaoo

[@walnutsss]

Tbh I’d do the same

[@gabbik1920]

0:50 The one surfer that thought I'm not about this 😂😂😂

[@timholla7014]

Right

[@stradmotovlogph2210]

Hahahaha

[@ItsJustJodieLove-ej4il]

Maaaaannn...😂😂😲😲😲😲

[@laureyes2743]

Lmao!

[@mananghilawwalihgnanam9661]

that moves makes me laugh so hard 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@lass-inangeles7564]

Loved the silence of no music and just the whale. Wonderful!

[@AnaJulia-tr1wu]

Mm. Turdf

[@John14-6-]

Yall should try yoga lol

[@clairedaniels1877]

Lass-in Angeles I would’ve preferred to hear the ocean and the whale 🐳 blow.

[@Arbj]

The whale passing through like, "Now umm, which one of you fellas is named Jonah?"

[@terrellgrier6370]

😂😂😂

[@jeff.s.7160]

Ha

[@kerryh5456]

😂🤣

[@obihieleuchendu8243]

Hahahaha

[@Paxicology]

AHHAAHAHAAHA lol ur funny

[@mariceto100]

They are bored probably the whale came to make some waves so they can start surfing....

[@Paxicology]

Ahahahahaa

[@blaisehanon]

lololol

[@thenewfact5763]

Hehehe

[@ndjibukabengele973]

Don't kill me dude lol

[@luciaflor9420]

🤣🤣

[@SHEandITpodcast1]

That cute signal he gave to not scare anyone. So Magestic

[@bekennejesusdeinesundenund2427]

Only JESUS CHRIST can save your soul from the flames of hell!

[@SHEandITpodcast1]

@@bekennejesusdeinesundenund2427 hahahahahahahhahhahahhahahahahhahahahhaha

[@bekennejesusdeinesundenund2427]

@@SHEandITpodcast1 Repent! JESUS CHRIST will come very soon!

[@SHEandITpodcast1]

@@bekennejesusdeinesundenund2427 ok

[@peacelily515]

@@SHEandITpodcast1 Jesus is real. Sis please believe and accept Him.

[@iamnaitsirk3091]

Whale probably thought "tf are these people surfing here for in a waveless sea.here lemme pass by and give you some waves."

[@mengguypogitalaga3791]

you need more likes!

[@davindestroyer]

Lol

[@Ви́кторсмирнов-я4ь]

Yes that's exactly what the whale was thinking, you're right 😂

[@thepresence2831]

Lmao(≧▽≦)

[@pn2696]

Nice one

[@willybeama1]

The footage drones are able to capture is simply incredible sometimes.

[@riverbankfisher]

What a magnificent beast. Notice how the behemoth slowed way down before reaching the surfers, and then carefully avoided them as he cruised among them with great care and precision. Supreme intelligence at play there, folks, and great compassion for fellow sea creatures awaiting the wave. Very thought provoking footage, for sure.

[@notboblowski0624]

People have said the same about me at a buffet

[@riverbankfisher]

@@notboblowski0624 Haha good one

[@joshrandell3202]

I’m amazed at how calm they were. I would’ve shit myself 😂

[@anthonytaylor7928]

Lol

[@CHRISFREE84]

me 2

[@one4all265]

The kid freaked out and moved quickly to his dad when the whale was almost under him.

[@mrunalkolhatkar8164]

That was calmness of respect as well as fear ! 😅

[@Suki-hl6vg]

Jep

[@JokaaBu]

"Dont be afraid human. I wont hurt you. Im calm and friendly animal".

[@YoungForever7168]

@Robert Leonard the person said " don't be afraid human"

[@paiman1288]

@Robert Leonard reading comprehension 101

[@bhinderamar]

Thanks for translating the language of Whale 🐋 in English

[@calebdonaldson7044]

Amar nah it’s cringy and I hate people who talk like this

[@bhinderamar]

Caleb Donaldson and I don’t give a shit wtf you hate

[@stephanieruggles7783]

How gentle this beautiful giant is. He communicates clearly to avoid scariness among the surfers. Lovely. And something some people can learn from him. Awareness. Respect.

[@Puddin44]

Jokes on you when it’s the thing from Jurassic world and not a whale

[@SG98Films]

Yeah I'm sure one of those will pop up soon

[@kurtsherrick2066]

Great Ending wasn't it? I thought about the Big Water Carnivore about 2 seconds before it came out of the water to eat the killer mutated Dinosaur. Oh Blue was the hero in the end.

[@500subswithvideoschallenge7]

@@kurtsherrick2066 ya it was COOL!

[@bile897]

Mosasaurus lol they would be snacks

[@gnappibr]

Interesting how she breathes just before passing by the surfers, as if warning about her presence and then gently passes under them, avoiding any physical contact with them.

[@gnappibr]

@Super Man Because the word "whale" in Portuguese is feminine, then we refer to them as "she" regardless of the sex of the animal in question.

[@freeflixpro]

The whale gave a warning signal before clicking the "submerge" button. How polite😀.

[@nathanielmiller5813]

Ķiss me!

[@koretell]

What an amazing display of Intelligence from this beautiful creature , his excitement at the beginning to go investigate them, and then the gentle giant underneath the surfers. WOW

[@brahim119]

That magnificent creature just tried to help and make some waves for those very patient surfers. Lucky people.

[@nvmblxnks3375]

Imagine if it did our even as other people comment it was giving them a heads up I don’t know it could of been a lot of things it’s just amazing

[@Mcl0vinorgan]

The whale was like, 0:40 "Whoops coming through ", as the surfers acknowledges.

[@generaltofu511]

I'm officially glad youtube put this on my recommended

[@ankursinha95]

Everybody gangsta until Reaper Leviathan swims under.

[@Kandulavira]

kzbin.info9TNbNkgVizc?feature=share sri lanka animals

[@MustWatchTV]

I would literally die if I seen that coming towards me 😂

[@ItsShayy]

I just died laughing at the ones that started swimming away cause that would’ve been me😂😂😂

[@theresenydahl9531]

Beautiful, what an experience for the surfers.

[@theotherside931]

*Notice how that gigantic creature easily navigated through a bunch of surfers without turning them over. That's intelligence right there.*

[@marksalver1765]

More likely it's the whale just doing what it normally does; cruising. And disregarding the people as little mammals of little importance compared to its next delicious nosh of plankton. (Assuming that's a baleen whale)

[@Cornell90]

If that's intelligence you got a low standard of intelligence. Just sayin

[@theotherside931]

@@Cornell90 *For feeling the need to say this to a stranger, your intelligence raising alarm.*

[@Cornell90]

@@theotherside931 Try to make sense. We get it, animals are so intelligent. Watch out, soon they will take over the world with their lazer guns.

[@watertree1]

I love how the giant animal passing under through surfers and not waving the water. how gentleman the whale is

[@jeremygodwin5007]

WOW!!! I’ve got chills. Could you imagine being one of those surfers? I mean.....the experience of that whale being that close. Beautiful!! Absolutely beautiful!!!

[@firewaterbydesign]

They are so beautiful and intelligent. They know to be careful as not to accidentally hit one of the surfers with their body, flippers or tail. What an absolute privilege to have experienced such an amazing event. Those surfers will remember this experience for the rest of their lives. Sending much love and beautiful blessings to all, from the majestic Oregon coast! 🌊 🏄‍♀️ 🦀 🐳 🐙 🏄‍♂️

[@Islandlyph]

Looks like they’ll be waiting awhile for a wave😂🤣

[@bull_Tattoo]

Maybe the whale saw the issue and tried to splash up some gnar gnar

[@josephseed8965]

Yea dude it's like so flat like y r they even out there. It's like they r in a harbor or sum shit

[@tannergauge9374]

Lmao so funny. Are those rental boards?haha

[@josephseed8965]

@L B I know that. My point I was making is that the water is flat as hell

[@ramonsanchez5175]

you could have a picnic out there between sets is so flat

[@msnfraser4459]

At least he was polite, just went around. This could have gone differently.

[@choreboy988]

Things could have gone differently, you say? Well, color me curious! Like how? Swat them w/ it’s tail? Eat them? _Blowhole them into space!?_ 😮🤭 Orcas in captivity sometimes kill their trainers, but those orcas earned that right imo.😂🤷‍♂️

[@jumullyett1258]

Chore Boy yeah true what would the whale do

[@randomnameindeed]

@@choreboy988 I suppose he could jump and land on them, but the chances of that happening would be very slim.

[@rachelpalmer7823]

The whale is saying “hey guys! Whatcha doin?” 😆🧡

[@juniiorrod5761]

If it was a white shark 🦈 would’ve been a different story.

[@njaunjeru9575]

Either way I'd have been out of that water watching from the top of a cliff

[@skinnerthepunk]

Not really. A Great White would just come up to investigate, but that's Dana Point. You have a better chance seeing a Mako than a Great White.

[@lilaclizard4504]

@@skinnerthepunk not right now, at least not in Australia! Most recent one was the guy who had to go into a full blown fight with a great white, punching it repeatedly to get it to let go of his girlfriend's leg. That follows on from the one that took a big chunk out of a boat & the other that grabbed a 10 year old child who was fully inside a fishing boat. Dad jumped in after his son & managed to get the shark to let him go & cause the shark had grabbed him by his life jacket, that was shredded, but kid survived. Sea critters have gone loony with covid!

[@hotcrazycatladyme168]

Not really. They don`t see us as food. Most of the time they attack it`s because they get confused or they are just testing the waters. There are people who go swimming with them all the time and never get attacked.

[@frostbitetheannunakiiceind6574]

no it wouldnt

[@richardrieman5316]

One of many things I love about the ocean. I’ve ridden waves with dolphins and have seen seals and leopard sharks which are very small and harmless. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to this happen

[@raymondtaron4904]

This gets my heart racing. But I know it’ll be a memory anyone would remember forever. That’s amazing!

[@unbearifiedbear1885]

Absolutely incredible.. the fact something that massive can be right next to you without you knowing is equal parts unbelievably amazing and utterly terrifying

[@challengerbrant]

I love how he introduces his arrival, then blends right in - no straight shot here.

[@dollyarthiya7661]

Arent they afraid.... i would have got heart attack

[@dollyarthiya7661]

If they are then i would love to c it atleast once

[@dollyarthiya7661]

I love animals and birds but never got a chance to raise em tats sad.... 😒..... i love nature wana go all over to c nature. People are mostly giving negative comments without knowing truth

[@dollyarthiya7661]

@robin smith roger

[@kooxaldoxt5162]

Yep in almost every video there is a comment whose replies are all about arguing. Like I know better than you and I know better than you arguing all the time.

[@farahsali1]

And a screamed my head off

[@courtneychappell8801]

That was some of the calmest water I've ever seen. These people are surfing 🌊 they need a better spot bro 🤙🏼

[@rladnjsqls]

I've watched so many whale videos that my youtube recommendations are 90% whale videos. They are SO addictive

[@boufie9997]

"Whale Swims Beneath Group of Surfers Off Southern California Coast"...Wow, NO CLICKBAIT!! Refreshing...

[@obihieleuchendu8243]

0:41 The Whale's cute signal was like, "Hey guys it's me, alright I'm going in - no harm meant". **whale submerges itself and passed by them**

[@nigelgrim]

I wish this had sound so I can hear all of the surfers' cussing.

[@robinflea]

nigel grimm you mean screaming

[@IchigoIchigo3]

Surfers: "Can I getta Hhhooohyeeaaahhhh❤️?!?!"

[@jboggs3275]

I like how some of those guys didn’t gaf and some swam away.

[@jasonlopez2949]

That had to of been great moments for those guys there out there seeing these giant creatures has to be amazing at times!!!

[@lktzu2821]

I love how the whale surfaces and makes its presence knowns before passing the surfers. They are so intelligent.

[@silverjay4455]

Surfers: cool look a whale! Me: **instant heart attack if i was there**

[@stevensimoneschi9029]

I hate jokes that use this format. They are played out and never remotely funny.

[@swedeecklund1933]

Why anyone would put a thumb down ? This is awesome

[@ashokgurung2632]

The most dangerous creature in the world and the most majestic whale swimming peacefully.

[@nias2631]

Had one come up next to me once. It was cruising by and I tried to paddle after it. I could feel all the water moving behind it from its huge tail as I tried to chase. Makes you feel very small. Beautiful though.

[@breatheinpoetry]

This is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen

[@6Deep6]

The whale flipper made the biggest wave the surfers have seen all day.

[@Dybeatsounique]

I love how the whale 🐳 showed his or interest of wanting to be around them. He or she could have went in a total different direction. This was beautiful

[@Kandulavira]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2WZgGSBpbqbl7M sri lanka animals

[@michaeldose2041]

Awesome waves LOL. 20 people waiting for that 'perfect' wave.

[@dabijuzeentertainments6132]

When everyone thought it was a meg

[@keedss]

I’m the person anxiously paddling away

[@unbearifiedbear1885]

Love how he blew just before reaching them, like _"oh hey, don't panic, jus passin thru"_

[@christineknight7299]

Whale probably thinks it's yet More Garbage tossed in his back yard........

[@PS3Goat94]

Well you are right. Humans are garbage

[@shellyskiles9520]

Wow, I would've defied all laws of gravity to get out of there!!! 🙄🙄

[@genomitchalinni8106]

That looks like Dana Point Jetty. I've caught a 55" Halibut there. The charter boats dump their scraps in the marina on the other side so it's a smorgasbord.

[@codereddefense]

What an amazing video!

[@958rocket7]

i bet you atleast one guy was just had this voice yelling JAWS in his head

[@anthonytaylor7928]

I.ll bet somebody was joking around and making that sound from the movie

[@CapitalGainzz]

There’s a pov video of a whale breaching on the side of a boat to scrape off barnacles. Whales are majestic yet somewhat terrifying.

[@roxyviola3310]

I saw that video. Girl was freaking out telling her boyfriend let’s get the hell out of here 😂🤣🤣

[@ahchahmawah5183]

Looks like the scene from the meg in real time

[@troygaspard6732]

A gentle giant, that knew how to avoid those floating mammals.

[@Zenobiadream]

So graceful and so gentle

[@jujuoliver6959]

Amazing experience for the surfers. This is why the sea sort of spooks me a bit or quite a lot ha ha as you can’t see what is beneath, but this was awesome.

[@christianrodriguez3793]

That was beautiful footage I remember being out early and had a dolphin swim under my surfboard yeah I instantly warmed up my wetsuit...if you know what I mean...😂

[@SeaDemon25]

@Im NoT LiKe OtHeR gIrLs they bite

[@Eric_the_miserable_midget]

Lol Grom wanted nothing to do with that thing

[@tor1103]

*This is a sect of calm, not thinking people!*

[@astanfartin1647]

drones are giving us a great new look into marine activity.....oddly enough.....them being airborne. sometimes the advantages of new things aren't always that obvious...we are all creatures of habit comfortable in the belief that the way we do things is ok. i love these videos.

[@msohsosolo]

This happens way more often than it’s caught on film. Everybody who is on the water on a regular basis is use to it.♥️

[@TheSunIsMyDestroyer]

EDIT: Word of advice to anyone encountering a racist: Never sling mud with a pig, you'll just get dirty and the pig is still in it's natural environment.

[@rogersilva9372]

Its a whale not a sea monster

[@TheSunIsMyDestroyer]

@@rogersilva9372 thanks for the brilliant analysis

[@rogersilva9372]

@@TheSunIsMyDestroyer you're welcome should I bring you a basket full of muffins with that

[@rogersilva9372]

@@TheSunIsMyDestroyer but from a distance of course I don't want you to give me the corona virus from you

[@TheSunIsMyDestroyer]

@@rogersilva9372 It's quite fun to see people make a fool out of themselves, especially the uneducated ones.

[@c-dublife]

Where are the surfers? Those are floaters on a flat day.....

[@Geebee67]

How beautiful, how lucky were you guys to experience this 😍

[@m8trxd]

"How would they know?" "They're never gonna know!" DAmn you Tiktok

[@Kandulavira]

kzbin.info9TNbNkgVizc?feature=share sri lanka animals

[@moecook6914]

Drones are f****** awesome they bring out a lot of stuff we never seen before

[@AlisVolatPropriis01]

image that it was the megaladon and not a whale 😱 the movie “the meg” really scarred me for life

[@butterflylondres1412]

This is so cool but knowing me i would have a heart attack 🤤

[@TraumaER]

*Surfer 1:* Ok who just crapped in their pants? *Surfer 2:* It wasn't me! *Surfer 1:* Well I did!

[@gglendormi]

Amazing, the number of surfer in the ocean with absolutely no swell.

[@countryboy5413]

Wow imagine swimming underwater and seeing that coming towards you

[@edsonsantosvasconcelosjuni2288]

Vc está aí na quarentena assistindo netflix???? Não, you tube mesmo!!!!

[@josehildegardesdantas4312]

Tem alguém do Brasil

[@edmarvieira1026]

Sim

[@rodsilva80]

Não

[@astravision1109]

Idk why this was recommended to me..but now im scarred for life

[@iraqchinawashington4095]

You need to take some ibuprofen ASAP

[@iraqchinawashington4095]

@Mazz Maxx 3 to 5 times a day without it.

[@yashwanth8841]

Whales are the most gentle and caring in the ocean

[@patsywhiddon1832]

Yes it said heads up! It was swimming with family, I think the whales look at surfers as brothers and sisters of the ocean. Fantastic footage 🙏

[@vibesbynae4860]

Look at the size of us humans compared to that precious whale minding its own business

[@frantrictantric]

All had a whale of a time.

[@flyinpigmusic331]

Ugh...

[@alishaeyre2682]

lol

[@marialondono8086]

😁😁LOL

[@frantrictantric]

@@marialondono8086 Whale Oil Beef Hooked..Say that quickly haha

[@marialondono8086]

@@frantrictantric lol stopp

[@helloitsmehb]

Why are you guys surfing doheny in november?! Lol

[@delmanglar]

It's flat like a lake

[@kamikariad]

Doing what you always do at Doho in November. Waiting.

[@unbearifiedbear1885]

*First guy:* _"OMG a whale!!!"_ *Second Guy:* "No way! Where?" *Kid:* "OH FFFFFFFFUUUUU...."

[@arunkk004]

How beautifully someone has captured the video

[@daredesuka_ne4707]

こんなの近くに来たら腰抜けるwww 自分は越前クラゲでビビるんで

[@user-qg1jg3px4q]

あれ見てビビらないやつは何見てもビビらないと思うwww

[@user-wn6bz9gq5t]

Фейк . Что делают сёрферы в полный штиль в заливе ?

[@dtnineninety9406]

Дрочат

[@mikeoliver861]

Something about this doesn't seem right.

[@mateiilie1848]

The quality of the sound... Amazing!