Juvenile Humpback Whale Washes Ashore on Newport Beach Wednesday Evening, February 18th

A juvenile humpback whale carcass washed ashore in Newport Beach, California, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, drawing attention from local residents, lifeguards, and marine mammal experts.

The approximately 30-foot-long sub-adult whale, estimated to weigh around 10 tons (20,000 pounds), grounded on the beach near 10th to 11th Street on the Balboa Peninsula, between the Newport and Balboa piers and close to Newport Elementary School. It was first spotted floating offshore around 1:45 p.m. near 28th Street before heavy waves from recent storms pushed it ashore by about 3 p.m.

Local lifeguard officials, including Lifeguard Chief Brian O'Rourke, confirmed the animal is believed to be a humpback whale. Staff from the Pacific Marine Mammal Center responded to the scene to assess the situation. No obvious external injuries or signs of trauma were immediately visible on the body.

The stranding follows a series of powerful winter storms that battered Southern California earlier in the week, contributing to rough surf conditions that likely carried the carcass to shore. Marine experts expressed hope that an additional storm forecasted for Thursday could pull the remains back out to sea naturally. If that does not occur, authorities will need to coordinate removal efforts.

The cause of death remains unknown at this time. A necropsy is planned or underway to determine what led to the whale's demise, as is standard protocol for such incidents. Recent years have seen elevated humpback whale mortalities along the West Coast, often attributed to factors such as vessel strikes, fishing gear entanglements, or malnutrition, though no preliminary indications point to any specific cause here.

Videos and photos circulating online, including aerial footage, show the large dark body being battered by waves on the darkened beach in the late afternoon and evening, highlighting the somber scene amid ongoing stormy weather.

This event serves as a reminder of the challenges facing marine mammals in busy coastal waters and the importance of ongoing monitoring and protection efforts. Video is visible on x.com at: https://x.com/OC_Scanner/status/2024364392213868599?s=20