Full Breakdown
Humpback Whale Travels 60 Miles Inland into Sacramento River Delta
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Core Event: Unusual Inland Whale Sighting
On Tuesday the animal entered San Francisco Bay and by Wednesday was observed near the Rio Vista Bridge in the Sacramento River, roughly 60 miles (97 km) from its normal Pacific Ocean habitat. Fishermen Denny Glover and Josue Mejia Blanco reported the whale breaching and spouting water. The adult, identified as CRC-11620, has been documented 15 times over the past 24 years.
Background & Context
Humpback whales occasionally appear in the Bay area. Notable past incidents include the 1985 “Humphrey” whale and the 2007 mother-calf pair “Delta” and “Dawn,” which spent weeks in the Delta before returning to the ocean. CRC-11620 was first recorded off California in 2002 and most recently sighted in Baja California in February 2026.
Data & Statistics
- Inland distance: ~60 miles (97 km)
- Vessel size used for observation: 21-foot (6.4 m) boat
- Whale size: comparable to a school bus; adult humpbacks can weigh up to 80,000 lb (35,287 kg)
- Photo-ID catalog entries: 15 sightings of CRC-11620 since 2002
- Historical Delta visits: Humphrey (1985); Delta & Dawn (2007, ~20 days, >90 miles upstream)
Official Statements & Responses
The Marine Mammal Center confirmed the sighting and said its Cetacean Conservation Biology team is actively monitoring the whale’s movements. Kathi George, director of Cetacean Conservation Biology, emphasized that the whale appears healthy but its motives are unknown, and urged the public to keep a respectful distance and avoid influencing its course. A report updated on September 17, 2026 noted that both the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declined to comment.
On-the-Ground Reports
Josue Mejia Blanco initially thought the animal was a submarine, later describing the experience as “mind-blown” and “hard to process.” Video captured by Glover showed multiple spouts and a breach larger than the boat.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I thought it was a submarine at first,” — Josue Mejia Blanco
- “At first it was kind of mind blown. I couldn't process it,” — Mejia Blanco
- “I honestly, I didn’t believe it. I thought he had mistaken a dolphin or porpoise or whatever,” — Northern California. Denny Glover
- “Just the part of the whale that breached was longer than our 21-foot boat,” — Northern California. Denny Glover
- “While it’s unknown whether this whale is just passing through or if there is an underlying, unknown ailment, the best thing people can do is experience this adult whale’s presence from a respectful distance,” — Kathi George, director of Cetacean Conservation Biology at The Marine Mammal Center
- “This is a remarkable journey for a humpback whale,” — Kathi George, director of Cetacean Conservation Biology at The Marine Mammal Center
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No agency provided official comments on the whale’s health or reasons for its inland migration, leaving the underlying cause uncertain. While the Marine Mammal Center reports the whale is in good condition, there is no independent verification of stress levels or potential impacts from boat traffic.