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Passengers aboard the whale watching vessel got their money’s worth this weekend, when an 80-foot blue whale popped up right next to the boat, took a breath, and flashed its massive tail, or fluke, before returning to the deep blue depths. But the best vantage point ended up belonging to a paddle-boarder who got this close to the gentle ocean giant…

This amazing natural event went down this weekend in Dana Point, Calif., and was captured on the camera of David Anderson, the helmsman of Capt. Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Safari.  The paddle-boarder was on a mission to capture underwater footage of the massive animal, as he was seen jumping into the water as the whale dove beneath the surface.

Blue whales, which often eclipse measurements of 100 feet and weights of as much as 150 tons, have began congregating in large numbers off the Southern California coast, as they seek to take advantage of an unusual abundance of their food of choice, krill.  This phenomenon has made for a booming whale watching season, and an increase in tourist traffic to the area.

Capt. Anderson said that on a recent Monday alone, his sighting log included almost 20 blue whales, 3 fin whales, 1 humpback whale, and countless dolphins. In a recent work week, his tally accounted for over 100 blue whale sightings, and with the krill swarms continuing to blossom beneath the surface from Santa Monica to San Diego, the awesomely prolific viewing season is predicted to continue for at least another couple of months.

I can almost hear the Southwest flights being purchased now…