At a Glance
- Fin, a golden-Lab mix, leaned within inches of two humpback whales on January 10
- The rescue dog works aboard Gone Whale Watching San Diego tours every day
- The whales played around the boat for over 90 minutes
- Why it matters: The footage offers a rare, calm cross-species meeting caught on camera
A San Diego whale-watching dog named Fin has gone viral after video showed him nearly touching noses with two curious humpback whales that circled his small tour boat for more than an hour.
The Close Encounter
Fin, a golden retriever and Labrador retriever mix, lives aboard Gone Whale Watching San Diego vessels with owner-operator Domenic Biagini. On January 10, the dog hopped up on the gunwale and leaned toward two young humpbacks that repeatedly approached the boat.
Biagini, who captured the scene on video, said the whales performed behaviors known as mugging-approaching the vessel to inspect it-and spyhopping, lifting their heads above the surface to look around. The animals sprayed water and lifted their pectoral fins in what appeared to be playful gestures directed at the unfazed canine.
“Every day my partner and I take our dog on board with us, where he has learned the art of whale watching,” Biagini said. “On this day, two young humpback whales stopped to play with him for over 90 minutes!”
A Whale-Watching Regular
The rescue dog rides along on every research and sightseeing trip run by the small-boat agency. Biagini told Storyful that Fin has grown accustomed to the presence of whales and shows no fear when they draw near.
Earlier whale encounters include an August 2024 outing when Fin observed a pod of orcas at close range. Biagini described these moments as part of the dog’s routine, noting that Fin’s calm demeanor seems to encourage the marine mammals to linger.
Shared With Storyful
Biagini supplied the footage to Storyful, showing Fin perched on the boat’s edge while the humpbacks glide past. The clip reveals the dog leaning farther over the side for a better view, coming within what looks like a whisker of the whales’ rostrums without flinching.
Moments later, one whale rolls slightly, its white pectoral fin raised, before both animals continue circling the stationary vessel.
Another Dog in Whale Conservation
Fin is not the only canine making waves in whale science. A Jack Russell terrier/pit bull mix named Eba was featured on It’s a Dog’s Life for her work sniffing out whale scat. Researchers working with Eba analyze the feces to find ways to help the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population.
While Eba’s role is data collection, Fin’s job appears to be public relations-charming passengers and, apparently, the whales themselves.
Why the Video Matters
Encounters where humpbacks choose to interact with a stationary boat for more than an hour are unusual, especially when the animals appear focused on a non-human passenger. Biagini’s footage offers a low-stress example of cross-species curiosity, with no signs of aggression or distress from either side.
The calm behavior displayed by both dog and whales underscores the potential for peaceful coexistence when tour operators follow responsible viewing guidelines.
Key Takeaways
- January 10 footage shows Fin within inches of two humpbacks for a 90-minute visit
- Owner Domenic Biagini says the rescue dog joins every Gone Whale Watching trip
- Humpbacks exhibited mugging and spyhopping behaviors typically linked to curiosity
- Previous Fin sightings include orcas in August 2024
