This time of year, gray whale sightings along the Long Beach coast are common as a result of their migration.

This year, the Aquarium of the Pacific and Harbor Breeze Cruises have also documented increased sightings of humpback whales, which are known for their acrobatics and friendliness. Sightings of orcas, fin whales, minke whales, dolphins, and other animals have also been recorded in the waters off Long Beach in recent months.

A gray whale was spotted alongside its newborn calf during a Harbor Breeze Cruises whale watch on Wednesday. According to James Stewart of the Aquarium of the Pacific, the calf was born just hours before.

A brown pelican flies just above the water while on a Harbor Breeze Cruises whale watching tour in Long Beach Jan. 23, 2019. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
A gray whale is spotted just breaking the surface of the water during a Harbor Breeze Cruises whale watch in Long Beach Jan. 23, 2019. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
A fishing boat heads out to sea from Long Beach in Long Beach Jan. 23, 2019. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
A sea lion swims next to a Harbor Breeze Cruises whale watch in Long Beach Jan. 23, 2019. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
A sea lion swims next to a Harbor Breeze Cruises whale watch in Long Beach Jan. 23, 2019. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Brown pelicans fly in formation past a Harbor Breeze Cruises whale watch in Long Beach Jan. 23, 2019. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
A pod of dolphins swims past the Harbor Breeze Cruises ship during a whale watch in Long Beach Jan. 23, 2019. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
Dolphins swim along the Harbor Breeze Cruises ship during a whale watch in Long Beach Jan. 23, 2019. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
A pod of dolphins swims past the Harbor Breeze Cruises ship during a whale watch in Long Beach Jan. 23, 2019. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
A brown pelican flies by along with other birds during a Harbor Breeze Cruises whale watch in Long Beach Jan. 23, 2019. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
A pod of dolphins swims past the Harbor Breeze Cruises ship during a whale watch in Long Beach Jan. 23, 2019. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
A brown pelican flies by during a Harbor Breeze Cruises whale watch in Long Beach Jan. 23, 2019. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
A gray whale is spotted just breaking the surface of the water during a Harbor Breeze Cruises whale watch in Long Beach Jan. 23, 2019. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
A newborn gray whale calf is spotted during a Harbor Breeze Cruises whale watch in Long Beach Jan. 23, 2019. According to the Aquarium of the Pacific, the calf was born just hours before. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
A gray whale is spotted alongside its newborn calf during a Harbor Breeze Cruises whale watch in Long Beach Jan. 23, 2019. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
A gray whale is spotted just breaking the surface of the water during a Harbor Breeze Cruises whale watch in Long Beach Jan. 23, 2019. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.
A gray whale is spotted alongside its newborn calf during a Harbor Breeze Cruises whale watch in Long Beach Jan. 23, 2019. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.