A humpback whale was spotted in a California river, 60 miles from its Pacific Ocean home

On September 18, 2026, fisherman Denny Glover and his friends spotted an adult humpback whale in the Sacramento River near Rio Vista Bridge, about 60 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Initially unsure of what they were seeing, they soon confirmed it was a fully grown humpback after observing its distinct spouting pattern and massive size, which far exceeded their 21-foot boat's length. This sighting is significant as it marks one of the rare instances of a humpback whale appearing so far inland in California.

The whale has been identified by the Marine Mammal Center as CRC-11620 and named Rio. The center advises that while the whale’s health condition remains unclear, the public should maintain a respectful distance to avoid stressing the animal further. Experts are studying this unusual behavior to determine whether the whale is simply exploring new waters or if there might be an underlying medical issue.

The sighting has garnered significant attention from marine biologists and wildlife enthusiasts alike, highlighting the need for responsible observation of such rare occurrences in inland waterways.