A breathtaking spectacle unfolded off the California coast on Friday morning as a "super pod" of over 1,500 Risso's dolphins was observed leaping and frolicking across the ocean's surface. The massive gathering, stretching for miles across Carmel Bay, was captured on film by Captain Evan Brodsky of Monterey Bay Whale Watch, who described the experience as "amazing" and "unforgettable."

Brodsky and his team, which included marine biologist Colleen Talty, were initially searching for gray whales in their 20-foot inflatable boat when they encountered the incredible dolphin display. Talty recounted how some of the dolphins engaged in bow riding, playfully surfing the waves created by the boat.

"They were breaching everywhere, spy-hopping, tail-slapping, coming right over to the boat," she marveled, adding that the dolphins seemed to be "having a big party, socializing with each other."

According to Talty, such a large aggregation of dolphins is a rare sight. She explained that the "super pod" likely formed as multiple smaller pods, typically consisting of 10 to 30 individuals, converged during their southward migration. Risso’s dolphins are known to grow up to 13 feet long and weigh as much as 1,100 pounds.

The Monterey coastline, with its deep submarine canyon, provides an ideal habitat for Risso's dolphins, allowing them to swim closer to shore than in other areas of California. While both Brodsky and Talty have witnessed large dolphin groups before, they emphasized the rarity and memorability of this particular encounter.