More whales being seen off our coast

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — More and more whales are popping up off our coast lately.

Humpback whales are most commonly found near the Cape Fear Region and regularly swim very close to the beach.

From Surf City to Fort Fisher, viewers have captured images of whales within a few hundred feet of the shoreline.

William McLellan with UNCW says the animals are showing up now that the waters have cooled off and will stay here through the spring until the waters warm up again.

Humpback whales were recently taken off the endangered species list by NOAA.

You may also see North Atlantic Right whales nearby, but are not nearly as common, which are heading south to give birth to this winter’s calves.