Visitors to Balboa Pier in Newport Beach were treated to an unexpected and unforgettable show over the weekend as a small pod of dolphins appeared just off the shore, swimming playfully among beachgoers.

Local resident Angelica Torres captured the moment on video, showing at least three dolphins gliding through the waves near swimmers. 

In the footage, the dolphins can be seen looping back toward the spectators, swimming in circular patterns that some onlookers described as “performing” for the crowd.

“What started as a relaxing Sunday at Newport Beach quickly turned into an unforgettable experience,” Torres told NesNation affiliate KTLA. “Suddenly, fins broke the surface of the water, and we realized we were witnessing something special. A pod of about three dolphins swimming remarkably close to shore.”

According to Torres, a few adventurous beachgoers even joined in the moment, catching waves alongside the dolphins as they moved through the waves.

“It was an absolute highlight,” she added, “particularly because seeing dolphins was completely unexpected on a day we were simply enjoying the beautiful local weather.”

After spending several minutes delighting swimmers and spectators alike, the dolphins eventually moved on.