The sighting is unusual because gray whales have never been seen south of the equator. The species usually lives in the north Pacific and was hunted so heavily in the 1800’s they nearly became extinct.
The scientists who spotted the giant mammal were looking for dolphins off the coast of Nambia.
There was also a sighting in the Mediterranean in 2010 making marine biologists think the whales may be recovering from their low numbers and expanding their migration routes.
Grays were known as devil fish by the whalers who hunted them because of the way they fought and defended their young.
More recently the animals have allowed tour boats close enough that they can be touched by those inside.