First you'll see a dolphin pop up. I think it was afraid because a pair of the largest animals that have ever lived on the planet are below, mouths open large enough to swallow a Prius, but scarfing down krill. A day or two before a sea lion popped up even closer, and it seemed to be looking at my face.
At the bottom is a link to the video.
Keep in mind, it is illegal to approach sea mammals this close. However if they want to come visit you, that's OK. As soon as I saw one heading towards me I started paddling out of the way. When it came up to look I stopped. This is when I was surprised by the lead whale.
They knew what they were doing. I'd paddled out there several times to visit. When I saw where they were I would paddle to the general area, then just wait. They'd come up, and usually they were curious enough to take a look, then it seemed like they would use me as a marker buoy for 3-4 dives, coming near, but eventually working away.
Gray whales seem more skittish, possibly because there's a local orca pod (who will pop up for a look from a couple of hundred meters away and uninterested will change direction.)
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