Curious Humpback Whales Approach the Meridian off Moss Landing

Calm conditions greeted Meridian off Moss Landing during our morning departure. The most striking encounter occurred when three humpback whales approached closely, circling the vessel, passing directly underneath the hull, and surfacing steadily along our sides in the flat water.

This kind of close approach—often referred to as inquisitive or boat-friendly behavior—is something we see periodically when humpbacks take a break from active foraging. In glassy water, their spatial precision is easy to appreciate as they roll slightly to bring an eye toward the surface, displaying their long pectoral flippers and white ventral pleats clearly beneath the boat.

Across the morning survey, we recorded roughly twenty-five humpback whales scattered throughout the area. Substantial bird life accompanied the whales over food sources, with counts of 120 Brandt’s cormorants, 100 brown pelicans, 100 common murres, and 60 sooty shearwaters working the calm surface.

Having large baleen whales choose to spend time inspecting a quiet vessel is always a reminder of their awareness and curiosity in these productive coastal waters.