Hunting Orcas and Breaching Humpback Whales in Monterey Bay

Today's morning trip began with humpback whales treating our passengers to repeated breaches and tail throws. While we were with the humpbacks, about a hundred long-beaked common dolphins fed alongside.

This active scene quieted suddenly when the whales, dolphins and birds all slowed their activity or disappeared from sight. Superficially, the eery calm that ensued was a bad sign for our trip; however, moments later, our hopes were realized when we received word that orca had been sighted to west.

We dashed to the location of the orca, and were rewarded with an extended encounter with two killer whale groups that were actively hunting California sea lions and long-beaked common dolphins. While the presence of orca nearby put the other animals on alert and reduced their surface behaviors, this loss was more than offset by the unforgettable sight of the apex predators of the the sea showing off their speed, intelligence and stealth.