Humpback Whales and Coastal Wildlife Near the Harbor Mouth

The afternoon trip aboard Sanctuary was defined by two humpback whales found just one mile outside the harbor. Despite the rougher sea state and a nearly seven-foot swell, the clear water allowed us to track their movements between frequent surfacings.

Seeing whales this close to shore often indicates that baitfish have moved into the shallower coastal shelf. These humpbacks were likely taking advantage of the nutrient-rich water brought up by the spring winds, a process known as upwelling that fuels the entire Monterey Bay food web.

Our group from Save Our Shores and several young naturalists-in-training watched as the whales moved through the light chop. Along the way, we also encountered fifty California sea lions, sea otters, and a mix of Brandt's cormorants, brown pelicans, and common murres.

A single photo from this afternoon’s encounter is included below, capturing one of the whales as it prepared for a shallow dive.

It is always a privilege to see these animals so close to home, reminding us that the deep canyon's influence reaches right to our doorstep.