Humpback Whales and Long-Beaked Common Dolphins in Monterey Bay

During our mid-day private charter aboard Meridian, we came upon an impressive multi-species feeding frenzy in Monterey Bay. We observed fifteen humpback whales lunging through a dense bait ball, surrounded by approximately two hundred California sea lions actively feeding in the same concentrated patch of water.

Bait balls form as small schooling fish pack tightly together as a defensive response to predators approaching from below. Despite brisk northwest winds blowing at 21.4 knots and creating a light chop on the surface, the humpbacks and sea lions efficiently worked the school, surfacing repeatedly in the turbulent water.

Alongside the primary feeding activity, we had exceptional looks at a pod of forty-five long-beaked common dolphins. The pod moved steadily through the area in close formation, offering our guests clear views as the animals surfaced together in the chop.

Watching humpbacks, sea lions, and dolphins utilizing the same feeding area is a steady reminder of the productivity in Monterey Bay. Even as conditions grew sportier toward the end of our run, the bay offered an instructive look at its rich dynamic food web.