Blue Whale, Humpback Whales, and Risso's Dolphins in Monterey Bay

During our morning trip aboard Sanctuary, remarkably calm conditions across Monterey Bay provided excellent visibility, highlighted by a sighting of a single blue whale alongside fifteen humpback whales.

Blue whales rely on dense krill aggregations supported by deep ocean upwelling near the Monterey Submarine Canyon. Observing a blue whale in proximity to fifteen humpback whales offers a clear look at how nutrient-rich waters sustain multiple baleen whale species simultaneously.

In addition to the large whales, we encountered a pod of twenty-five Risso's dolphins traveling through the flat water, along with fifty California sea lions. Data from Buoy 46042 near the canyon rim reflected the tranquil conditions, noting light SSE winds at 5.8 knots and a water temperature of 61.9°F.

Days like today underscore the quiet complexity of Monterey Bay. Watching these distinct marine mammal species share the same body of water remains a rewarding observation after all these years.