Humpback Whales and Curious Risso's Dolphins Northwest of Moss Landing

Leaving Moss Landing on a glassy morning aboard Sanctuary, we initially encountered several solitary humpback whales. As we pushed northwest, activity condensed into pairs and triplets working in tight coordination with a group of approximately one hundred California sea lions to feed beneath the smooth surface.

Multi-species feeding groups like these are common in Monterey Bay, where sea lions and humpbacks feast on the same schooling baitfish. Later in the morning, a small pod of five Risso's dolphins, including a juvenile, altered course to approach our vessel, spending several minutes near the hull. Risso's dolphins are deep-water specialists, and juveniles typically display a dark gray coloration that lightens with age as social scar tissue accumulates.

Our morning trip logged a total of twelve humpback whales along our track. Nearer to the harbor, we also observed four sea otters and two harbor seals, taking full advantage of the flat water to spot marine life across the surface.

Days with zero surface chop offer a clear look into the routine behaviors of Monterey Bay marine mammals.