A Blue Whale and Vertical Lunge Feeding Humpbacks

Calm and clear conditions over Monterey Bay set the stage for remarkable marine mammal encounters throughout the day. During our afternoon trip, operating alongside our RHIB Ocean Spirit, we observed humpback whales engaging in dramatic vertical lunge feeding directly through dense bait balls near the surface.

Lunge feeding is an energetic feeding strategy where whales accelerate upward from depth with gape opened wide, engulfing large volumes of water and concentrated forage fish. A total of 25 humpback whales and roughly 200 California sea lions worked the feeding frenzy, while two sea otters rested in quieter water nearby.

Earlier during our mid-day run aboard Sanctuary, we encountered a solitary blue whale that remained near the surface for extended intervals. The calm seas allowed for exceptionally clear views of the animal surfacing and diving along the bay's deep water boundary.

Days where prey consolidates near the surface offer an invaluable window into the rich ecosystem of the Monterey Canyon. Observing both blue and humpback whales effectively foraging in close proximity remains a highlight for anyone watching these waters.