Three Humpback Whales and Thirteen Orcas Offshore

Our mid-day run aboard Sanctuary was highlighted by a remarkable encounter with thirteen orcas. We were already heading back toward the harbor after spending time with humpbacks when a local fisherman radioed in a report of the killer whales, allowing us to redirect and locate the pod in the light chop.

Observing thirteen orcas together is a significant event in Monterey Bay. These apex predators often travel in coordinated family groups, utilizing the deep canyon edges of the bay to hunt and navigate as they pass through the region.

Earlier in the trip, we observed three humpback whales. These baleen whales were moving steadily through the bay, displaying typical travel patterns with regular surfacing intervals before we turned our attention to the orca report.

This excursion highlights the collaborative nature of our local seafaring community. The quick communication from a working fishing vessel allowed us to document these transient marine mammals during their passage through the bay.