Humpback Whales Vertical Lunge Feeding under Clear Skies

Under clear skies and comfortable summer conditions, our morning and mid-day runs aboard Sanctuary were highlighted by the sight of eight humpback whales actively vertical lunge-feeding. We observed several individuals breaking the surface vertically with their mouths wide open, engulfing large volumes of water and prey.

Vertical lunge-feeding is a highly coordinated, energetic feeding strategy. Humpbacks use their expandable throat grooves, or ventral pleats, to balloon their mouths around schools of small forage fish. Seeing them propel their massive bodies straight up through the water column requires immense power and precise timing.

Conditions on the bay were favorable today, with a light west-northwest wind of 9.7 knots and a gentle 5.2-foot swell at a 9-second period. The water temperature hovered at 60.3°F. Across both the morning and mid-day departures, the combination of a light chop and clear visibility made it easy to spot the whales' tall blows and follow their feeding patterns.

Observing these large baleen whales feeding so dynamically close to the surface is a reminder of the rich productivity of the Monterey Canyon. It is always a privilege to watch these seasoned ocean travelers during their summer feeding season.