Humpback Whales and Bow-Riding Common Dolphins Outside the Harbor

Right outside the harbor, both our morning and mid-day trips aboard Sanctuary were greeted by immediate marine mammal activity. We observed twenty-two humpback whales scattered near the harbor entrance, accompanied by a energetic pod of one hundred and fifty long-beaked common dolphins.

Several of the common dolphins detached from the main pod to bow-ride alongside our vessel. This draft-riding behavior allows dolphins to conserve energy by riding the hydrodynamic force created by the boat's hull, offering a clear view of their distinct crisscross color patterns against the surface.

Conditions were brisk across both departures, with northwest winds averaging 23.3 knots at the Monterey Canyon buoy and air temperatures hovering around 61°F. Having such a high concentration of humpbacks and dolphins working close to shore allowed us to spend quality time observing their behavior while remaining sheltered from the harsher seas farther out in the bay.

It is always a privilege to watch these species interact so close to home. Even when conditions turn windy, the biological richness of Monterey Bay continues to deliver exceptional observations right at our doorstep.