Surfing Humpbacks and Common Dolphins in Monterey Bay

Operating in the stiff northwest winds that frequently sweep across the bay in July, our trips aboard Sanctuary today encountered challenging but rewarding conditions. The highlight was a single humpback whale utilizing the rough, choppy seas to its advantage, actively surfing down the faces of the large swells. This dynamic behavior is a remarkable display of these massive animals using the surface energy of the water to conserve effort while traveling.

Alongside this surfing whale, we observed a highly active multi-species gathering. Approximately 250 long-beaked common dolphins and 200 California sea lions were working the surface waters, likely targeting schools of small coastal pelagic fish. Interestingly, the historic vessel Western Flyer was also out in the bay, sharing the water with this concentrated group of feeding marine mammals.

Across our morning, mid-day, and afternoon departures, the elements remained consistently demanding. Buoy 46042 near the canyon rim recorded sustained northwest winds of 21.4 knots and a cool water temperature of 59.9°F. Navigating these rough seas required patience, but the high activity level of the five humpbacks we tracked throughout the day kept our focus sharp.

Days like today remind us that Monterey Bay is a wild, highly productive environment. Even when the wind picks up and the surface turns white with foam, the resident wildlife continues its daily routines of feeding and traveling, entirely at home in the chop.