Humpback Whale Flopsy and Common Dolphins Near Moss Landing

Our mid-day departure aboard Sanctuary enjoyed exceptionally calm, clear conditions today, with light northwest winds of just under six knots. The highlight of the trip occurred just outside of Moss Landing, where we encountered a group of fifteen humpback whales. Among them was a well-known local resident, "Flopsy," who, along with several companions, treated us to consistent, high-angle fluke displays as they initiated deeper feeding dives.

These deep dives indicate the whales were targeting dense schools of small forage fish or krill down in the submarine canyon. When humpbacks raise their tail flukes high above the water's surface, it helps them angle their bodies downward for a steeper, more efficient descent into the deeper, nutrient-rich layers of the bay.

Further offshore, the surface of the bay came alive with a highly active multi-species feeding association. We observed a massive pod of long-beaked common dolphins, estimated at over a thousand individuals, traveling and socializing alongside approximately fifty California sea lions. The sea lions and dolphins often feed cooperatively, utilizing their combined speed to herd baitfish toward the surface. It was also a pleasure to see our sister vessel, Ocean Spirit, operating nearby on the water.

With water temperatures holding steady at 56.1°F, the productivity of the Monterey Canyon remains highly evident. Observing these complex interspecies dynamics under such calm, glassy conditions is a reminder of how vital this deep-water habitat is to both resident and migratory marine mammals.