Trip Reports

Captain's Log

Daily whale sightings and trip reports from Monterey Bay, straight from the water.

Friday, May 15, 2026

Breaching Humpback Whales and Common Dolphin Super-Pods

Spotted: Humpback Whale Long-Beaked Common Dolphin Brown Pelican Pacific White-Sided Dolphin Albatross

We encountered a high concentration of humpback whales today, beginning just a mile outside the harbor. The highlight was a young male near Marina who performed a series of full-body breaches, launching his school-bus-sized frame entirely out of the water. Watching a juvenile test its strength like this offers a rare perspective on the sheer power these animals possess.

Further offshore, we located a pod of approximately 150 long-beaked common dolphins that has been frequenting the bay this week. They were engaged in a multi-species feeding event, surrounded by hundreds of diving brown pelicans and common murres. This type of surface activity often indicates a dense school of forage fish, like anchovies or sardines, being pushed toward the surface by the dolphins from below.

Our morning trip also included sightings of eight Pacific white-sided dolphins and a black-footed albatross, a pelagic bird that typically spends its life far out at sea. Despite the building northwest winds and a ten-foot swell, the visibility remained excellent, allowing us to spot white water from the dolphin pod on the horizon.

Seeing these animals interact within the complex ecosystem of the Monterey Canyon is a reminder of the bay's productivity. It was a privilege to share these sights with our guests, including a visiting bachelorette party, on such a dynamic day at sea.

Gallery

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Feeding Humpback Whale Aggregations and Bow-Riding Common Dolphins

Spotted: Humpback Whale Long-Beaked Common Dolphin California Sea Lion Sea Otter

The morning trip aboard Sanctuary encountered a significant gathering of humpback whales south of the canyon. We observed approximately 30 individuals concentrated in a small area, focused entirely on the dense bait balls below the surface. Despite the choppy sea state, the activity was visible from a distance as the whales broke the surface to feed.

These whales were part of a multi-species feeding event. Over 250 California sea lions and various seabirds worked the same schools of forage fish, pushing the bait toward the surface. This behavior allows humpbacks to utilize less energy while lunge-feeding, as the sea lions help to consolidate the fish into tight groups.

Our departure from the harbor was marked by a sighting of a mother sea otter and her pup, while our return journey was accompanied by a pod of long-beaked common dolphins. These dolphins spent several minutes bow-riding, utilizing the pressure wave of the boat to glide through the water with minimal effort.

Observing such a high concentration of marine life in a single area illustrates the seasonal productivity of the Monterey Bay canyon system.

Gallery

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Humpback Whale Breaches and Bow-Riding Dolphins Over the Canyon

Spotted: Humpback Whale Long-Beaked Common Dolphin Sea Otter California Sea Lion Harbor Seal

The morning trip aboard Sanctuary began with exceptionally calm, glassy water, providing the perfect backdrop for a dramatic encounter. A single humpback whale breached just off our starboard side, clearing the surface with its entire body before landing with a massive splash. This individual remained active for some time, transitioning from the breach into a series of pectoral slaps and blows across our bow.

Nearby, two other humpbacks were engaged in vigorous tail throws. These forceful movements of the fluke against the water’s surface are often interpreted as a form of communication or a way to stun small schooling fish. With the water temperature holding at 56.7°F, the bay remains a productive feeding ground for these rorquals as they move through the Monterey Canyon.

As we turned back toward the harbor, we encountered a pod of approximately 150 long-beaked common dolphins. They quickly moved in to bow-ride, utilizing the pressure wave of the vessel to travel efficiently. Along the way, we also noted California sea lions, harbor seals, and a lone sea otter resting near the kelp line.

We have included some photos from today's sightings, capturing the dolphins alongside the hull.

Days like this, where the sea is still and the wildlife is so visible, remind us of the complex ecosystem thriving just a few miles from the harbor mouth.

Monday, May 11, 2026

Humpback Whales and Coastal Wildlife Near the Harbor Mouth

Spotted: Humpback Whale California Sea Lion Sea Otter Brown Pelican Cormorant

The afternoon trip aboard Sanctuary was defined by two humpback whales found just one mile outside the harbor. Despite the rougher sea state and a nearly seven-foot swell, the clear water allowed us to track their movements between frequent surfacings.

Seeing whales this close to shore often indicates that baitfish have moved into the shallower coastal shelf. These humpbacks were likely taking advantage of the nutrient-rich water brought up by the spring winds, a process known as upwelling that fuels the entire Monterey Bay food web.

Our group from Save Our Shores and several young naturalists-in-training watched as the whales moved through the light chop. Along the way, we also encountered fifty California sea lions, sea otters, and a mix of Brandt's cormorants, brown pelicans, and common murres.

A single photo from this afternoon’s encounter is included below, capturing one of the whales as it prepared for a shallow dive.

It is always a privilege to see these animals so close to home, reminding us that the deep canyon's influence reaches right to our doorstep.

Sunday, February 25, 2024

02-25-2024: Spring Action is On, Humpback Whales Show Up off Point Lobos, White-sided Dolphins, Northern Right Whale Dolphins, Northbound Gray Whales

Spotted: Humpback Whale Pacific White-Sided Dolphin Northern Right Whale Dolphin

The Spring action pretty much kicked off today. We came across a couple of humpback whales yesterday. But today they showed up in some decent numbers. We heard reports of 10 plus humpbacks lunge feeding. But by the time we got there they must have went through the school of anchovies they were feeding on. We ended up off Point Lobos, south of the Carmel Bay. The humpbacks were pretty well broken up into a couple of different pairs and with various blows northwest of us. But there was lots of life in the area. There was a mixed pod of 300-500 Pacific White-sided dolphins and Northern Right Whale dolphins. So that was very cool. Hopefully the humpbacks will start making their way closer to Moss Landing. We keep you updated.

Source: Original archive post

Thursday, March 30, 2023

03-30-2023: The Killer Whale Action Heats Up, Gray Whales Heading North

Spotted: Orca Gray Whale

Incredible day on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary yesterday. Excellent weather conditions as well. Sunny and glassy. Oh yeah. And then there were the killer whales. About 15 of them taking on two full-size gray whales. It was quite the spectacle. This is unusual in that we’ve never seen killer whales go full on predation mode against full-size gray whales. Always calves. So that was interesting.

We are still not sure if they were able to take them down. So far, no one has seen a carcass. So the gray whales may have escaped. Excellent start to the killer whale season. We expect to see more of these events from now until late May. So come on out and check out the action when you go See Monterey. It’s pretty incredible.

Source: Original archive post

Monday, July 26, 2021

07-26-2021: Humpbacks continue to put on a show!

Spotted: Humpback Whale Blue Whale Pacific White-Sided Dolphin Mola Mola Albatross

The humpback whales continue to linger in the bay, giving us amazing views on almost every trip! We have been lucky to have multiple mom and calf pairs around Moss Landing, who always seem to know how to perform for the crowds. From breaching, tail-slapping, lunge feeding, and friendly behaviors, we have been seeing it all. Beyond the humpbacks, we have also had great looks at Risso’s dolphins, Pacific white-sided dolphins, blue whales, sunfish, puffins, albatross, and some other wildlife! The summer action couldn’t be better and now is definitely time to get on a boat and go see some whales!

Source: Original archive post

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

06-30-2021: Humpbacks come and going with lots of other wildlife around!

Spotted: Humpback Whale Fin Whale Orca Great White Shark Mola Mola Albatross

June was definitely an interesting month. There were days like we’ve never seen and then days where we thought we were in the quieter off season. The whales have chasing the food up and down the central coast with fishermen reports of large groupings showing up in Pescadero, Bodega Bay, and elsewhere. Of course we have had our own surges in the bay (or just outside it) as well!

Last week we ventured out beyond the edge of the bay and came across over 30 humpbacks! The seas were rough, but the whales were every where, with some lunge feeding groups of 5-6 whales. It was a wonderful event that was rather short-lived as the next day the whales were spread out over a large distance. We think there are many animals out there, but it isn’t exactly close to the harbor, so it is taking us a longer time to transit out to those areas.

This has become rather typical for June where the whales aren’t as reliable as they are in spring and then again from July-November. We don’t know why that is, but it’s nature and it could change any year!

Besides whales, we have been seeing thousands of dolphins, including Risso’s, Pacific white-sided, northern right whales, and bottlenose. The dolphins have been phenomenal with lots of bow riding and surface action! Besides dolphins, we have also seen a variety of other wildlife from salmon sharks, great white sharks, puffins, sunfish, albatross, and so much more! We have not had many blue and fin whales around, it seems they too are either further offshore or up north a little ways according to the fishing boats. Killer whales made only a couple appearances this month, but all the sightings were the pods in transit, so no hunting events in the bay this June.

As July approaches, we can only hope the whales move closer in and that we will begin to see the massive lunge feeding events that we have become accustomed to! There seems to be lots of food around, so we imagine it is only a matter of time before more whales discover it and call more in. Come join us for the best of the summer whale watching!

Source: Original archive post

Saturday, May 15, 2021

05-15-2021: Humpback Whales, Blue Whales, Fin Whales, and Orcas!

Spotted: Fin Whale Humpback Whale Orca Northern Right Whale Dolphin Albatross Shearwater Blue Whale

The past couple weeks have been superb with multiple whale species being spotted in the bay! We have been getting amazing encounters with so many whales it has been hard to keep track. The blue and fin whales have been further out on the edge of the bay feeding on krill, while around 60-100 humpbacks are roaming around all corners of the bay feeding on anchovies and krill. The orcas keep making appearances as well, even as we get towards the end of our spring orca season. We have also been having some nice encounters with dolphins including Risso’s, Pacific white-sided, and northern right whale dolphins! For you birders, we have also seen many black-footed albatross, sooty shearwaters, and even a couple tufted puffins.

On our photo workshop the other day we started the morning off with 4 fin whales and 3 blue whales who were fluking, giving the photographers amazing opportunities to capture rarely seen shots. After a few minutes of leaving that scene, we came across an incredibly active mother and calf humpback whale pair. The pair put on a show for over 3 hours and never stopped! We actually ran out of time and had to leave them behind as they continued the show. They breached around 350-400 times and also performed many other behaviors from tail-lobbing and pectoral-fin slapping.

The spring whale watching show is going strong and now is an incredible time to come out and witness all the wonderful marine life Monterey Bay has to offer!

NOTE: Our Facebook is still down, so please look for updates here or call us!

Source: Original archive post