Tag: killer whales

05-09-2018: Killer Whales Again, Humpback Whales and Drone Video from Orca Encounter Last Week

The sightings have been incredible over the last couple of weeks. And today was no different. We have pretty much been seeing killer whales daily on our longer trips. 10:30 departure every day. Humpback whales right outside the harbor. The killer whale have been in about the same spot for the last few days feeding on a gray whale calf carcass that they took down.

Here is some intense drone footage shot by one our captains / naturalists last week. Check it out:

05-07-2018: Humpbacks, Gray Whales, Orcas, Risso’s Dolphins, Pacific White-sided Dolphins and More

Breaching Killer Whale
Emma the mighty killer whale doing a breach. Photo: Dekker, Sanctuarycruises.com

The Spring marine life action is kicking into high gear. We have had active killer whales in The Bay for the last couple of weeks. Pretty much been seeing them everyday on the 10:30 AM trips. We have already observed at least three gray calf predation events. Also many other sightings of orcas throughout The Bay.

Breaching Humpback Whale
Humpback whale does a full breach. Photo: Dekker, www.sanctuarycruises.com

We have also seen increased humpback whale surface-feeding activity. Not the kind of rampant vertical lunge-feeding we like to see, but there has been some random vertical and side lunging. Of course there is always the old random breach and tail lob routine. Lots of humpbacks in The Bay right now.

Monterey Bay Killer Whales
Monterey Bay killer whales on the prowl. Photo: Dekker, www.sanctuarycruises.com

We have heard reports of scattered humpbacks throughout all parts of The Bay and north and south. We’ve also been seeing the occasional passing gray whale mother and calf. Many humpbacks have been feeding right out in front of Moss Landing Harbor.

Moss Landing Lunge-feeding Humpback-whales
Humpback whales do a vertical, surface lunge-feed in front of Moss Landing. Photo: Dekker, www.sanctuarycruises.com

I’ve heard from commercial fisherman coming from north of Santa Cruz that there is a lot of krill about 6-10 miles out off the north coast and further out into the middle of The Bay. He also said he saw large numbers of blue whales.

Monterey Bay Killer Whale
Monterey Bay killer whale cruising. Photo: Dekker, www.sanctuarycruises.com

The thinking is that with the predominant Northwesterly flow and the southbound California current, the krill and whales will eventually end up down here in the Monterey Bay. So that’s what we’re hoping for. We’ll keep you updated.

Monterey Bay Pacific White-sided dolphin
A Pacific white-sided dolphin cruises alongside the boat. Photo: Dekker, www.sanctuarycruises.com

04-05-2016 Amazing Orca Encounter Gray Whale Calf Predation Event

Check out some video from today:

Today was one of the most enjoyable and entertaining days ever out on Sanctuary  for Orca lovers.  We came upon a small pod of six Orcas just after they had killed a gray whale calf. We missed the actual predation event (which for some might seem a relief) but were able to hang with these whales for over two and a half solid hours in the same place while they milled about, frolicked and dove down below to munch on the gray whale carcass. We only got a brief glimpse of the poor gray whale calf as it bobbed up for less than a minute to the surface. So this was not a gory or gruesome observation event.  Instead, we had active, curious and playful Orcas putting on a show to the delight of our passengers. There were three major highlights: a full sized male orca charging at our boat and then taking THREE breaches right next to the boat, the same male swimming at our bow, then cruising along the full side and back of the boat within two feet giving us all a thrill of a lifetime and then having four large orcas blasting towards us from the outer bay and taking a synchronous airborne leap right next to the boat.  There was enough tail slapping and close surfacings to keep everyone enthralled for the entire trip. A separate pod of four Orcas came blasting in from the Outer Bay and spent the last hour with us as well. We can only assume they were partaking in some of the meal as well. A bit unusual was the presence of two rather stationary humpback whales right at the predation scene. They bobbed up and down taking breaths and hung around for the first half hour which was indeed curious. A black-footed albatross came in and circled for the last hour giving all excellent views of this awesome seabird.  Well – this spring Orca season is getting off to a grand beginning.  We expect this to continue through mid-May with the northbound gray whale mother:calf pairs coming through Monterey Bay in strong numbers. What an amazing Orca day!