Month: December 2016

12-15-2016 Humpback Whales and Common Dolphins feeding 3 miles from Moss Landing

The weekend forecast looks calm and clear, and the whales are still here feeding. Conditions were lovely on Wednesday and there were scattered humpbacks feeding within a few short miles of Moss Landing, as well as Common Dolphins. Sunday we had an extended observation of Risso’s Dolphins all around the boat and some really nice viewing of humpback whales.

12-04-2016: 20+ Humpback Whales Feeding Close to Moss Landing Harbor, 300+ Common Dolphins

Monterey Bay Dolphins About 300 long-beaked common dolphins come up along side of the boat. Photo: Chace Dekker, sanctuarycruises.com 12-03-2016.

We’ve been having some of the best trips of the year over the last couple of weeks. The marine conditions and weather. We’ve also had some great light for photographs. It’s a great time to get out and get some amazing photographs. Not only have we excellent lighting, we’ve also had some very light passengers loads. So if you want a little elbow room, get out there now while the last humpback whale feast before they head south for the winter is on. There seems to be about 20 humpbacks sticking around just a few miles from the Moss Landing Harbor. We’ve also been seeing large numbers of Long-beaked common dolphins.

Monterey Bay Dolphins The common dolphins are very playful and aerobatic. Photo: Chace Dekker, sanctuarycruises.com 12-03-2016

All the Monterey boats have been coming over the the Moss Landing area to see the humpbacks. All the humpbacks are hanging near Moss Landing lately. Who knows, this may be another year where some of the humpbacks stay in the Monterey Bay instead of migrating to their breeding and calving grounds in Southern Mexico.

Monterey Bay Dolphins We often see them search us out and then come along side, behind, and in front of the boat as they use the energy from our wake to surf. Photo: Chace Dekker, sanctuarycruises.com 12-05-2016

It’s somewhat unusual to have this many humpbacks still going strong feeding at this time of year. So who knows? Stay tuned and we’ll keep you updated. Photos: Chace Dekker, sanctuarycruises.com 12-03-2016.