Month: August 2017

08-15-2017: Incredible Humpback Whale Spectacle Feeding With Sea Lions in Front of Moss Landing

Monterey Bay Humpback Whales This humpback kept spyhoping. This is when they pop their big head out of the water to take a look around. Photo: Sack

Moss Landing Humpback Whales Humpback whale in front the Moss Landing Marine Lab building just outside of Moss Landing Harbor. Photo; Sack

Moss Landing Mola Mola Lots of Mola Molas out in the Monterey Bay right now. Photo: Sack

Monterey Bay Mola Mola Mola Mola

Moss Landing continues to be the spot to be for whale watching. We’re on the action within ten minutes from leaving the harbor. Kind of funny the hundreds of people coming out on the boats from Monterey have to spend over an hour before they see anything. All the Monterey Bay whale watching boats end up right in front of our harbor in front of Moss Landing.

Monterey Bay Sea Lions We’ve been seeing hundreds of sea lions feeding right in the middle of the mighty humpback whales. Photo: Sack

Be whale wise and come out of Moss Landing. We’re on the action within minutes from leaving the harbor. Not to mention you won’t be elbow to elbow with 150 strangers per boat. We only take about 30 people per trip on the Sanctuary. It’s a much better experience.

08-09-2017: Humpback Whales Still Feeding in Large Numbers in Front of Moss Landing, Risso’s Dolphins Show up, Elephant Seals and More

Moss Landing Humpback Whales Humpback whales fluke up as they go down for a dive. Photo: Michael Sack, 08-09-2017

Check out this incredible friendly whale encounter we had a few days ago. Just amazing. Friendly humpback Whale Video

The amazing humpback whale action continues just outside the Moss Landing Harbor. This is the new normal for Moss Landing. It’s been really incredible. We’ve also has excellent marine conditions. Smooth and calm. Although today the conditions whipped up pretty bad in the afternoon but calmed as the sunset.

Monterey Bay Risso's Dolphins Risso’s dolphins show up a little further out. Photo: Michael Sack, 08-09-2017.

Speaking of sunsets, the sun was nearly red when it when down tonight. Pretty crazy colors. It looks like we’re starting to get into our fall cycle. This is by far the best time to come to the Monterey Bay area.

Moss Landing Sunset Sunset in Moss Landing. Photo: Michael Sack, 08-09-2017.

The weather can be fantastic. More sunshine, warm conditions and incredible sun rises and sunsets. Plus the whales seem to ramp up the feeding behavior before they head to Southern Mexico and Central America for the winter to breed and give birth. There is not a lot food for them down there, so they will not eat for 3-4 months during that time. And they know this. So they are doing their last feast for a few months.

Moss Landing Humpback Whales Humpback whales working together feeding. Photo: Michael Sack, 08-09-2017.

07-31-2017: Humpback Whale Surface Feeding Continues in Front of Moss Landing

Check out this humpback whale lunge-feeding video.
Here is some drone footage from yesterday morning’s trip! You can not only see the humpback whales lunge feed among the sea lions, but watch for them underneath the surface as they twist and turn, constantly chasing the anchovy bait ball. It is a thrill to be able to watch this behavior from a bird’s eye view!
Filmed by: Chase Dekker, www.sanctuarycruises.com

The lunge-feeding continues out in front of Moss Landing. Photo: Dekker.