2019 10-23 SB Channel We experienced absolutely stunning weather and sea conditions in the Channel today. Skies were bright blue and winds ranged from zero to just about 10 knots. It was just enough to make the water sparkly but not rough. We ran across the Channel in search of whales and dolphins and found plenty of life. There were …
2019 10-18 SB Channel The crazy Santa Ana winds that blew all night proceeded to die down all morning and they never really presented any kind of problem on today’s whale watch trip. Skies were blue and sunny, but there was a lump on the water from the nocturnal wind. Sightings for the day included: 500 long-beaked common dolphins and 4 humpback …
2019 10-17 SB Channel A very hearty seafaring group of whale watchers ventured forth into a windy and slightly bumpy Santa Barbara Channel today in search of wildlife. Captain Dave in the crew did everything they could to make the ride will be as smooth as possible. After slowly negotiating the oncoming wind and swells, the Condor Express ended up about …
2019 10-16 SB Channel A private/corporate whale watching charter saw over 1000 long-beaked common dolphins and 2 very active humpback whales. Skies were overcast and there was a moderate breeze, especially out in The Lanes where some of the action was located. Common dolphins were spread out everywhere and per usual loving the wind and associated waves. Our first whale …
2019 10-15 SB Channel A cruise ship load went whale watching and had amazing sightings. Skies were blue, and the wind did not kick up until the afternoon. Closely watched species were 1500 long-beaked common dolphins and 5 humpback whales. The first 3 whales were located about 10 miles out, and spread across a 3 mile swath with plenty of …
2019 10-13 SB Channel Seas were glassy and calm. The skies were sunny except for a single, dense fog patch that lasted 15 minutes. Sightings included 1 coastal bottlenose dolphin, 1500 long-beaked common dolphins and 9 humpback whales. The lone bottlenose was found near the harbor entrance and inside both buoys. The rest of its pod was nowhere to be …
2019 10-11 SB Channel Conditions were right for a trans-Channel voyage and a visit to the northwestern region of beautiful Santa Cruz Island (“Island of the Holy Cross”). All 4 northern islands were clearly visible under dramatic blue skies. Sea had that strange little bumpiness that it gets when the west wind chop meets a Santa Ana-type east wind. But …
2019 10-10 SB Channel Skies were full of a warm, hazy sun. Seas were calm and the breeze was light. Great sightings were had today with 4 humpback whales and 2000 long-beaked common dolphins closely watched. We intercepted our first large pod of dolphins about 10 miles south of Santa Barbara harbor, on a course headed for the western end …
2019 10-09 SB Channel Captain Dave and the crew experienced flat, calm seas all day. Skies were shrouded by a thick marine stratus layer. Totals for the trip included 5 humpback whales and 1500 long-beaked common dolphins. Dolphins first approached the Condor Express when we were about 10 miles offshore. They were around during all of our sightings for the …
2019 10-06 SB Channel Glassy smooth seas and sunny skies enhanced the wildlife viewing again today as Captain Colton ran across the Santa Barbara Channel and had great luck near The Lanes. He reported 9 humpback whales and 1000 long-beaked common dolphins. Four whales were encountered near the NOAA buoy along with dolphins. Dolphins were around all day thereafter. The …
