2021 01-19 New Engines – update Greetings from the Condor Express staff and a Happy 2021 to all. As the new year starts we’ve been busy every day in the boat yard. We’re engaged in a major project removing and replacing all 4 of our engines. The original engines served us well since we launched in 2002 and needed replacing … Read More
2020 12-21 Update Recent video shows old engine removal. (courtesy of Captain Dave). Greetings and Happy Holidays to all! It has been a few weeks since my last report. As most of you know, the Condor Express is currently hauled-out and in the boat yard for maintenance and construction. I wanted to give you a brief update on our progress. … Read More
2020 11-28 SB Channel Weather and sea conditions were perfect. The ocean was glassy and very clear. Skies were blue and sunny. Sightings were fantastic with 4 giant blue whales, 1 fin whale and 1500 long-beaked common dolphins. The first cetacean encounter occurred in The Lanes with a tight group of at least 1000 dolphins located the Condor Express. Soon … Read More
2020 11-27 SB Channel There are only 2 trips left in 2020 (more on this later). Captain Dave and his crew had a phenomenal early morning trip that left the dock at 8am under clear blue skies and bright sunshine. A bit of fall Santa Ana winds to the east (Oxnard, Malibu) created an unusual short interval swell from the … Read More
2020 11-22 SB Channel Although the sun was shining brightly, it was a bit chilly in the Channel due to the fresh breeze and moderate seas. Luckily, these kinds of conditions can magnify spouts and spray and actually make spotting cetaceans no problem at all. Sightings today included 5 humpback whales and 3500 long-beaked common dolphins. Small groups of dolphins … Read More
2020 11-21 SB Channel The blues were back and they had company! It was another gorgeous day. Blue skies were capped by wispy high clouds. The surface was lightly rippled except along the north face of Santa Cruz Island where it was breezy and cool. Sightings were phenomenal: 5+ giant blue whales, 4 humpback whales, 1 big fin whale and … Read More
2020 11-20 SB Channel Kelping Day in the Santa Barbara Channel. Two island whale watching trips left the dock today, the first at 8am, the second at 1pm. Sea conditions were spectacular with a glassy ocean surface all day. A bit of patchy fog in the early morning gave way to sunny skies. Sightings included 12+ kelping humpback whales and … Read More
2020 11-19 SB Channel Some might call it divine intervention. Others recognize the skills and experience of Captain Dave. After finding zero visibility fog on the whale grounds, a small clear patch of sun (also known as a “sucker hole”) resulted in: 2 giant blue whales and 1000 long-beaked common dolphins. There was general 1 mile visibility fog as we … Read More
2020 11-15 SB Channel Captain Colton and the crew of the Condor Express ran south to The Lanes and found a tremendous hotspot that resulted in one of the most epic days we’ve had this week. Skies were sunny and bright. Seas were glassy with only a little bump left over from yesterday‘s wind. Sightings today included: 10+ humpback whales, … Read More
2020 11-14 Santa Cruz Isl Captain Dave reported very clear blue skies and bright sun all day as he took the Condor Express across the Santa Barbara Channel towards Santa Cruz Island. Seas were a bit bumpy due to a moderate wind. Sightings included 1 fin whale and 800 long-beaked common dolphins. North of The Lanes a wonderful megapod of … Read More
