2021 12-18 SB Channel Capt. Dave and the crew encountered flat seas with sunny skies except for small, shallow fog bank near the west end of Santa Cruz Island. Sightings today included 2 humpback whales, 75 offshore bottlenose dolphins and 1200 long-beaked common dolphins. The excursion ran across The Channel to Santa Cruz, then west to Carrington Point, and home … Read More

2021 12-17 SB Channel After two days sitting safely at the dock as the wind and rain came through, our trip today was special. In addition to the nice, sunny weather and calm seas, we closely watched 6 different species of marine mammals. Sightings included: 50 Risso’s dolphins, 1 gray whale, 2 humpback whales, 300+ offshore bottlenose dolphins, 400 long-beaked … Read More

2021 12-12 SB Channel Captain Devin and his crew hit the jackpot. The skies were clear and sunny; seas were calm. Sightings for the day included 998 long-beaked common dolphins, 500+ Risso’s dolphins and 5 Bigg’s killer whales. I was in NorCal and, once again, missed the action.  Sigh. About 5 miles SE of Santa Barbara Harbor, we watched our … Read More

2021 12-11 SB Channel It was so gorgeous in the Channel today that all 4 islands, from Anacapa to San Miguel, were clearly visible. Our trek took us from a brief coastal search to a Channel crossing ending up in the Santa Cruz Channel (between Santa Cruz Island and Santa Rosa Island). Sightings included: 2 coastal bottlenose dolphins, 400 long-beaked … Read More

2021 12-05 SB Channel Captain Devin and his crew found good conditions in the Channel with clear, hazy skies and calm seas. Sightings included: 1 humpback whale and 300 long -beaked common dolphins. The crew also removed 3 more deflated balloons from the ocean surface which potentially saved marine animal’s lives. A small herd of dolphins was watched for a … Read More

2021 12-03 SB Channel Morning high clouds burned off in the afternoon to reveal bright blue and sunny skies.  Seas were calm and the morning surface was glassy. Sightings included: 1 humpback whale, 1 Minke whale, 250 long-beaked common dolphins and 150 California sea lions. In addition, the crew retrieved 3 deflated Mylar balloons from the ocean surface including a … Read More

2021 11-28 SB Channel Captain Devin and his crew had only one major challenge today: dense, on the deck, fog. The fog monster took up residence starting just 5 miles offshore and blanketed the entire Channel. Despite these conditions, the following observations were recorded: 1500 long-beaked common dolphins and 1 humpback whale. At the 5-mile point a mega pod of … Read More

2021 11-27 SB Channel As Captain Dave said, it was “…an epic day. The weather was just drop dead gorgeous with beautiful, flat, calm seas and blue skies.” A nice diversity of mammal species was closely watched, including: 1000 long-beaked common dolphins, 750 short-beaked common dolphins, 75 offshore bottlenose dolphins. 40 Risso’s dolphins and 1 humpback whale. Wow! The action … Read More

2021 11-26 SB Channel Three humpback whales and 1200 long-beaked common dolphins provided loads of enjoyment and great looks in the Channel today. In addition, the crew pulled 4 dangerous, deflated Mylar balloons from the ocean surface to help save marine animals from a potentially horrible fate. Small pods of dolphins were first encountered about 5 miles south of UCSB. … Read More

2021 11-24 SB Channel Although there were some Santa Ana winds to the southeast of us, the weather in the Channel was spectacular today. No wind. Bright sun. Glassy seas. Sightings were good as well: 4 humpback whales, 3000 long-baked common dolphins and 200 California sea lions. The crew also removed 5 deflated, floating, Mylar helium balloons AND 1 empty … Read More