2019 08-05 SB Channel Three humpback whales and 1500 long-beaked common dolphins were closely watched. The day started with moderately thick overcast conditions, but skies became blue and sunny just after noon. No wind issues today, but a light bump from the northwest kept it interesting. There were small pods of dolphins here and there, starting about 5 miles south …
Humpback “Dos Equis” shows its unique feeding style again today.
2019 08-04 SB Channel – West Finding wildlife in dense fog is a skill learned through years of practice on top of loads of talent. Captain Colton and the Condor Express team had plenty of practice today, and pulled-out some fantastic sightings nonetheless. Totals for this foggy day included: 4+ humpback whales and 2000 long-beaked common dolphins. Dolphins like the …
Offshore bottlenose join the commons and humpbacks today!
2019 08-03 SB Channel Sunny skies all day today. Yay! Seas were calm, with little or no wind. Totals for the trip included: 50 offshore bottlenose dolphins, at least 1000 long-beaked common dolphins, and 5 humpback whales. The hotspot off UCSB moved out a little bit today. We were 8 to 10 miles offshore when we started picking up the wildlife. …
Humpback fun; dolphins all over.
2019 08-02 SB Channel The thick, ground-level fog hung around all morning and finally broke to completely sunny, blue skies. The wind was nill and that bump from the western Channel continued. Sightings were very good: 7 humpback whales and 1500+ long-beaked common dolphins. Action centers were found south and southwest of Holly again today. Among the interesting whale things …
Good amounts of humpbacks and common dolphins.
2019 08-01 SB Channel Skies were sunny all day. The sea surface started out calm, with a little bit of a swell, but ended up quite windy towards the end of the trip on our way home. Of course with the wind behind us, the ride home was smooth. Sightings for the day included 8 humpback whales, and 2000+ long-beaked common …
Mother Lode conditions today
2019 07-31 SB Channel Skies were clear and sunny all day. Although the morning started out a bit windy and rough, things kept getting better throughout the trip. The second half was actually very nice. Totals for the day included: 11+ humpback whales and 3000+ long-beaked common dolphins. A true mother lode of whales and dolphins was located today, with …
Surface lunge feeding.
2019 07-30 SB Channel Captain Colton and the crew of the Condor Express traversed the Santa Barbara Channel and ended up in the eastern regions. Skies were overcast, there was little to no wind, but there was a residual bump from stronger winds to the northwest. Sightings included: 4 humpback whales and 750 long-beaked common dolphins. Dolphins were scattered across …
A breaching, friendly Minke and lots more.
2019 07-29 SB Channel It was overcast, but winds were very light and there was no swell. Conditions were good for finding and watching cetaceans. Sightings today included 1 Minke whale, 3 humpback whales and 500 long-beaked common dolphins. Not far from the harbor a single Minke whale was located. The animal breached, then proceeded to run alongside the Condor …
Humpbacks and fog horns
2019 07-28 SB Channel The wind and seas we experienced yesterday subsided and the sea surface was very nice. On the other hand, we drove around the Santa Barbara Channel in dense fog all day. Let’s stop for a moment and shout out to Captain Dave. He drove around yesterday for 8 hours with strong winds and challenging seas, yet …
American Cetacean Society all-day trip yields breach fest.
2019 07-27 SB Channel – ACS This was the annual, 8-hour, American Cetacean Society all day whale watch on the Condor Express. Seas had a moderate chop and swell. The breeze ran from moderate to brisk. Skies were blue and it was sunny all day. Sightings included 17+ humpback whales and around 1500 common dolphins. Due to sea conditions it …
