2019 10-29 SB Channel The slight morning breeze died down immediately and the day was sunny and wonderful. Sightings included 1500 long-beaked common dolphins and 3 humpback whales. Most of the action was located near the NOAA buoy and slightly south of it. There were many groups of dolphins each numbering in the hundreds. They were common throughout the zone …
A beautiful mugging.
2019 10-26 SB Channel Wonderful mill pond glassy conditions prevailed all day long. There was no swell and the above-water vistas included all 4 islands. We watched 3 humpback whales and 2500 long-beaked common dolphins. As often happens, these numbers do not tell the exciting story of today’s epic encounter. A huge pod of dolphins that stretched for miles brought …
Gorgeous conditions, wonderful sightings!
2019 10-25 SB Channel Glassy seas with little to no wind or swell made wildlife finding/watching a dream. Skies were clear and one could see from Bony Mountain to the far east all the way to San Miguel to the far west. Incredible! Sightings for the day included 2 humpback whales, 2000 long-beaked common dolphins and 600 short-beaked common dolphins. …
Adventure on the high seas! 9 humpback whales and loads of dolphins!
2019 10-24 SB Channel Santa Ana (NE) winds that created extreme fire danger to the southeast of us crept offshore and into our region of the Channel today. With a small prevailing west swell interacting with wind and seas from the east, one might say the ocean surface was a bit “confused.” But, alas, what seems a little bumpy to …
Sparkling day with humpbacks and plenty of dolphins.
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 …
Sunny and bumpy with good dolphin & whale sightings
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 …
Surfing humpback and dolphins too!
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 …
Humpbacks in the wind: what a show! …dolphins too!
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 …
Breaching and lunge-feeding whales, plus many hundreds of dolphins.
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 …
9 humpbacks and yet another unique feeding behavior; dolphins too!
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 …