2018 10-20 SB Channel Sea conditions were off the hook and it was so clear we could see all 4 Channel Islands all day and from Bony Ridge to Point Conception too. “Off the hook” probably best describes our sightings as well. Closely watched cetaceans included 10+ humpback whales and 3000 long-beaked common dolphins. Among the whales was one of …
Fantastic stuff! Whales jumping, porpoises zooming and thousands of dolphins, too.
2018 10-19 SB Channel Wow, what a string of great weather and sea conditions we’ve been experiencing in the Santa Barbara Channel this week! It was drop-dead gorgeous again today, with tons of wildlife to watch as well. Sightings included: 8+ humpback whales, 4 Dall’s porpoise, 2000 long-beaked common dolphins, and 1 elephant seal. Fantastic stuff. Captain Dave and the …
Humpbacks make a big fuss amidst thousands of dolphins
2018 10-18 SB Channel Captain Dave and the crew of the Condor Express worked the northwestern region of the Santa Barbara Channel today. Sightings included 3 (very active) humpback whales and 2000 long-beaked common dolphins. All the action took place about 8 miles out from El Capitán point. Seas were calm, skies were sunny and bright. Our first encounter was …
Two species of whales and over a thousand dolphins
2018 10-17 SB Channel We’ve had a great stretch of weather in the Channel and today was another nice one. It was sunny and it was calm. Captain Dave and his crew ran across the Santa Barbara Channel and ended up west of Santa Cruz Island. Total sightings included: 2 humpback whales, one Minke whale, and 1500 long-beaked common dolphins. …
An elephant seal, loads of whales, thousands of dolphins
2018 10-14 SB Channel Our adventure ran across the Santa Barbara Channel, stopping for wildlife, and ended up with a tour of the Santa Cruz Island sea cliffs. It was drop-dead gorgeous with bright sun and calm seas. Our sightings for the day included 9 humpback whales (more in the area), 1500 long-beaked common dolphins, 400 short-beaked common dolphins and …
Lots of whales and dolphins on a drop-dead gorgeous day
2018 10-14 SB Channel It was a gorgeous, sunny fall day with flat, calm seas and abundant wildlife. Sightings today included 6 humpback whales and 2000 long-beaked common dolphins. Captain Dave and the crew of the Condor Express concentrated their efforts on a productive region between the mid-Channel NOAA buoy and a nice spot south of The Lanes. One whale …
Mother and calf breach simultaneously many times in a row.
2018 10-12 SB Coast Captain Dave and his crew ran a late-departure private whale watch charter cruise today. Given the late departure, the afternoon breeze was just starting to pick up a bit, but it was otherwise a gorgeous day in the Santa Barbara Channel. All of the action took place within 5 miles of Santa Barbara Harbor. Sightings included: …
Whales, common dolphins and offshore bottlenose dolphins
2018 10-11 SB Channel Although skies were covered by a gray marine layer for part of the trip, seas were absolutely calm and still. Captain Tasha and the crew took the Condor Express across the Santa Barbara Channel to the waters north of Santa Rosa Island. Closely watched encounters included 3 humpback whales, 1500 long-beaked common dolphins, 75 California sea …
A nice trip to Santa Rosa Island results in great whale sightings
2018 10-10 SB Channel Captain Dave and his crew ran across the entire Santa Barbara Channel to locate wildlife today. Skies were covered by a high cloud layer, but seas were flat and calm. Totals included 6 humpback whales, 700 long-beaked common dolphins and 75 California sea lions. On our trip out several large pods of dolphins located the Condor …
Another sunny day with whales and dolphins.
2018 10-07 SB Channel Today brought us close looks at 3 humpback whales and 200 long-beaked common dolphins. It was a sunny day with a little bump on the water from the western Santa Barbara Channel. Captain Tasha and her crew kept the search pattern mostly in the northern half of the Channel. Dolphins located the Condor Express when it …