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. … Read More
Three humpback whales, one breacher…and more
2018 09-27 SB Channel Captain Dave ran a bit west, then out to the south. Most of the action was only about 4 miles off Campus Point. Skies were mostly overcast with a moderate breeze. The sun came out late in the trip. Sightings for the day included: 1 Minke whale, 3 humpback whales, 800 long-beaked common dolphins and 50 … Read More
Humpbacks, a Minke, loads of dolphins and Oceanic Power
2018 08-31 SB Channel The hot spot today was, once again, along the edge of the southbound commercial shipping lanes. The Condor Express made the following sightings: 4 humpback whales, 1 Minke whale, 650 long-beaked common dolphins, 300 California sea lions and 1 42,000 ton bulk carrier*. Seas were a bit more exhilarating than yesterday, but those hearty whale watchers … Read More
2018 08-17 SB Channel Captain Dave and the crew of the condor express ran across the channel and located activity about 6 miles north of Santa Cruz Island today. Total sightings included 4 humpback whales, one Minke whale, and 1800 long-beaked common dolphins. Blue, clear water, calm seas and sunny skies prevailed. As reported earlier this week, the dolphins were … Read More
Humpbacks, Minke, and both short- and long-beaked dolphins
2018 08-09 SB Channel Captain Colton and the crew of the Condor Express ran a course parallel to Santa Cruz Island, heading east to a point several miles north of Chinese Harbor. Seas were glassy and calm. The morning fog patches gave way to a high stratus layer with good surface lateral visibility. Sightings included 1 Minke whale, 1300 long-beaked … Read More
Humpback tail throws, Minke whales and plenty of dolphins.
2018 08-06 SB Channel – Far East As happened yesterday, once again Captain Tasha and her crew ran to the far east and located a nice hot spot north of Anacapa Island. Seas were calm. The weather was nice. Sightings included 2 humpback whales, 2 Minke whales and 1000 long-beaked common dolphins. Humpback tail throws were the high point of … Read More
Seas were calm. Whales were giant.
2018 07-20 SB Channel – East The thin marine layer clouds soon burned off and the day was clear and warm. Seas were calm. Captain Dave and the crew ran across the Santa Barbara Channel on a southeasterly heading and located a whale area off the northern face of West Anacapa Island. Closely watched sightings included 3 blue whales, 1 … Read More
Awesome blue whale in crystal clear, blue water…and more!
2018 07-19 SB Channel – East The ocean was very flat and calm today with lots of spots that were mill pond glassy. Captain Dave and his crew ran down to the eastern Santa Barbara Channel again and located 2 blue whales, 1 fin whale, 4 Minke whales, and 500 long-beaked common dolphins. Many of the whale and dolphin sightings … Read More
Blue whales, fin whale, Minke whale, dolphins
2018 07-18 SB Channel East Captain Dave and his crew took the Condor Express back to the eastern Santa Barbara Channel where, once again, we found abundant life in The Lanes adjacent to West Anacapa Island. Closely watched species today included 2 blue whales, 1 fin whale, 1 Minke whale and 500 long-beaked common dolphin. Skies were mostly covered by … Read More
Wind, waves, 8 giant blue whales, humpbacks, and more
2018 06-28 SB Channel A fresh breeze blew across the Santa Barbara Channel today and created some surface chop. But these things greatly enhanced the sightings by blowing the spout spray of the wildlife high into the air. Overcast skies quickly turned to bright sun out near beautiful Santa Cruz Island. We closely watched 8+ blue whales, 500 long-beaked common … Read More