2020 11-28 SB Channel Weather and sea conditions were perfect. The ocean was glassy and very clear. Skies were blue and sunny.  Sightings were fantastic with 4 giant blue whales, 1 fin whale and 1500 long-beaked common dolphins. The first cetacean encounter occurred in The Lanes with a tight group of at least 1000 dolphins located the Condor Express. Soon … Read More

2020 11-27 SB Channel There are only 2 trips left in 2020 (more on this later). Captain Dave and his crew had a phenomenal early morning trip that left the dock at 8am under clear blue skies and bright sunshine. A bit of fall Santa Ana winds to the east (Oxnard, Malibu) created an unusual short interval swell from the … Read More

2020 11-22 SB Channel Although the sun was shining brightly, it was a bit chilly in the Channel due to the fresh breeze and moderate seas. Luckily, these kinds of conditions can magnify spouts and spray and actually make spotting cetaceans no problem at all. Sightings today included 5 humpback whales and 3500 long-beaked common dolphins. Small groups of dolphins … Read More

2020 11-21 SB Channel The blues were back and they had company! It was another gorgeous day. Blue skies were capped by wispy high clouds. The surface was lightly rippled except along the north face of Santa Cruz Island where it was breezy and cool. Sightings were phenomenal: 5+ giant blue whales, 4 humpback whales, 1 big fin whale and … Read More

2020 11-20 SB Channel Kelping Day in the Santa Barbara Channel. Two island whale watching trips left the dock today, the first at 8am, the second at 1pm. Sea conditions were spectacular with a glassy ocean surface all day. A bit of patchy fog in the early morning gave way to sunny skies. Sightings included 12+ kelping humpback whales and … Read More

2020 11-19 SB Channel Some might call it divine intervention. Others recognize the skills and experience of Captain Dave. After finding zero visibility fog on the whale grounds, a small clear patch of sun (also known as a “sucker hole”) resulted in: 2 giant blue whales and 1000 long-beaked common dolphins. There was general 1 mile visibility fog as we … Read More

2020 11-15 SB Channel  Captain Colton and the crew of the Condor Express ran south to The Lanes and found a tremendous hotspot that resulted in one of the most epic days we’ve had this week. Skies were sunny and bright. Seas were glassy with only a little bump left over from yesterday‘s wind. Sightings today included: 10+ humpback whales, … Read More

2020 11-14 Santa Cruz Isl Captain Dave reported very clear blue skies and bright sun all day as he took the Condor Express across the Santa Barbara Channel towards Santa Cruz Island. Seas were a bit bumpy due to a moderate wind. Sightings included 1 fin whale and 800 long-beaked common dolphins. North of The Lanes a wonderful megapod of … Read More

2020 11-12 SB Channel Captain Dave reported calm seas, as faint breeze, sunny skies and wonderful cetacean interactions on a trip across the Santa Barbara Channel that reached the world-famous Painted Cave. Sighting included 1500 long-beaked common dolphins, 25 offshore bottlenose dolphins and 8+ humpback whales. About 6 miles offshore and west of the NOAA buoy a mega-pod of nearly … Read More

2020 11-11 SB Channel There was cool fall weather, clear skies, no wind and unlimited vistas to behold in the Santa Barbara Channel today. The water was also very blue and clear. A small bump from overnight winds to the northwest didn’t do much to deter our locating and closely watching: 3+ humpback whales, 1 fin whale, 1 giant blue … Read More