Image: A humpback whale mugs the Condor Express.
2023 6-12 SB Channel
Calm seas prevailed and there was a persistent marine layer keeping things cool and slightly gray. On the mid-Channel whale grounds, the water clarity was exceptional today! Captain Devin and the crew ran out towards the NOAA East Channel Buoy and closely watched: 12+ humpback whales, 2500 long-beaked common dolphins and 2+ ocean sunfish (Mola mola).
Near the kelp farm we intersected a small pod of 100 or so dolphins and they followed us for a short while, riding our wake waves, as we continued south.
East of The Buoy, we located the remaining dolphins and all of the whales within a 2- or 3-mile area. Things kicked off with a pair of adults in travel mode. A third traveler soon joined the pair. A bit further along another pair came directly to the Condor Express and mugged the boat for an hour. It was mostly a rostrum-touching-our-sides encounter, but there was some rolling around, especially in our jetwash.
Responding to a breach we witnessed, we found a major hot spot with thousands of dolphins and a LOT of whales, perhaps 20 or more. We did not have time to stop and engage each whale, or pair, or trio…hence I added a (+) to the daily count. One of the whales did a nice bit of tail-throwing.
We also watched two ocean sunfish (Mola mola).
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Condor Express, and
CondorExpressPhotos.com
We had a fantastic time out on 6/12/23 with the Condor Express! This was a first time experience for my 6 and 9 year old. They had the time of their lives and have been begging to go again. We were not disappointed with our experience! The crew were phenomenal on locating marine life and explaining what we were seeing. Can’t wait to go again to experience the ocean without the urge to take so many photo.