2018 02-14 SB Channel -Captain Dave and his crew ran a wonderful “Valentine’s Day” excursion full of wildlife. Conditions in the Santa Barbara Channel were spectacular with sunny skies, calm seas and clear blue water. Dave reported closely watching the following: 12 inshore bottlenose dolphins, 4 fin whales, 2 gray whales and at least 1,000 long-beaked common dolphins. Four different species of cetaceans made for an epic day.
Before leaving Santa Barbara Harbor we followed a very nice sized pod of inshore bottlenose dolphins as they swam through the East Beach anchorage. It is always fun to get such great looks at these large dolphins.
Offshore, and en route to Santa Cruz Island, 3 giant fin whales were seen feeding on the surface. These big whales also became quite friendly and made close approaches to the Condor Express. The clear blue water greatly enhanced the experience. A mile or so later another giant fin whale was spotted.
Dave took everyone on a short but sweet tour of the Santa Cruz Island sea cliffs and into the world’s longest sea cave, the Painted Cave. Calm sea conditions made a trip inside the first chamber possible. Upon exiting The Cave a single, rather shy gray whale was spotted. It was heading south and, perhaps being later than most of its species, it wasn’t too interested in messing around with the Condor. Further west another shy gray whale was intercepted and watched.
NOTE: Most of the gray whales have been down in one of three large Pacific Ocean lagoons in Baja California Sur and some have started their trek back northbound to their Alaskan feeding grounds. Next week our schedule changes to reflect this. Please visit condorexpress.com for further information.
On the way back to Santa Barbara Harbor today, a mega-pod of at least 1,000 long-beaked common dolphins found the Condor Express and we were able to enjoy watching these smaller but more active dolphins. They rode our bow, side and stern waves while they watched their fan club on the deck of the boat looking down at them.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express
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