2025 03-10 SB Channel
Captain Eddy and the crew ran a single excursion today that left the docks at 9 AM. They covered a lot of miles, and essentially made a great big circle out towards The Buoy, then back towards Campus Point, and a nice drive along the beach back to The Harbor. Sightings included: 500 common dolphins, 25 Dall’s porpoise, and one gray whale.
As described above, our route today took us straight offshore to the southwest. When we were just east of The Buoy we encountered a large pod of friendly common dolphins. They came over and rode our bow, side and stern waves. There were plenty of little calves in the group.
Next, we headed northwest towards UCSB. When we were 6 miles off Campus Point we had the good fortune crossing paths with 25 high-speed, black-and-white, torpedoes (AKA, Dall’s porpoise). They zoomed here and there around the boat, leaving their characteristic giant rooster tail behind them. Today, the group got friendly, came to the boat, and rode our bow several times. The water was clear and the looks were mind blowing.
As we continued northwest and were just 1 mile off The Campus, we watched one adult, northbound, gray whale. It followed a characteristic regular path and breathing cycle. This whale kicked up its tail flukes on every dive. It came close to the boat on a couple of surfacings.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry