Calm seas result in gray whales mating. The trip across the Santa Barbara Channel was smooth as silk today and we were lucky today to see gray whale mating. A few seabirds such as phalaropes and shearwaters were observed mostly resting on the surface. Later a northern fulmar sitting on the glassy surface would approach the Condor Express as we … Read More
New Year Starts with 6 Killer Whales
New Year Starts with 6 Killer Whales This is our third transient killer whale (Orcinus orca) encounter in a week. What a week it has been. Captain Dave and the crew found great sea conditions and bright sun in the Santa Barbara Channel, making spout finding easier. The adventure today began with a trip over to Santa Cruz Island where … Read More
Gray whale migration still on the move plus common dolphins run amok!
The latest on the gray whale migration. Three gray whales were observed in the gray whale migration back to their feeding grounds in Alaska today, but the real fun was the dolphin show. Approximately 1500 common dolphins were seen engaged in feeding behavior which included leaping, jumping, slashing upside down through the water and driving the little bait fish crazy. … Read More
Another big day for gray whales
Captain Dave reports from the Condor that all 3 trips (9a, 12n, 3p) ran and had great looks at cetaceans. In all 15 gray whales were closely observed. Also 20 coastal bottlenose dolphins and 100 common dolphins were seen. As with yesterday’s adventure, on two trips we had breaching gray whales…on the 3pm trip the breaching gray must have gotten … Read More
Condor Express Whale Watching Trips Suspended Due To Wheelhouse Fire
An osprey, perched atop a nearby masthead, keeps a watchful eye on the Condor Express clean up operations today. https://www.condorexpressphotos.com/Other/2013-03-10-SB-Harbor A tourist passer-by, who happened to be an off duty San Francisco firefighter, saw the blaze and smoke and grabbed a fire hose from Sea Landing and put out most of the fire before the Harbor Patrol and SB City … Read More
California Whale Watching: BBBRRRREEEEAAAACCCCHHHH !!
Captain Dave took the helm today for some very fun California whale watching. It was not long into the adventure when he set the Condor Express alongside 4 northbound Pacific gray whales. Apparently one of the giants was so happy to see Dave, or just to be heading home for its first real dinner in months, that it breached many … Read More
Gray and Humpback whale watching galore.
Excellent Gray and Humpback whale watching today It was a cool day but the Channel was glassy smooth with calm winds. Gray and Humpback whale watching was excellent today. Captain Mat Curto used his keen eyes to put the Condor Express on 3 gray whales, 50 common dolphins and 2 humpback whales. At least 6 additional humpback whales were seen … Read More
Southern California Whale Watching – Gray whales goin’ back home northwards..
Southern California Whale Watching Capt Dave had 3 nice gray whales today under ideal summer-like conditions. Great looks were had by all as Dave and crew kept the whales at a safe distance alongside the Condor Express, matching their speed. Wow. What a great week this has been for wonderful weather. Hot, sunny, clear and lots of mammals to enjoy. … Read More
Santa Barbara Channel Offering Spectacular Fall conditions for whale wathcing
Santa Barbara Channel Offering Spectacular Fall Conditions A gorgeous sunny and sparkling day out in the Santa Barbara Channel. Our first sightings were three humpback whales no more than 4 miles from Santa Barbara Harbor. One was our pal, “Rope.” These 3 whales stayed on the surface and watching them alongside the Condor Express in crystal clear, blue water was … Read More