5-3-21 “Massive Feeding Frenzy!”

Full value on the high seas on Monday. Twelve passengers (a light load) set out with us on the AM trip, led by Captain Danny “The Tank” Frank, a seasoned Monterey Mariner. Fog rolled in quickly on the AM trip, and westward we charged with hopes of breaking through the fog, which we did just as the SONAR registered 5,000 feet of depth over the Monterey Submarine Canyon. Low and behold, and defying belief, Danny sighted a MASSIVE feeding frenzy: roughly FORTY humpback whales, with consistent surface feeding, surrounded by about 1,200 Pacific White Sided Dolphin, 200 Northern Right Whale Dolphin, and a few dozen Risso’s Dolphin (actually seen before the feeding frenzy). Throw in a few thousand birds, some sloppy seas, and rising wind, our passengers truly did receive a full value adventure. One gentleman who claimed over 15 whale watches in his life proudly stated that his trip with us was – by far – the greatest on which he had ever been. So glad I am to see so many humpback whales returning to Monterey from their winter breeding migrations. Hungry they are, and hungry they shall be and feeding here until winter returns – months from now. Lets keep this going, you beautiful humpback whales!

–Naturalist Zay