7-1-21 “Large and Impressive Lungefeeds”
Today, Captain Danny, along with Deckhand Reed and my (Naturalist Isaiah) set out at 9am to find a small group of Risso’s Dolphin just off shore of Lover’s Point, after enjoying the squid-hunting, deep diving cetaceans for some time, we set out west to find a group of four humpback whales, which boasted several large and impressive surface lunge feeds, after which three more humpbacks were sighted. Engorged on looks, we returned to grab a second load of passengers who got to see two humpback whales and – further west – a large, spread out pod of Risso’s Dolphin, Pacific White Sided Dolphin, and a few Northern Right Whale dolphin! Out of time, we stopped for one more humpback whale – totaling three for the trip – before bringing the boat home. -Naturalist Zay
6-26-21 “Ooo’s & Ahh’s gavey way to Whoa’s and Wows”
“Ooo’s” and “Ah’s” gave way to “Woah’s!” and “Wow’s!” today, as an early onset of of Risso’s Dolphin led to three Humpback Whales. One of the whales turned out to be a calf, who executed countless (literally) breaches and tail throws for the entirety of our views. Captain Danny, Deckhand Reed, and myself (Isaiah) smiled amiably and shared high fives, knowing that our passengers’ lives were being so touched. Back to the Harbor, enloaded, and reloaded, we raced back out to the edge of the continental shelf, where we found a lone and large Humpback, who had little trouble woo’ing the crowd with consistent and impressive tail flukes, as well as some close passes before our time finally ran out. Just as we thought the trip was over – and as we neared Monterey Harbor – Danny sighted a small…
6/24/21 “Crystal Clear Atmospheric Conditions, no Trouble Spotting Animals, & Pleasing Crowds”
Immaculate seas set a more-than-pleasant tone for both todays trips, and with crystal clear atmospheric conditions, we had no trouble spotting animals and pleasing crowds. Our first trip started with Risso’s Dolphin early on, who glistened in the beautiful morning light under opalescent partly-cloudy skies. Soon after we headed off shore to the edge of the continental shelf where – after a very brief binocular scan – we spotted a pod of four killer whales! The orcas graciously afforded us spectacular looks, as they were traveling south at a very predictable clip and diving for six minutes at a time and routinely. Soon, we had followed them so far south that their backdrop became the Point Lobos and The Carmel Highlands. Having reached the end of our leash, we made way back for Monterey Harbor and quickly stumbled upon a…
6/6/21 “Lunge Feeds, Repetitive Breaching, Consistent Sightings of Casper”
Today wrapped up another big weekend for Discovery Whale Watch as Friday, Saturday, and Sunday all ran three trips per day, introducing over 190 passengers to over to the glory of the Humpback Whale, and the splendor of the Risso’s Dolphin. Surface lunge feeds, repetitive breaching, and consistent sightings of Casper (the albino dolphin) were standard fare for the weekend, and all of our passengers disembarked with phones and cameras full of fantastic memories to cherish for years to come. Too many whales to recount, and far too many dolphins more; what a problem to have 🙂 As strong northwesterly winds arrive as forecasted, we can expect a good surface upwelling of nutrient rich water over the next few weeks which will fuel massive phytoplankton blooms to feed the anchovy schools. Can you say “humpback food?” Here’s looking forward to a…
Memorial Day Weekend 2021 “Whales, Whales…Have Invaded Monterey Bay”
Memorial Day Weekend… What can I say? Whales, whales, and plenty more whales of the Humpback variety have invaded Monterey Bay, decimating the anchovy populations left and right with consistent surface feedings, and celebrating with abundant beaches, tail throws and pectoral fin slapping. Trips have been seeing anywhere from five to fifteen humpbacks per trip,…
Thursday 5-27-21 “Feasting Copiously on Anchovies”
Thursday was a splendid day, as Captain Rod set the Pacifica to sea with our deckhand Andrew and myself (Zay) out west from Monterey Harbor. Nearly 200 Risso’s Dolphin were seen by the squid fishing fleet, and amongst them was the famous Casper, the Albino Risso’s Dolphin! Afterwards we set out to the west, leaving behind…
5-26-21 “Active Humpbacks & Abundant Risso’s”
Wednesday was another full value adventure day, as rock-and-roll seas also yielded active Humpback Whales and abundant Risso’s Dolphin. Captain Danny, Deckhand Kevin, and myself (Zay) had little trouble finding the Dolphin early-on this morning, barely a mile out of the gate, and two humpback whales were sighted out by the south edge of the Monterey Submarine Canyon – four miles west of the Monterey Peninsula. At one point, one of the pair exhibited a full breach, close enough to excite even the most battle hardened whale watcher! The second trip found several dozen Risso’s Dolphin early on, like the first trip. As wind speed increased, so too did the sloppy seas. Instead of racing out of the bay, Captain Danny wisely turned the boat north to survey the coastal waters off the town of Marina and Seaside. Low and behold, five…
5-17-21
Sightings galore in the Monterey Bay! In the past week our trips have been seeing: Humpback Whales Blue Whales Fin Whales Killer Whales Dolphin It’s a fantastic time to get out on a boat and do some exploring! Here’s some recent photos taken by our Naturalist Andrew!
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…
4-27-21 “Orcas in Glassy Blue Seas”
Our 9AM trip today encountered a pod of orcas in glassy blue seas. Included in the group was OCT059 a large male transient killer whale that is infrequently encountered. 4-27-21 Photos & report by naturalist Eric Austin Yee
4-23-21 “Killer Whale Predation Event!”
Amazing trips today!! On the morning trip we witnessed one of the coolest things you can see whale watching in the Monterey Bay. We saw a pod of orcas in the process of hunting and killing a grey whale calf. There were about 15 orcas, including 2 males, and 2 calves. There was a lot…
4-8-21 “Adventurous Souls”
Adventure on the high seas! Thursday saw the Pacifica charging out into a wavy bay with 24 adventurous souls aboard. With captain Danny “The Tank” Frank at the helm, we had little trouble in locating three species of cetaceans 🙂 Early on, Danny sighted a moderate pod of Risso’s (Grampus griseus) dolphin, who graced us with great looks. As the wind was forecasting to pick up soon, we had only but a few minutes to enjoy the Grampus for moving out into deeper waters, where yours-truly sighted a heart shaped blow off the port side. As sure as waves on water, it was a lone Gray Whale. Interestingly enough, the lone Gray was not actively travelling on its otherwise-predictable northbound course (the migrate towards arctic circle in the spring). Nay, the whale was holding put, and sounding (diving) for several…