As fierce southerly winds loomed on the forecast, Captain Danny, along with myself (Isaiah) and our deckhand Andrew seized a good weather window to venture out into the bay and to change some lives. Right out of the gate, we encountered a large pod of roughly 150 Risso’s Dolphin by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. After watching several breaches and head slaps, we pushed north, to the Monterey Submarine Canyon, where the same hordes of Humpback Whales have been feeding on absolutely massive schools of anchovies. Indeed, by the end of the trip, we counted roughly 20 individuals, with groups from two to four all around. All the while, the wind held back, and patchy alto-cumulus clouds painted an opalescent hue to our viewings. Just as we finished up with a group of competitive-breeding humpbacks (3 males and 1 female), a significant lump of bumpy waves began to tickle the Pacifica, indicating that the winds were on their way, prompting a timely return home, triumphant and safe. With stellar looks, calm seas, and fascinated passengers, today was a perfect one-and-done day.
-Naturalist Isaiah
