10 giant whales, 8 humpbacks, 1000 dolphins, and a feeding Mola mola
- Bob Perry
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Image: a hungry humpback whale does some sideways surface lunge feeding in the Santa Barbara Channel.
2026 05–24 SB Channel
The track of the Condor Express today ran directly from the Harbor, SW towards the W end of beautiful Santa Cruz Island. All of our sightings were along that track, and all of the whales were either in the lanes or S of them. Eddy and the crew (Camille and Isabel) experienced perfection in the sea conditions today. There were mill pond flat and glassy conditions all day. The start of the day had a thin high stratus layer, but that broke to beautiful sunny skies near the lanes. The water clarity was that magnificent Santa Barbara cobalt color.
Total sightings for the day: 1000 common dolphins, 1 ocean sunfish (Mola mola), 8 humpback whales, 1 fin whale, 3 giant blue whales, and 6 more giants (fins or blues) close by that never got identified specifically), making a total of 10 of the world’s largest whales.
Our only stop prior to the hot spot in the lanes occurred mid-channel where we spent some quality time watching 1 voracious and large, 5 foot diameter, ocean sunfish (Mola mola). It was feeding nonstop on purple sailor jellies (Velella velella). Although not technically a cetacean sighting, it was, indeed, very NatGeo.
As we approached the separation zone, we came upon a BS4 birdnado which, in addition to many species of hungry waterfowl, contained 1000 common dolphins.
At least 8 humpback whales, including a mother and calf, were fully engaged in feeding in the birdnado. At times they lost track of their location and surfaced right next to the boat, even feeding close to the Condor Express on several occasions. (See photo above for an example of sideways lunge feeding).
S of the lanes, we entered today’s zone of the giants. At first we saw 1 giant blue whale. While we were watchingit, a second blue whale came up to the surface. This second whale had unusually long surface times which made for a wonderful looks. The extreme water clarity enhanced the blue whale sightings, as it always does, by allowing us to see the blue glow from the animals when they were submerged. A single fin whalel came by. Lastly, the original blue whale hooked up with a third blue and then went about feeding side-by-side and diving synchronously, showing their massive tail flukes.
As previously mentioned, there were 6 additional giant spouts all around the area which might’ve been blues, fins, or some combination of thereof.
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
