2 blue whales (1 could be a hybrid), Minke whale, humpback whales, common dolphins

2026 05–13 SB Channel

Captain Dave reports a high stratus layer that kept things gray  everywhere in the channel today except for the very productive whale zone near beautiful Santa Cruz Island. Seas werecalm, and there was no wind. Total sightings for the day: 300 common dolphins, 6 humpback whales (we closely watched 2), 1 Minke whale, 2 giant blue whales (1 of which could possibly be a blue/fin hybrid), 2 ocean sunfish (Mola mola,1 was feeding on purple sailor jellies (Velella velella). Crew member Cassidy hooked a single floating, disintegrating, Mylar balloon from the ocean surface.

Not too far S of the Harbor we spent 4 surface intervals with a semi-friendly Minke whale. I was seen on both sides of the boat because it was an equal opportunity whale. About a mile further S we came upon 2 ocean sunfish (Mola mola). The first was a medium sized beast and was feeding.  The second individual was much larger and not feeding, so we did not stop to spend time with it.

N of the lanes we spent 45 minutes watching a very big adult blue whale. It had a distinctive, very light colored tail, with a darker perimeter. It had long surface intervals before descending for at least 12 minutes on its terminal dives, during which it moved a half mile or so...testing captain Dave’s skills (which are numerous).

About 1 mile S of the first blue whale, we encountered what we thought was a second blue. It was just a tiny bit smaller than the first one. However, its skin was darker and it was spotted. Its dorsal fin was nonexistent, and shaped more like a bump. We’ll send photos to experts to get advice. I will try to keep you posted… so stay tuned.

At the next stop we watched a pair of humpback whales and, after a while, several groups of common dolphins. The first humpback was a female, the second humpback’s gender was not available, but it  had a wonderful, very active dive pattern. Every time it came to the surface, it rolled over on its back and did some pec-slapping.

You never know what mother nature has in store.

Bob Perry

condorexpressphotos.com

NOTE:

Our friend and tail ID specialist, Susanne, was on board and shared the identity of our humpback whales, as follows. You can find these whales and more at www.happywhale.com

CRC-19855 Recorded 21 times.

First seen in 2021 near East Anacapa Island, California. It's sightings ranged from Morro Bay, CA in the north, to Cabo San Lucas, BCS Mexico in the south. The last record of this whale prior to today was in January 2025 in Cabo San Lucas.

CRC-12377 A female (her calf is on record) Recorded 17 times.

First seen in 2011 near Santa Rosa Island in the Santa Barbara Channel. It's records range from Monterey Bay, CA in the north to Oaxaca, Mexico in the south.

Thanks, Susanne!