A delightful pod of offshore bottlenose dolphins. Some humpbacks and common dolphins as well.
- Bob Perry
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
2025 07–29 SB Channel
Skies had a high stratus layer all day. Seas were calm. Captain Dave and the crew steered a triangular course today leaving the harbor to the southwest. About six or 7 miles offshore the course changed to a due east heading. Then, when we were south of platform Habitat, the final leg back to the harbor was northwest. Sightings included: 3 humpback whales, 500 common dolphins, and 60 offshore bottlenose dolphins.
Common dolphins have moved elsewhere in the channel and it was the first time in 2 weeks we haven’t been surrounded all day or experienced megapods. When we were about 5 miles out, small pods of 15 or 20 were seen here and there and that was the way it was for most of the day, with one exception: Late in the trip, as we began to make our final turn towards home, we had good looks at a pod of 300 and another of 100 individuals.
With the first small groups of common dolphins we also found our first 2 individual whales of the day. They were down a lot searching for food subsurface. Both of surfaced close to the Condor Express, purely by luck, on one or two occasions.
Just a mile further south, we had a wonderful encounter with a pod of offshore bottlenose dolphins. It was probably the highlight of the trip. We don’t see these big dolphins every day, and they are almost always very active and aerial. Today’s pod was no exception and there were also lots of tiny little calves in the group. Dave brought the boat into a circle and the whole pod began to surf. It was absolutely delightful.
You never know what mother nature has in store. Bob Perry
