A mega day with a glassy calm channel.

Image: three adult humpback whales are seen close to the Condor Express just below Diablo Peak on Santa Cruz Island.

2025 05-06 SB Channel

We’re back on schedule with our 4 1/2 hour trips, running daily from 10 AM to 2:30 PM. Today we found partly cloudy skies with mill pond glassy water except near the island. It was sunny near the island with a very slight breeze. Conditions were absolutely ideal and our sightings were stupendous: 14 humpback whales, 1 gray whale, 100 California sea lions, 2 Ocean sunfish (Mola mola), 1  Blue shark, and 1 adult Northern elephant seal.

There was non-stop action all day. It was only 10 minutes later when we found 5 humpback whales adjacent to Prisoners Harbor and well south of The Lanes. At first, we saw a large animal then two joined it. Before long another pair joined in and there were 5 in the area.

We watched these animals for quite a while until around 12:45 PM. We encountered another pair and followed it until a third whale joined in. At one point when a pair was sounding, we had a double tail fluke situation. Awesome to see.

About an hour into the trip, traveling southeast, we had a quick look at a small blue shark finning on the surface. It quickly sounded. About 20 minutes later we spotted our first single humpback whale. It made a closer approach and showed a wonderful tail flute for all to see.

Fifteen minutes later, and about 100 yards from the boat, we spotted the head of an adult northern elephant seal. As they always do, when a boat comes near, it descended slowly to disappear to the depths where they live most of their lives feeding on sharks.

Shortly after 1 PM we encountered a very strange quartet of whales. There were two pairs that joined and then moved apart occasionally. The most unusual thing about the group was that every time they go they showed their tails and pooped! This went on for at least a half an hour. The crew was wondering how this was biologically possible… If not a little bit gross to look at. The color of this material did tell us one thing: they’re feeding on fish not krill.

As we neared The Harbor on the way home there were 2 more whales: a single northbound gray whale just off The Brakewater, and a very active surface lunge-feeding humpback less than a mile from shore. There must’ve been a massive amount of bait in the water because joining the humpback were at least 100 California sea lions and they all gorged themselves and it was still going on when we had to leave. It was a fantastic and dramatic way to end and otherwise gorgeous day in The Channel.

You never know what Mother Nature has in store.

Bob Perry

CondorExpressPhotos.com