Active humpbacks, Rissos and offshore bottlenose dolphins… Plus a Cave tour.
- Bob Perry
- 22 hours ago
- 1 min read
2025 05–10 SB Channel
Captain Dave and the crew reported blue skies with calm seas all day. There was a little bit of wind in the mid Channel region, otherwise that, too was calm. Sighings for the day included 5 humpback whales, 25 Rissos dolphins and 30 offshore bottlenose dolphins. In addition, the crew removed 2 balloons from the ocean surface… Happy Mother’s Day!
We were on track for the West End of Santa CruzIsland, in the mid-Channel region, when we came upon 3 humpback whales. It was a mother, a calf, and an escort. The little calf was busy playing. It rolled around and came close to the boat several times. The adults, on the other hand, were busy feeding, and that included four or five vertical surface lunges.
As we got close to the world famous Painted Cave on Santa Cruz Island, we encountered 2 more adult humpback whales. They were very close to the island. It was wonderful to see them with the island sea cliffs, coves and caverns as a back drop. Soon a spread-out pod of about 25 Rissos dolphins came through the area. (See today’s photograph for an example). Good looks were had by all. Finally, before Captain Dave took the Condor Express inside the cave, we also had a visit by a small pod of very active offshore bottlenose dolphins.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry
