Back to El Capitan for some wonderful sea conditions and sightings.
- Bob Perry
- 2 minutes ago
- 1 min read
Image: a pod of common dolphins in the Santa Barbara Channel.
2026 08–25 SB Channel
After having some bumpy days earlier this week, I have good news: it was practically perfect out there today. Captain Eddy ran to the far W and found a nice assortment of marine mammals: 1200 common dolphins, 2 humpback whales, 1 fin whale, 1 Minke whale, 15 California sea lions.
On our trip up the coast, we had a quick look at 200 dolphins. They were in travel mode and only mildly interested in looking at their fans on board the Condor Express.
In the W channel, with El Capitan the nearest point to us on land, we found a productive area that produced 2 birdnados. There were at least 1000 dolphins feeding mostly sub-surface and were being followed by 2 humpback whales. Also present in the area was 1 large, adult fin. We had a very quick look at 1 shy Minke. A small mob of sea lions was also feeding here.
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
