Blues. Fins. And the cave.
- Bob Perry
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Image: a giant blue whale creates a huge fan appreciation moment near beautiful Santa Cruz Island.
2026 05–22 SB Channel
We experienced idyllic conditions for whale watching: calm seas, no wind, no swell. Captain Dave transected the Channel, found lots of activity in the lanes, then went on to visit the world famous Painted Cave, on the W end of beautiful Santa Cruz Island. Individual sightings: 5 giant blue whale sightings (which includes closely watching the same individual twice in separate locations), 3 fin whale sightings (with no close encounters), and 1 ocean sunfish (Mola mola).
1 ocean sunfish (Mola mola), was found on the surface just 5 miles outbound from the Harbor. We came watched it for about 5 minutes and it was very cooperative about not sounding. We continued out to the lanes.
There were plenty of tall spouts in the lanes. The first belonged to a large adult blue whale. It had 9 minute downtimes, long surface intervals, and kicked up its tail 3 times for great whale selfie moments. (Stay tuned. We saw this individual later). The beast was swimming to the W. (See today’s photograph for an example of a similar blue whale near the island)
There were an additional 3 giant blue whales spouting nearby that we did not get set up on due to their long dives times, and long, random movement patterns while submerged. Additional spouts belonged to a pair of large fin whales that had similarly long dives and underwater movement patterns.
Our proximity to the world famous Painted Cave prompted Captain Dave to run along the beautiful sea cliffs and grottos on the W end of the island. His talk is legendary and covers such things as the geological formation and origin of the island, its prehistoric human population, and environmental issues. Sea conditions were so good that Dave took the Condor Express into the outer chamber of the cave.
After exiting the cave, and heading N towards the Harbor, we encountered the original blue whale once again as it had moved all the way down to the cave area. We got one really good look and continued on our way.
North of the lanes, we encountered our third fin whale on the surface. As we approached slowly, the beast sounded and we had to go as we were running very late at this point.
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
