Image: A Fin whale in the Santa Barbara Channel.
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2024 04-23 SB Coast
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Today we had several bus-
loads of very enthusiastic whale watching kids on school charters. Luckily, the weather and sea conditions were good. We found calm seas and a high marine layer in the morning that quickly turned to sunshine. In the afternoon, the wind picked up and it got a little bit choppy. Total sightings for the day included: one Fin whale, one Minke whale, 600 long-beaked common dolphins and 150 California sea lions.
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After leaving the Harbor in the morning, Captain Dave and the crew took the Condor Express up the coast along the beach in search of migrating gray whales. Alas, we did not see any gray whales today, but the area was rich with active birdnados that hosted dozens of small pods of dolphins and at least 150 sea lions. All were actively feeding on the surface. Nearby, a curious Minke whale came up along the edge of a birdnado. We got one look and then it was down again.Â
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After we passed UCSB, Captain Dave gave a presentation about the history of oil exploration in our channel that included a tour via the boat of offshore oil and gas platform Holly. We continued moving eastward for a while, then cut back in towards the shore.
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When we were about a quarter of a mile off of Ledbetter Beach, we came upon a young Fin whale. Speaking for myself, I have never seen nor heard of a Fin whale so close to shore in our area. But there it was and we got good looks as it headed back towards the harbor.
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We were happy that all the kids had good sightings today and saw what probably is a record-breaking Fin whale encounter for the Santa Barbara Channel.
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You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
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Bob Perry
Condor Express, and