Lots of amazing whales and dolphins in the mid Channel area.
- Bob Perry
- 2 minutes ago
- 1 min read
2026 02–20 SB Channel
It was a beautiful winter day in the Santa Barbara Channel with mostly blue skies and wonderful snow-capped vistas framing the city. There was a light breeze and a rather large chop on the water from gale force winds offshore overnight. Our winter schedule is now running 2 1/2 hour trips. Captain Dave and the crew put together some phenomenal cetacean sightings: 8+ humpback whales (we closely watched 6) and 1000 common dolphins.
There was a lot of wildlife activity 8 miles S of the Harbor, a few miles beyond the old kelp farm area. We watched 3 pairs, plus 2 single, humpback whales. The first pair was busy feeding sub-surface with 8 minute down times. A bit further SE we watched a second pair and had good looks.
At this point the crew saw a megapod of active dolphins through their binoculars and Dave headed that direction. We drove by 2 individual humpback whales and pointed them out as we passed. Soon we were surrounded by dolphins and during our wonderful encounter another pair of whales came into the zone.
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
