Lots of dolphins and cool humpback behaviors.
- Bob Perry
- Jul 28
- 2 min read
2025 07-28 SB Channel
It was yet another day with drop dead gorgeous sea conditions in our area. We’ve had an amazing run of great weather! The high marine layer remained most of the day, clearing up as we returned to the harbor in the afternoon. But there was no swell, and light wind ripples on the surface was as “rough” as it got. Totals for the day: 5000 common dolphins, 9+ humpback whales, and 1 Minke whale.
After taking a day off yesterday to form a massive megapods, the dolphin behavior we experienced for the week prior returned again today. Our first dolphin encounter was just south of the farm, and sightings of dolphins continued throughout the day including during every whale encounter.
Our first 2 individual humpback whales were encountered alongside this first batch of dolphins. One of the humpbacks did some dramatic surface vertical lunge-feeding on a school of anchovies. (Today’s photograph is an example of this feeding behavior).
While we were watching the 2 humpbacks, a single Minke whale came by for one breathing cycle. Like a homing pigeon, it returned 30 minutes later for some really good close approaches. How about that! My hypothesis is that they are attracted to our jet wash and Jacuzzi action a stern.
On our southeast track, we soon found ourselves with another big group of dolphins and 4 more humpback whales. We had good looks and there were some nice tail flukes. On the edge of the lanes we found 2 more singles, and one was a giant-sized female.
When we reached the southernmost point of our track, we observed our last humpback of the day. It did quite a bit of tail slapping and pectoral fin slapping on the surface. It was a wonderful ending to a great day full of wildlife.
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
