Mellow seas, serene whales and tranquil dolphins.
- Bob Perry
- 6 days ago
- 1 min read
2025 06–09 SB Channel
Conditions were ideal for Captain Eddy and the crew to run across the entire Channel and end up inside the world famous Painted Cave on Santa Cruz Island’s west end. There was a light gray stratus layer, and negligible winds that turned into a very light breeze later in the day. Sightings for the trip included: 2000 Common dolphins, 4 Humpback whales and 1 Ocean sunfish (Mola mola). The crew also removed a deflated, floating, Mylar balloon from the ocean surface
Our first marine mammal encounter was with a megapod of common dolphins near The Buoy. These dolphins were in travel mode and we watched them for a while before diverting to a nearby humpback. It was an adult with relatively short down times, but it, too, was traveling and we headed towards The Cave. Captain Eddy carefully penetrated the outer chamber of The Cave by bringing the Condor Express well into the darkness for a marvelous experience.
Upon exiting The Cave we started back towards The Harbor. In the nearby Lanes, we had quick looks at yet another whale and, nearby, a moderately large Ocean sunfish (Mola mola). Our final sighting was a pair of humpbacks that came relatively close to the boat. (See today’s photograph for an example).
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry
