Mirror glass conditions at Santa Cruz Island produced 4 different cetacean species and some sharks.
- Bob Perry
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
2026 01–18 SB Channel
Captain Eddy and the crew found partly sunny skies with calm glassy seas all day. There was no swell, and the water clarity was excellent even though some areas still had floating logs and debris from the storms. Sightings today were phenomenal: 20 offshore bottlenose dolphins, 10 blue sharks, 20 Risso’s dolphins, 5 Dall’s porpoises, and 13 gray whales (3 were watched closely). The Condor Express crew once again removed 2 floating, deflated, Mylar balloons from the ocean.
S of the lanes, a small pod of friendly offshore bottlenose dolphins came to the boat, rode our bow and jumped over our wake. Amidst the dolphins, we saw 1 small blue shark which turned out to be part of a cluster of 10. They were very cooperative and for the most part did not sink out as we approached… Good looks were had.
Eddy took us into the world famous painted cave, taking advantage of the extremely flat and glassy conditions. It is marvelous to see the colorful mineral deposits on the walls that give the cave it’s name. (Some people think the cave is named after some Chumash art, similar to a cave found in the hills of Santa Barbara, but this is not true). Near the cave we encountered 20 Risso’s dolphins. This was a special encounter since the Dolphins did not sound during our time with them. Some came close to the Condor Express. There were at least 3 mothers with calves in the pod.
Eddy took us around and up into Santa Cruz Channel, sometimes called “the gap” between Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Island. There was a group of at least 12 gray whales here. (See today’s photograph for an example). We followed a trio which, at one point, came very close to the boat. The crystal clear water enhanced the sighting!
On the way home a small pot of five black-and-white torpedoes (Dall’s porpoise)came to the boat and rode our bow once or twice before they quickly took off to seek other targets.
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
