2017 07-18 SB Channel
Again the morning fog lifted to form a low marine layer with calm seas and great conditions for locating wildlife. Captain Dave and his team found 3 cetacean species and a cool fish. These included: 1 ocean sunfish (Mola mola), 900 long-beaked common dolphins, 75 offshore bottlenose dolphins and 5 humpback whales. Although the Condor Express searched areas on both sides of the Santa Barbara Channel, all the wildlife was north of The Lanes.
Heading out from Santa Barbara Harbor on a southwesterly heading, we encountered several groups of common dolphins and a few humpback whales mixed-in. The larger offshore dolphins were found later, just north of The Lanes. Dave ran west along the face of Santa Rosa Island searching for life, but eventually headed north and back towards Santa Barbara.
On the way home a monster humpback breach woke everyone up. On the scene the beast slapped its chin, breached again, and did a bit of kelping. It was an amazing natural sighting. About 3 mile out from home a giant Mola mola was watched and a mile later the last humpback of the excursion was observed.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express