Our glassy smooth streak of trips continued again today.
- Bob Perry
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
2025 07–15 SB Channel
Captain Eddy and the crew of the Condor Express had another wonderful day with ideal conditions. There were overcast skies but zero wind and a mirror glass ocean surface. The water clarity continues to be very good. Sightings for today included: 3000 common dolphins, 9 humpback whales, and 2 Minke whales.
Near what is left of The Kelp Farm 1000 dolphins were moving along and we stayed with them while getting excellent views. In the same area there were 2 individual juvenile humpback whales. We followed one of them as it slowly moved east but did so with an erratic, zigzag, route. A bit further to the south we found another megapod and Eddy put the Condor Express into a tight high-speed circle. The dolphins responded by surfing the circular wake so they surfed down the wave right at the boat… an oldie but goodie captain’s trick.
Upon arrival in the northbound Shipping lane, A large Maersk container cargo vessel was heading directly for an area full of humpbacks. Fortunately the vessel was moving slow and responded to our hail by changing course to avoid the mammals. Within the cetacean quintet we watch one large adult because it made a very friendly approach. Two others continually popped up right next to the Condor after making short deep dives.
When we were in the Separation Zone between the 2 Lanes, adjacent to Chinese Harbor, we came upon a pair of juvenile, active whales. One of them laid down a big chin slap (See today’s photo for an example). The other made a full-body breach, completely out of the water, then proceeded to do three or four more breaches that were awesome but not quite so high.
Two things happened on the way home. First, we ran into another large pod dolphins and, second, a tight pair of very friendly Minke whales located us. We were with the Minke’s for 10-12 breathing cycles. A considerable amount of time was spent riding alongside the Condor Express on both sides and swimming underneath us.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry
