Seas were calm, glassy, and clear. Our sights were off the charts
Image: an Ocean sunfish (Mola mola) is shown near the edge of a giant kelp (Macrocystis) paddy floating in the Santa Barbara Channel.
2026 09–20 SB Channel
Other than the low gray stratus sky, sea conditions were ideal: glass and calm. The offshore waters remain absolutely crystal clear, which enhanced all of our sightings. Totals for the trip: 2 Ocean sunfish (Mola mola), 2500 common dolphins, 5 humpback whales, 50 California sea lions and… 1 Striped marlin (early signs of El Niño).
As we headed offshore, Captain Eddy and the crew stopped to observe a drifting giant kelp paddy which had 2 large ocean sunfish hanging out in the shade a few feet down. As mentioned earlier, the water clarity enhanced our views. (See today’s photo for an example).
E of the buoy we picked up our first pod of about 500 common dolphins. We followed them W. While still in the buoy area, we found quite a bit of action 2 miles to the N. A larger pod of nearly 1000 dolphins was there, as was a lone juvenile humpback whale. The little whale was good about showing its tail flukes and was 1 of 2 whales to be identified today by our talented deck hand, Isabel. (You can see this information at the end of my report).
Incoming from the W we had an additional 4 whales, in a closely packed group. They were mostly logging on the surface it would make just an occasional dive during which we were able to see tail flukes, and so did Isabel. They drifted close to the boat, totally by chance, and we got some great looks. 50 or so scattered sea lions were also in the area.
We finally left the area and moved E. Shortly thereafter we were able to observe another 200-strong pod of dolphins. They came close to the boat and the water here was glassy…even more clear than what we have had everywhere else! We had some great views of these feisty little mammals.
A little further to the E captain Eddy spotted a very large kelp paddy. It had two large fins sticking out of it, one was erect and the other was flopped over. Being a fisherman at heart, Eddy immediately realized we was looking at a striped Marlin that was hiding in the kelp. Repeat after me: “Thank you El Niño.”
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
NOTE
Isabel took tail fluke photographs and looked them up in www.happywhale.com. Below you will find their identification numbers and some information I was able to look up. Anyone can use HappyWhale to look up information, and I urge you to submit your own tail fluke photographs and help this citizen science project.
CRC-16097
This whale has been recorded 20 times prior to today with the first record coming in 2014 off of Rincon here in the Santa Barbara Channel by one of our CINC naturalists that was doing photo ID on board the Condor Express. This animal has been recorded as far North as Morro Bay, and as far South has Puerto Vallarta Mexico. His last sighting was last July of Palos Verdes, near LA Harbor.
CRC-22612
Since first recorded in July 2024, this whale has been recorded 5 times. Based on observations that were logged, it has ranged as far as Monterey Bay California in the north to the Santa Barbara Channel in the south, where was photographed in May of this year by our deckhand Aspen.
Thanks to Isabel for today’s information.
