Seven killer whales and, later, we got mugged by a young humpback.
- Bob Perry
- Aug 30
- 2 min read
2025 08–30 SB Channel
Hazy but sunny skies prevailed, and it was warm. As we left the harbor, the ocean surface was glassy with ripples. Later, when it picked up a to a refreshing breeze. Captain Eddy and the crew took a course east to platform habitat, then traveled west, and finally eastward towards the harbor. Sightings included 7 killer whales, 1500 common dolphins and 1 humpback.
Shortly after departing the harbor, we encountered a small pod of common dolphins. There were small pods occasionally all day.
Word spread of a killer whale pod in the eastern channel and we joined in the search. Around 11 o’clock we found them. There were seven of them, part of the CA51A pod. This is a well-known group in which there are 3 females, 3 calves and 1 large adult male. At first, they were traveling northeast. After a few lengthy dives and short surface intervals, they changed direction to the west. They kept their distance from the boats, and vice versa. This encounter was best viewed with binoculars or a telephone lens. Always great to see!
In the remaining time, Captain Eddy and the crew went on the hunt for additional whales. After running west toward the buoy, then turning North East back to the Harbor, a single, small, humpback whale was located by its spout. It immediately came to the boat, got friendly, and mugged us until it was time to go. It was an equal opportunity whale and paid visits to both sides of the boat and the stern. A great way to wrap up a day in the Channel.
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
NOTE: Here are the identities of today’s killer whales, courtesy of Alisa Schulman-Janiger of the California Killer Whale Project:
CA51A Aurora (~33 years old)
Daughter CA51A2 Andi (~14 years old)
Granddaughter CA51A2A Astrid (2 years old)
Daughter CA51A3 Dipper (11 years old)
Granddaughter CA51A3A Nova (1 year old)
Calf CA51A5, just under one year old.
CA50B Jimmy: ~30 years old
