Subtropical humidity and occasional sprinkles with lots of dolphins and some nice humpback encounters.
- Bob Perry
- Aug 23
- 2 min read
2025 08–23 SB Channel
It was humid, hazy, and there were patches of light tropical rain occasionally during the trip today. A moderate breeze kept it fresh, and a there was a swell from the west. Captain Dave and the crew took the Condor Express south, almost to the lanes, then moved northwest to a spot about 4 miles south of Goleta Bay. From there, we moved east back to the harbor. Sightings included 4 humpback whales and 3000 common dolphins.
Once again, common dolphins were scattered all over the area, starting with our first sighting just north of the farm. Groups were in the 200-and-larger range but did not form megapods. There were quite a few later in a single birdnado.
South of the lanes, we found our first 2 whales. It was a large female with a very small calf. (Our deckhand Isabel said that the female was first identified in 2005 in Baja California). The two spent quite a bit of time logging on the surface and at one point drifted close to the boat for some good looks.
After a move northwest, there were lots of dolphins and that aforementioned birdnado. We headed for a breach in the distance. When we got closer, a single humpback whale breached two more times. It then went about feeding subsurface.
As we made the turn to head home everyone saw an additional whale breaching in the distance…fun to see! The trip back to the Harbor was a bit damp as we experienced a few more subtropical sprinkles.
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
Note: The American Cetacean Society annual eight hour trip is on the books for September 6. We only do one of these longer trips each year and it is great to spend more time with animals or potentially travel further offshore. This event usually attracts serious and knowledgeable whale lovers from up and down the coast. It is always fun to share the day with like-minded whale lovers. You can sign up here:
