Thousands of dolphins plus 5 humpbacks
- Bob Perry
- 4 minutes ago
- 1 min read
Image: a humpback whale spy-hops close to the Condor Express.
2026 05–30 SB Channel
It was a gorgeous, sunny day, but it was quite windy and bumpy offshore, so we did not go there. In fact, we were never more than 4 miles off the coast. Sightings were phenomenal: 5000 common dolphins, 5 humpback whales, and 1 ocean sunfish (Mola mola).
Captain Dave and the crew ran W. When we were approximately 4 miles S of platform Holly we encountered a very lush area. There were anchovy schools on the surface, lots of birdnados, and 5000 common dolphins. Soon we found a total of 5 humpback whales that were busy feeding alongside the birds and dolphins. There was a single large humpback whale and 2 cow-calf pairs. The calves were messing around and socializing. All the while, the 5 were following the birds and dolphins as they moved continually to the E. There were at least 3 close approaches, plus a lot of rolling around, upside down swimming, lobtailing, and spy hopping, all by 1 calf in particular. (See today’s photo for an example).
Just outside the Harbor, the last sighting of the day was a large adult ocean sunfish (Mola mola). Everyone had great looks at this 4 foot diameter fish.
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
