2018 10-17 SB Channel
We’ve had a great stretch of weather in the Channel and today was another nice one. It was sunny and it was calm. Captain Dave and his crew ran across the Santa Barbara Channel and ended up west of Santa Cruz Island. Total sightings included: 2 humpback whales, one Minke whale, and 1500 long-beaked common dolphins.
The single Minke whale was spotted just 2 miles offshore. It was fairly friendly and made a couple of close passes by the Condor Express. Dave continued on a southerly course until a large pod of dolphins located the boat near The Lanes. It was great fun!
After the dolphin encounter we found our first whale west of the West End of the Island. It was mixed-in with lots of dolphins. It was a small whale, probably a juvenile.
Dave then turned and headed to the northwest where loads more dolphins were encountered. Great dolphin day for sure!
On the way home a second juvenile whale was located and good looks were had by all. Both whales today were spending 4 – 5 minutes down (feeding subsurface?) and showed us plenty of nice tail flukes.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store. Bob Perry Condor Express, and CondorExpressPhotos.com