We ended up in the far western channel with very nice conditions and good sightings.
Updated: 33 minutes ago
Image: a look at our track from today’s adventure. (marinetraffic.com)
2026 09–24 SB Channel
The thin, low stratus layer burned-off as we left the docks and the rest of the day was sunny. Seas were calm and flat. Captain Dave and the crew ran SW to the buoy, then made the long haul NW to end up near Hondo (See today’s image). Totals: 2000 common dolphins and 1 humpback whale.
We were about 6 miles along our SW route when we intercepted our first dolphins. We spent a few minutes and continued. Out near the buoy there was a larger pod. After spending some time with the second batch of dolphins, the crew put the gaff on a floating bed pillow and pulled it from the ocean surface. Who said the ocean wasn’t a relaxing environment?
With not much lift observed along the way, we took notice of a quick blow near Hondo that caught our eye. Was it a Minke whale? As we got closer, the answer was a definite “no”. It was, in fact, a full grown adult humpback. It was in travel mode, moving steadily W. It had 8 minute dive times and was very regular in its breathing cycle. But, alas, it never showed us its tail.
On the way home, we found another dolphin pod and we did a slow drive-by to enable them to demonstrate their acrobatic skills. They were leaping high as well as riding our bow, side, and stern waves.
You never know what mother nature has in store.
Bob Perry
