Wind and seas near Santa Cruz Island stimulated loads of whale and sea lion action.
- Bob Perry
- Jun 11
- 2 min read
2025 06–11 SB Channel
Captain Eddy and the crew ran a straight line towards the western end of beautiful Santa Cruz Island. Most of the action today was in The Lanes and south. There was a high stratus layer. Seas started out glassy near the beach but quickly deteriorated to moderate breeze and moderate swell from the west. Sightings were phenomenal: 10+ Humpback whales and 150 California sea lions. As often happens, the raw numbers do not tell the whole story.
Along the southern edge of The Lanes our first sighting was a solo humpback that was moving west, directly Into the oncoming seas. (See today’s photograph for an example). The whale was in “travel mode” along with an entourage of at least 30 California sea lions. The whale sent spray high into the wind as it busted through the waves.
Nearby there was birdnado and a group of 6 more humpbacks. The group included a mother with her very active little calf. All 6 spent nearly 2 hours lunge feeding on the surface, which included both vertical and sideways lunging. Some lunges were individuals, somewhere pairs, trios and groups of five. Captain Eddy mentioned that the little calf might have been engaged in one of its first lunging attempts alongside. Although it did lunge, it was always alongside the mother. It also spent a lot of time goofing off: rolling around, slapping its tail around, etc. So fun to watch! Perhaps 100 or more sea lions were also there feeding the whole time with the whales. Where were the dolphins?
In the distance we saw more spouts and a whale that breached. Most people got to see it though it was a bit far away. On the way home, we slowly drove by a group of 5 whales just south of The Farm.
You never know what Mother Nature has in store.
Bob Perry
