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LATEST SIGHTINGS

MARINE MAMMAL SIGHTINGS IN THE MONTEREY BAY

Monterey Bay Whale Watch
List of Most Recent Marine Mammal Sightings
in the Monterey Bay Region

Since August 1, 2025
compiled by Monterey Bay Whale Watch
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This list, updated every few days, includes reported sightings from Monterey Bay Whale Watch trips. Unusual sightings of other marine animals such as Leatherback Sea Turtles and Basking Sharks are also listed, in addition to unusual seabirds such as Albatross and Brown Boobies. California Sea Lions are mentioned only if numbers or behavior are of interest. Harbor Seals and Southern Sea Otters, which are seen on all whale watching trips, are not included in the list. Each month the sightings from the previous month are moved to a monthly summary list.

These sightings are copyright protected and may not be used without permission from Nancy Black. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use of this information is a violation of federal copyright law, and is subject to prosecution to the full extent of the law.

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   Killer Whale identifications by the California Killer Whale Project
Date # Type of Animal(s)
8/31 2:30 p.m. 7 Humpback whales (breaching, pec slapping, & tail slapping)
8/31 1:30 p.m. 16 Humpback whales (breaching, pec slapping, tail slapping, feeding)
8/31 10 a.m. 29 Humpback whales (kelping, feeding, & breaching)
1 Mola mola (Ocean sunfish)
8/31 9 a.m. 32 Humpback whales (feeding with sea lions)
1 Mola mola (Ocean sunfish)
8/30 5:30 p.m. Sunset 4 killer whales (CA39As “Hopper’s pod”)
8/30 2:30 p.m. 20 Humpback whales
8/30 1:30 p.m. 13 Humpback whales
8/30 11 a.m. 51 Humpback whales (breaching, friendly, & lunge feeding)
8/30 10 a.m. 50 Humpback whales
8/30 9 a.m. 42 Humpback whales
15 Risso’s dolphin
8/29 5:30 p.m. Sunset 5 Humpback whales (vertical lunge feeding & pec slapping)
8/29 2:30 p.m. 5 Humpback whales (feeding frenzy & chronic breacher)
8/29 10 a.m. 40 Humpback whales
30 Risso’s dolphin (including Casper!)
8/29 9 a.m. 40 Humpback whales
8/28 1:30 p.m. 20 Humpback whales (breaching, tail throwing, pec slapping)
8/28 9 a.m. 45 Humpback whales (feeding frenzy)
8/27 1:30 p.m. 22 Humpback whales
8/27 9 a.m. 26 Humpback whales (lots of surface activity)
1 Minke whale
1 Harbor porpoise
8/26 2:30 p.m. 12 Humpback whales (feeding frenzy with sea lions)
8/26 10 a.m. 8-10 Orca (CA39As, CA49B Richie, CA163 Liner, CA180, CA175A
18 Humpback whales (feeding with sea lions)
8/26 9 a.m. 8-10 Orca (CA39As, CA49B Richie, CA163 Liner, CA180, CA175A
25 Humpback whales
8/25 1:30 p.m. 16 Humpback whales (feeding frenzy)
8/25 9 a.m. 22 Humpback whales (feeding with sea lions)
35 Risso’s dolphin
8/25 8 a.m. All Day 25 Humpback whales (feeding frenzy with sea lions)
60 Risso’s dolphin
3 Harbor porpoise
8/24 5:30 p.m. 17 Humpback whales (friendly mugging, breaching)
8/24 2:30 p.m. 30 Humpback whales
8/24 9 a.m. 2 Orca (CA26, CA36)
20 Humpback whales (feeding)
1 Black-footed albatross
8/23 5:30 p.m. 11 Humpback whales (lunge feeding)
8/23 1:30 p.m. 16 Humpback whales
8/23 10 a.m. 18 Humpback whales (surface active)
4 Black-footed albatross
8/23 9 a.m. 2 Humpback whales
8/23 8 a.m. All Day 59 Humpback whales
8/22 10 a.m. 22 Humpback whales (breaching, tail slapping)
8/22 9 a.m. 20 Humpback whales (breaching, tail slapping)
8/21 2:30 p.m. 12 Humpback whales
8/21 10 a.m. 27 Humpback whales
8/21 9 a.m. 25 Humpback whales (feeding frenzy with sea lions)
8/20 1:30 p.m. 11 Humpback whales (breaching, pec slapping)
8/20 10 a.m. 15 Humpback whales
1 Black-footed albatross
8/19 2:30 p.m. 8 Humpback whales
30 Risso’s dolphin
8/19 10 a.m. 32 Humpback whales
12 Pacific white-sided dolphin
8/19 9 a.m. 30 Humpback whales
15 Risso’s dolphin
8/18 1:30 p.m. 18 Humpback whales
8 Risso’s dolphin
8/18 9 a.m. 24 Humpback whales (feeding)
20 Risso’s dolphin
8/17 5:30 p.m. 20 Humpback whales (feeding with sea lions, tail lobbing, pec slapping)
8/17 2:30 p.m. 15 Humpback whales (feeding with sea lions, and tail lobbing)
8/17 10 a.m. 35 Humpback whales (feeding with sea lions)
17 Risso’s dolphin
8/17 9 a.m. 25 Humpback whales
70 Risso’s dolphin
8/16 5:30 p.m. 5 Humpback whales (friendly!)
8/16 2:30 p.m. 26 Humpback whales
6 Risso’s dolphin
8/16 1:30 p.m. 19 Humpback whales (tail slapping)
10 Risso’s dolphin
8/16 10 a.m. 26 Humpback whales
8/16 9 a.m. 27 Humpback whales (feeding)
15 Risso’s dolphin
8/15 9 a.m. 22 Humpback whales
15 Risso’s dolphin
8/14 9 a.m. 50 Humpback whales (breaching)
8/13 1:30 p.m. 12 Humpback whales (tail lobbing and lunge feeding)
8/13 10 a.m. 28 Humpback whales
13 Risso’s dolphin
8/13 9 a.m. 20 Humpback whales
30 Risso’s dolphin
3 Black-footed albatross
8/12 2:30 p.m. 20 Humpback whales
8/12 10 a.m. 40 Humpback whales
30 Risso’s dolphin
8/12 9 a.m. 10 Humpback whales
8/11 2:30 p.m. 7 Humpback whales (tail slapping, breach, pec slapping)
8/11 9 a.m. 17 Humpback whales (pec slapping, breach, feeding)
30 Risso’s dolphin
2 Black-footed albatross
8/10 5:30 p.m. Sunset 10 Humpback whales (friendly)
75 Risso’s dolphin
20 Pacific white-sided dolphin
15 Dall’s porpoise
1 Guadalupe fur seal
6 Black-f00ted albatross
8/10 2:30 p.m. 13 Humpback whales (friendly, breaching)
175 Risso’s dolphin
30 Pacific white-sided dolphin
8/10 1:30 p.m. 12 Humpback whales (friendly, pec slapping, breach)
50 Risso’s dolphin
8/10 10 a.m. 18 Humpback whales
15 Risso’s dolphin
3 Dall’s porpoise
5 Black-footed albatross
8/10 9 a.m. 9 Humpback whales (3 friendlies including Boomerang, lunge feeding, pec slapping)
1 Fin whale
5 Dall’s porpoise
20 Risso’s dolphin
8/9 2:30 p.m. 11 Humpback whales (tail lobbing)
8/9 1:30 p.m. 15 Humpback whales (tail slapping, pec slapping)
8/9 10 a.m. Private Charter 12 Humpback whales
1 Minke whale
10 Long-beaked common dolphin
8/9 9 a.m. 9 Humpback whales (2 friendlies)
12 Risso’s dolphin
6 Dall’s porpoise
8/9 8 a.m. All Day 15 Humpback whales
45 Risso’s dolphin
20 Pacific white-sided dolphin
1 Northern right whale dolphin
1 Mola mola
20 Black-footed albatross
8/8 5:30 p.m. 8 Humpback whales
20 Dall’s porpoise
6 Risso’s dolphin
8/8 2:30 p.m. 12 Humpback whales
1 Blue whale
8/8 10 a.m. 10 Humpback whales (breaching, pec slapping)
30 Risso’s dolphin
8/8 9 a.m. 18 Humpback whales (breaching, tail slapping, pec slapping)
8/7 10 a.m. 6 Humpback whales
2 Black-footed albatross
8/7 9 a.m. 12 Humpback whales (lunge feeding and friendly)
8/6 2:30 p.m. 16 Humpback whales
8/6 10 a.m. 18 Humpback whales
8/6 9 a.m. 40 Humpback whales (breaching and pec slapping)
8/5 2:30 p.m. 25 Humpback whales
8/5 10 am. 35 Humpback whales
150 Risso’s dolphin (Casper!)
10 Pacific white-sided dolphin
8/5 9:30 a.m. private charter 35 Humpback whales
80 Risso’s dolphin
8/5 9 a.m. 32 Humpback whales
175 Risso’s dolphin (Casper!)
8/4 10 a.m. 25 Humpback whales (feeding)
8/4 9 a.m. 15 Humpback whales (pec slapping, feeding)
8/3 9 a.m. 8 Humpback whales (kelping, breach, tail slap)
100 Risso’s dolphin
8/2 2:30 p.m. 1 Humpback whales
30 Risso’s dolphin
8/2 1:30 p.m. 7 Humpback whales
30 Risso’s dolphin
5 Pacific white-sided dolphin
8/2 10 a.m. 30 Humpback whales
8/2 9 a.m. 7 Humpback whales
13 Risso’s dolphin
8/2 8 a.m. All Day 2 Blue whales
2 Fin whales
13 Humpback whales
8 Risso’s dolphin
3 Pacific white-sided dolphin
8/1 1:30 p.m. 11 Humpback whales
8/1 9 a.m. 30 Humpback whales
Photos © 2025 Daniel Bianchetta and Morgan Quimby

 

Three orcas surfacing in the ocean with a bird flying overhead.

Orcas calf porpoising alongside it’s pod (August 26, 2025)

 

Whale fin in ocean with a boat in the background, filled with people watching the sea.

Impressive dorsal of bull orca CA49B “Richie” with our vessel the Blackfin in the background (August 26, 2025)

 

Orca swimming in calm sea with dorsal fin above water near distant shoreline.

Bull orca CA49B “Richie” surfacing (August 26, 2025)

 

Humpback whale breaching vertically above calm ocean surface against grey sky.

Humpback whale displaying a high chin slap breach (August 25, 2025)

 

Gray Risso's dolphin breaching in calm sea, overcast sky.

Risso’s dolphin breaching (August 25, 2025)

 

A dolphin riding a wave in calm ocean water, partially submerged.

Dall’s porpoise surfacing fast by the boat (August 25, 2025)

 

Orca dorsal fin surfacing in calm ocean waters under a clear sky.

Orca surfacing in calm waters (August 24, 2025)

 

Humpback whale surfacing with mouth open, showing baleen, in ocean waters.

Humpback whale lunge feeding (August 23, 2025)

 

A humpback whale breaches vertically from the ocean, with barnacles on its head on a cloudy day.

Humpback whale calf chin slapping (August 22, 2025)

 

A dark bird with distinctive white markings flies against a clear sky.

Pomarine jaeger (August 22, 2025)

 

Two sea otters floating in water, one holding a crab, the other holding something red.

Mother and pup Southern sea otters feeding on a crab in the harbor (August 22, 2025)

 

Humpback whale breaching out of the ocean, surrounded by splashing water.

Humpback whale breaching (August 20, 2025)

 

Two whale flippers protruding from the ocean surface, with barnacles visible on the edges.

Humpback whale double pec slapping (August 20, 2025)

 

A humpback whale breaching out of the ocean, creating a huge splash.

Humpback whale breaching (August 20, 2025)

 

A whale breaching near a boat with people watching in a scenic ocean bay.

Humpback whale calf breaching (August 18, 2025)

 

Close-up of a vibrant blue jellyfish-like marine organism floating in dark water.

Velella velella floating by (August 18, 2025)

 

Bird with wide wingspan flying low over the ocean surface.

Black-footed albatross soaring low over the water (August 17, 2025)

 

Ocean sunfish swimming near the surface of dark water.

Young Mola mola resting at the surface (August 17, 2025)

 

Seal floating on its back in water with flippers raised.

Guadalupe fur seal resting at the surface (August 17, 2025)

 

Whale tail emerging from ocean with distant hills in the background.

Humpback whale tail slapping (August 17, 2025)

 

Whale tail above ocean with mountains in the background and a bird flying overhead.

Humpback whale doing a headstand (August 16, 2025)

 

Bird in flight with fish in beak over water, distant blurry islands in background.

Tern with a fresh catch (August 16, 2025)

 

A humpback whale breaching partially above calm ocean water under a cloudy sky.

Humpback whale chin slapping (August 14, 2025)

 

Seal head above water in ocean, looking upwards with visible whiskers.

Elephant seal resting at the surface (August 14, 2025)

 

A humpback whale breaching the ocean surface, showing its head and pectoral fin.

Humpback whale breaching backwards (August 11, 2025)

 

Seal in ocean with raised flipper covered in barnacles, overcast sky.

Young Humpback whale pec slapping and playing with a sea lion (August 11, 2025)

 

White dolphin surfaces in ocean water with dorsal fin visible.

Casper the Risso’s dolphin (August 11, 2025)

 

Humpback whale lunge-feeding with mouth open, splashing water, near a swimming sea lion.

“Boomerang” the Humpback whale lunge feeding (August 10, 2025)

 

Close-up of a whale's mouth and baleen plates emerging from the water with splashing waves.

Anchovy escaping from “Boomerang” the Humpback whale lunge feeding (August 10, 2025)

 

Humpback whale breaches with a bird flying nearby over calm ocean water.

“Boomerang” the Humpback whale lunge feeding (August 10, 2025)

 

A whale fin partially above the water surface with visible barnacles in a calm sea.

“Boomerang” the Humpback whale pec slapping (August 10, 2025)

 

Close-up of a whale's eye and skin with markings, photographed underwater.

Open eye of “Boomerang” the friendly Humpback whale looking at our passengers (August 10, 2025)

 

Humpback whale head with barnacles above water.

Rostrum of “Boomerang” the friendly Humpback whale checking out our passengers (August 10, 2025)

 

Two humpback whales with barnacles swimming close together in calm ocean water.

3 Humpback whales rolling around and spyhopping with each other (August 10, 2025)

 

A dolphin partially submerged, splashing through calm water.

Dall’s porpoise speeding by (August 10, 2025)

 

A dolphin with distinctive markings jumps out of the water in the ocean.

Risso’s dolphin breaching (August 10, 2025)

 

Close-up of a blue sea creature with a sail-like structure floating on water.

Velella velella (by the wind sailor) drifting by on the water (August 9, 2025)

 

Two sea lions swimming in water, looking towards the camera.

Pair of curious sea lions checking out our passengers (August 9, 2025)

 

Close-up of barnacles and parasites on a whale's skin surface, showcasing marine life details.

Close up of Humpback whale tubercles, barnacles, and whale lice during a friendly whale encounter! (August 9, 2025)

 

Sunfish partially submerged in rippling ocean water, with dorsal fin visible.

Giant Mola mola (August 9, 2025)

 

Two humpback whales breaching with mouths open, showing baleen, in ocean waters.

Humpback whale lunge feeding (August 9, 2025)

 

Two humpback whales breaching with mouths open, a seagull flying above, and gray sea background.

Humpback whale pair lunge feeding (August 9, 2025)

 

Group of dolphins surfacing in ocean with splashing water.

Porpoising Risso’s dolphin (August 8, 2025)

 

Blue whale surfacing in the ocean, with a visible back and small dorsal fin.

Blue whale surfacing (August 8, 2025)

 

A white whale swimming in blue ocean water, partially submerged.

Casper the Risso’s dolphin (August 5, 2025)

 

Humpback whale tail above ocean surface, water droplets falling, sun sparkling on sea.

Humpback whale pec slapping (August 4, 2025)

 

Two whale fins emerging from the ocean against a clear blue sky.

Humpback whale pec slapping (August 4, 2025)

 

Close-up of brown pelican catching fish in its beak above ocean water.

Brown pelican with a freshly caught anchovy in its open bill (August 4, 2025)

 

Humpback whale surfacing with seaweed on its head in the ocean.

Humpback whale kelping (August 3, 2025)

 

A humpback whale breaching the ocean surface, covered in barnacles, with water splashing around.

Humpback whale breaching (August 2, 2025)

 

Close-up of a whale surfacing in calm ocean water.

Fin whale surfacing showing off their characteristic white lower right jaw (August 1, 2025)

 

Blue whale partially submerged in ocean with cloudy sky and hills in the background.

Blue whale surfacing (August 1, 2025)

 

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