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JULY 2024 MONTEREY BAY WHALE WATCH MARINE MAMMAL SIGHTINGS LIST

MARINE MAMMAL SIGHTINGS IN THE MONTEREY BAY REGION

Monterey Bay Whale Watch
List of Marine Mammal Sightings
in the Monterey Bay Region
July 2024
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Our sightings are updated every few days, listing sightings from Whale Watch trips, with indications of the numbers of marine mammals seen frequently, including Humpback Whales, Gray Whales, Blue Whales, Killer Whales, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Northern Right Whale Dolphins, and others. 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 listed.

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)
7/31 2:30 p.m. 15 Humpback Whales
7/31 10 a.m. 22 Humpback Whales (breaching, lunge-feeding)
1 Sperm Whale (Papaya)
7/31 9 a.m. 21 Humpback Whales
7 Risso’s Dolphins
7/30 2:30 p.m. 25 Humpback Whales (with 150 Sea Lions in a feeding frenzy)
7/30 10 a.m. 23 Humpback Whales
7/30 9 a.m. 32 Humpback Whales
7/29 2:30 p.m. 35 Humpback Whales (lunge-feeding, breaching)
15 Risso’s Dolphins
7/29 10 a.m. 8 Humpback Whales
1 Blue Whale
6 Risso’s Dolphins
7/29 9 a.m. 41 Humpback Whales (breaching, lunge-feeding, pec slapping)
1 Fin Whale
7/29 8 a.m. 68 Humpback Whales
All Day 1 Blue Whale
25 Risso’s Dolphins
1 Shark
7/28 2:30 p.m. 25 Humpback Whales
1 Blue Whale (rare sighting)
1 Fin Whale
7/28 10 a.m. 33 Humpback Whales
5 Harbor Porpoise
7/28 9 a.m. 19 Humpback Whales (lunge-feeding)
1 Minke Whale
5 Harbor Porpoise
7/27 5:30 p.m. 5 Humpback Whales
7/27 2:30 p.m. 10 Humpback Whales (lunge-feeding)
7/27 10 a.m. 25 Humpback Whales
1 Blue Whale (rare sighting)
7/27 9 a.m. 14 Humpback Whales (5 friendly whales)
5 Dall’s Porpoise
7/27 8 a.m. 53 Humpback Whales
All Day 10 Dall’s Porpoise
1 Mola Mola (Ocean Sunfish)
18 Black-footed Albatross
7/26 5:30 p.m. 5 Humpback Whales (lunge-feeding, breaching,
pec slapping, tail throwing)
7/26 2:30 p.m. 10 Humpback Whales (lunge-feeding)
7/26 10 a.m. 12 Humpback Whales (lunge-feeding, tail throwing, breaching)
9 Risso’s Dolphins
7/26 9 a.m. 11 Humpback Whales
30 Risso’s Dolphins
2 Harbor Porpoise
3-4 Black-footed Albatross
7/25 5:30 p.m. 15 Humpback Whales (lunge-feeding)
1 Harbor Porpoise
7/25 2:30 p.m. 24 Humpback Whales (lunge-feeding, pec slapping)
6 Risso’s Dolphins
3 Harbor Porpoise
7/25 10 a.m. 7 Humpback Whales waterfall breaching)
7/25 9 a.m. 8 Humpback Whales (lunge-feeding)
7/24 2:30 p.m. 15 Humpback Whales
7 Risso’s Dolphins
7/24 10 a.m. 40 Humpback Whales (lunge-feeding)
5 Risso’s Dolphins
3 Dall’s Porpoise
7/24 9 a.m. 18 Humpback Whales
7 Risso’s Dolphins
7/23 2:30 p.m. 22 Humpback Whales
3 Killer Whales (Orcas – CA138s)
7/23 10 a.m. 22 Humpback Whales
7/23 9 a.m. 32 Humpback Whales
100+ Risso’s Dolphins
7 Dall’s Porpoise
7/22 2:30 p.m. 15 Humpback Whales
20 Risso’s Dolphins (including Casper, who breached)
7/22 10 a.m. 35 Humpback Whales (breaching)
10 Risso’s Dolphins
7/22 9 a.m. 30 Humpback Whales (breaching, feeding)
10 Risso’s Dolphins (including Casper)
7/21 10 a.m. 8 Humpback Whales
5 Harbor Porpoise
1 Mola Mola (Ocean Sunfish)
7/21 9 a.m. 40 Humpback Whales
7/20 10 a.m. 35 Humpback Whales
4 Risso’s Dolphins
1 Dall’s Porpoise
7/20 9 a.m. 15 Humpback Whales
7/20 8 a.m. 19 Humpback Whales (lunge-feeding)
All Day 1 Minke Whale
30 Black-footed Albatross
7/16 2:30 p.m. 15 Humpback Whales
30 Risso’s Dolphins
7/16 10 a.m. 17 Humpback Whales (3 friendly, breaching, feeding frenzy)
15 Risso’s Dolphins
7 Dall’s Porpoise
7/16 9 a.m. 15 Humpback Whales (friendly, breaching, pec-slapping)
50 Risso’s Dolphins
7/15 5:30 p.m. 2 Humpback Whales (friendly cow and calf pair)
10 Risso’s Dolphins
7/15 2:30 p.m. 5 Humpback Whales (very friendly)
1 Fin Whale
10 Risso’s Dolphins
7/15 10 a.m. 7 Humpback Whales (very friendly)
30 Risso’s Dolphins
2 Dall’s Porpoise
7/15 9 a.m. 8 Humpback Whales (two friendly)
1 Fin Whale
6 Risso’s Dolphins
3 Dall’s Porpoise
7/14 5:30 p.m. 35 Humpback Whales (chronic breaching, pec slapping,
tail throwing, lunge feeding)
7/14 2:30 p.m. 10 Humpback Whales (breaching, lunge-feeding)
1 Sperm Whale
10 Black-footed Albatross
7/14 10 a.m. 16 Humpback Whales (breaching, pec slapping, lunge-feeding, friendly)
1 Sperm Whale
1 Blue Whale
1 Fin Whale
200 Pacific White-sided Dolphins
10 Risso’s Dolphins
1 Fur Seal
1 Salmon Shark
24 Black-footed Albatross
7/14 9 a.m. 37 Humpback Whales (breaching, tail lobbing)
1 Sperm Whale
1 Blue Whale
1 Fin Whale
400 Pacific White-sided Dolphins
50 Risso’s Dolphins (including Casper)
50 Northern Right Whale Dolphins
10 Black-footed Albatross
7/13 5:30 p.m. 12 Humpback Whales
6 Risso’s Dolphins
7/13 2:30 p.m. 9 Humpback Whales (mom and calf breaching)
1 Blue Whale
7/13 11 a.m. 13 Humpback Whales
12 Dall’s Porpoise
12 Black-footed Albatross
7/13 10 a.m. 20 Humpback Whales
15 Risso’s Dolphins (including Casper)
10 Dall’s Porpoise
7/13 9 a.m. 12 Humpback Whales
18 Risso’s Dolphins
7/12 5:30 p.m. 6 Humpback Whales
1 Minke Whale
20 Risso’s Dolphins (including Casper)
7/12 2:30 p.m. 8 Humpback Whales
15 Risso’s Dolphins (including Casper)
7/12 10 a.m. 19 Humpback Whales (breaching, pec slapping)
30 Risso’s Dolphins (including Casper)
7/12 9 a.m. 20 Humpback Whales (mom and calf pairs)
30 Risso’s Dolphins (including Casper)
1 Mola Mola (Ocean Sunfish)
5+ Black-footed Albatross
7/11 5:30 p.m. 3 Humpback Whales (pec slapping)
1 Blue Whale
7/11 2:30 p.m. 10 Humpback Whales
2 Blue Whales
70 Risso’s Dolphins
7/11 9 a.m. 14 Humpback Whales (mom and calf pairs)
4 Baird’s Beaked Whales
30 Risso’s Dolphins
7/10 2:30 p.m. 30 Humpback Whales
20 Pacific White-sided Dolphins
150 Risso’s Dolphins
15 Northern Right Whale Dolphins
7/10 9 a.m. 40 Humpback Whales (breaching, tail throwing)
100 Risso’s Dolphins
3 Black-footed Albatross
7/9 2:30 p.m. 8 Humpback Whales
50 Risso’s Dolphins
7/9 9 a.m. 8 Humpback Whales
1 Minke Whale
50 Pacific White-sided Dolphins
50 Risso’s Dolphins
7/8 2:30 p.m. 4 Humpback Whales
20 Risso’s Dolphins
1 Harbor Porpoise
7/8 9 a.m. 7 Humpback Whales
5 Killer Whales (Orcas)
21 Black-footed Albatross
7/7 5:30 p.m. 3 Humpback Whales
7/7 2:30 p.m. 2 Humpback Whales
5 Dall’s Porpoise
7/7 11 a.m. 8 Humpback Whales
15 Risso’s Dolphins
7/7 10 a.m. 7 Humpback Whales
5 Risso’s Dolphins
1 Mola Mola (Ocean Sunfish)
7/7 9 a.m. 9 Humpback Whales
10 Risso’s Dolphins
7/6 5:30 p.m. 1 Humpback Whale
7 Risso’s Dolphins
7/6 2:30 p.m. 2 Humpback Whales
9 Risso’s Dolphins
7/6 10 a.m. 2 Humpback Whales (breaching)
7/6 9 a.m. 4 Humpback Whales (friendly)
10 Risso’s Dolphins
7/5 2:30 p.m. 7 Humpback Whales
15 Risso’s Dolphins
7/5 11 a.m. 4 Humpback Whales
1 Minke Whale
7/5 10 a.m. 4 Humpback Whales
25 Risso’s Dolphins (including Casper)
7/5 9 a.m. 2 Humpback Whales
20 Risso’s Dolphins
15 Dall’s Porpoise
7/4 5:30 p.m. 3 Humpback Whales
25 Risso’s Dolphins (including Casper)
7/4 2:30 p.m. 8 Humpback Whales
30 Risso’s Dolphins (including Casper)
7/4 11 a.m. 15 Humpback Whales
30 Risso’s Dolphins (including Casper)
10 Dall’s Porpoise
7/4 10 a.m. 7 Humpback Whales
100 Risso’s Dolphins
10 Dall’s Porpoise
7/4 9 a.m. 19 Humpback Whales (lunge-feeding)
25 Risso’s Dolphins (including Casper)
7/3 5:30 p.m. 3 Humpback Whales (lunge-feeding)
4 Harbor Porpoise
7/3 2:30 p.m. 8 Humpback Whales
8 Pacific White-sided Dolphins
3 Risso’s Dolphins
7/3 10 a.m. 1 Humpback Whale
6 Killer Whales (Orcas – CA51As + CA50B)
7/1 2:30 p.m. 7 Humpback Whales
7/1 9 a.m. 4 Humpback Whales (breaching)
30 Pacific White-sided Dolphins
30 Risso’s Dolphins
7/1 8 a.m. 7 Humpback Whales (breaching)
All Day 30 Pacific White-sided Dolphins
30 Risso’s Dolphins
Photos © 2024 Daniel Bianchetta

 

a body of water

Humpback Whale ‘Snowy Owl’ (July 31, 2024)

 

a flock of seagulls are swimming in a body of water

Pigeon Guillemots (July 31, 2024)

 

a bird flying over the ocean

Breaching Humpback Whale (July 30, 2024)

 

a whale jumping out of the water

Blue Whale (July 27, 2024)

 

a man standing next to a body of water next to the ocean

Humpback Whale dorsal fin (July 27, 2024)

 

a flock of seagulls are swimming in a body of water

Common Murres (July 26, 2024)

 

a dog swimming in a body of water

Southern Sea Otters (July 25, 2024)

 

a large body of water

Killer Whales (Orcas – CA138s July 23, 2024)

 

an animal swimming in the water

Casper the white Risso’s Dolphin (July 22, 2024)

 

a whale jumping out of the water

Two Humpback Whales diving (July 22, 2024)

 

a bird flying over a body of water

Casper the white Risso’s Dolphin with Brandt’s
Cormorants and Pigeon Guillemot (July 16, 2024)

 

a small boat in a body of water

Three Humpback Whales (July 16, 2024)

 

a whale jumping out of the water

Humpback Whale tail lobbing (July 16, 2024)

 

a group of people riding on top of a snow covered mountain

Humpback Whales lunge-feeding (July 16, 2024)

 

an animal swimming in the water

Humpback Whale close-up with rainblow (July 15, 2024)

 

a bird flying in the sky

Bow-riding Dall’s Porpoise (July 15, 2024)

 

a whale jumping out of the water

Fin Whale (July 15, 2024)

 

a whale jumping out of the water

Sperm Whale ‘Papaya’ fluking up (July 14, 2024)

 

a whale jumping out of the water

Sperm Whale surfacing (July 14, 2024)

 

a bird swimming in water next to the ocean

Brown Pelican (July 14, 2024)

 

a whale jumping out of the water

White Risso’s Dolphin Casper and friends
(July 13, 2024)

 

a person riding a wave on a surfboard in the ocean

Tail of white Risso’s Dolphin (July 12, 2024)

 

an animal swimming in the water

Casper the white Risso’s Dolphin (July 12, 2024)

 

a boat on a body of water

Blue Whale fluking up to dive (July 11, 2024)

 

a whale jumping out of the water

Blue Whale (July 11, 2024)

 

a boat on a body of water

Humpback Whale Fluke (FIBB-1BB220 – July 11, 2024)

 

a whale swimming under water

Mother and calf Humpback Whales (July 11, 2024)

 

a bird swimming in water

Breaching Risso’s Dolphin (July 9, 2024)

 

a whale jumping out of the water

Lunge-feeding Humpback Whale (July 9, 2024)

 

a bird flying over a body of water

Killer Whales (Orcas – July 8, 2024)

 

a large body of water

Humpback Whales (July 7, 2024)

 

a bird swimming in water next to the ocean

Albatross (July 7, 2024)

 

a seal on the snow

Sea Lion and Seagull (July 6, 2024)

 

a bird swimming in water

Sea Otter eating a Crab (July 5, 2024)

 

a dog swimming in a body of water

Harbor Seal (July 4, 2024)

 

animal on the water

Risso’s Dolphins Casper and friend (July 4, 2024)

 

a swan swimming in a body of water

Tail of Risso’s Dolphin Casper (July 4, 2024)

 

a dolphin swimming in a body of water

Killer Whale spyhopping (Orca – July 3, 2024)

 

a dolphin jumping out of the water

Killer Whale near Moss Landing (Orca – July 3, 2024)

 

a bird swimming in water next to the ocean

Black-footed Albatross (July 1, 2024)

 

a flock of seagulls flying over a body of water

Brown Pelicans and Sea Lions (July 1, 2024)

 

a bird flying over a body of water

Breaching Humpback Whale (July 1, 2024)

 

Photos © 2024 Daniel Bianchetta

Copyright © 2024 Monterey Bay Whale Watch, LLC. No use of the sightings information is permitted without prior approval.