Monterey Bay Whale Watch
List of Most Recent Marine Mammal Sightings
in the Monterey Bay Region
Since April 1, 2026
compiled by Monterey Bay Whale Watch
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 most if not 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) |
| 4/6 1:30 p.m. |
3 |
Gray whales |
|
3 |
Humpback whales (tail lobbing) |
|
| 4/6 9 a.m. |
4 |
Orca (CA51As – Andi, Dipper, Astrid, Nova) |
|
1 |
Humpback whale |
|
| 4/6 8 Hour All Day |
7 |
Orca (CA51As, CA50B) |
|
1 |
Humpback whale |
|
| 4/5 2:30 p.m. |
7 |
Humpback whales |
|
250 |
Pacific white-sided dolphin |
|
10 |
Northern right whale dolphin |
|
50 |
Risso’s dolphin |
|
| 4/5 1:30 p.m. |
5 |
Humpback whales |
|
500 |
Risso’s dolphin (Casper!) |
|
200 |
Northern right whale dolphin |
|
30 |
Pacific white-sided dolphin |
|
| 4/5 10 a.m. |
4 |
Gray whales |
|
6 |
Humpback whales (pec slapping) |
|
1500 |
Northern right whale dolphin |
|
1200 |
Risso’s dolphin (Casper!) |
|
15 |
Pacific white-sided dolphin |
|
1 |
Elephant seal |
|
| 4/5 9 a.m. |
10 |
Gray whales |
|
4 |
Humpback whales |
|
1500 |
Northern right whale dolphin |
|
1200 |
Risso’s dolphin (Casper!) |
|
150 |
Pacific white-sided dolphin |
|
| 4/4 2:30 p.m. |
4 |
Gray whales |
|
300 |
Pacific white-sided dolphin |
|
10 |
Northern right whale dolphin |
|
| 4/4 10 a.m. |
2 |
Humpback whales |
|
350 |
Pacific white-sided dolphin |
|
1 |
Blue shark |
|
| 4/4 9 a.m. |
2 |
Humpback whales |
|
35 |
Risso’s dolphin |
|
| 4/4 8 Hour All Day |
5 |
Fin whales |
|
2 |
Gray whales |
|
1 |
Humpback whale |
|
800 |
Risso’s dolphin |
|
600 |
Pacific white-sided dolphin |
|
30 |
Northern right whale dolphin |
|
1 |
Laysan albatross (rare!) |
|
| 4/3 1:30 p.m. |
4 |
Humpback whales (breach) |
|
50 |
Common dolphin |
|
| 4/3 10 a.m. |
2 |
Humpback whales |
|
6 |
Dall’s porpoise |
|
200 |
Northern right whale dolphin |
|
200 |
Pacific white-sided dolphin |
|
| 4/3 9 a.m. |
7 |
Humpback whales |
|
20o |
Pacific white-sided dolphin |
|
20 |
Northern right whale dolphin |
|
2 |
Mola mola |
|
| 4/2 9 a.m. |
9 |
Orca (prey sharing, celebratory play behaviors!) |
|
1 |
Humpback whale |
|
| 4/1 10 a.m. |
|
24 Humpback whales (friendly!) |
|
| 4/1 9 a.m. |
9 |
Orca |
|
25 |
Humpback whales (friendly!) |
|
150 |
Pacific white-sided dolphin |
|
100 |
Northern right whale dolphin |
|
|
|
Photos © 2026 Daniel Bianchetta and Morgan Quimby
 CA50B “Jimmy” surfacing right by the boat with part of a sea lion carcass (April 6, 2026)
 Incredible stampede of hundreds of Northern right whale dolphin (April 5, 2026)
 Incredible stampede of hundreds of Northern right whale dolphin (April 5, 2026)
 Common dolphin leaping alongside the boat (April 4, 2026)
 Pacific white-sided dolphin leaping in the boats wake (April 4, 2026)
 Killer whale tail lobbing upside down (April 2, 2026)
 Killer whale breaching on its side (April 2, 2026)
 Killer whale fluke waving at the surface (April 2, 2026)
 Brothers Orion and Bumper swimming alongside each other (April 1, 2026)
 CA51 and CA140B orca pods swimming together (April 1, 2026)
 CA51C Bumper surfacing alongside the boat (April 1, 2026)
 Friendly Humpback whale “mugging” the boat! (April 1, 2026)
Photos © 2026 Daniel Bianchetta and Morgan Quimby |
|
Copyright © 2026 Monterey Bay Whale Watch, LLC. No use of the sightings information is permitted without prior approval.
