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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 July 1, 2026 
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 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)
7/3 10 a.m. 10 Orca (CA51As, CA50B, CA220s)
1 Humpback whale
4 Harbor porpoise
1 Flying fish!
7/1 1:30 p.m. 13 Humpback whales (Mister Magic!)
7/1 9 a.m. 35 Humpback whales
20 Pacific white-sided dolphin
30 Long-beaked common dolphin
5 Risso’s dolphin
Photos © 2026 Daniel Bianchetta and Morgan Quimby

 

Orca breaching above ocean surface with dorsal fin visible.

Big male killer whale breaching (July 3, 2026)

 

Orca breaching in ocean water.

Killer whale calf breaching fully out of the water! (July 3, 2026)

 

Orca surfacing in the ocean with mouth open.

Killer whale calf spy hopping with their mouth open giving a great view of their teeth (July 3, 2026)

 

Whale tail above water surface, ocean background.

Male killer whale fluke slapping (July 3, 2026)

A humpback whale breaching above the ocean surface with distant hills in the background.

Mother Humpback whale chin slapping (July 3, 2026)

 

Whale tail splashing water in ocean near coastal city.

Humpback whale calf tail lobbing (July 3, 2026)

 

Humpback whale breaching near a coastline under a clear sky.

Mother Humpback whale breaching (July 3, 2026)

 

A humpback whale breaching the ocean surface.

Humpback whale breaching (July 1, 2026)

 

Two whale tails emerging from the ocean, with water splashing.

Double Humpback whale flukes (July 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.