Monterey Bay Whale Watch
List of Most Recent Marine Mammal Sightings
in the Monterey Bay Region
Since December 1, 2025
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) |
|
|
| 12/14 1:30 p.m. |
8 |
Humpback whales |
|
| 12/14 9 a.m. |
10 |
Humpback whales |
|
1000 |
Risso’s dolphin |
|
200 |
Pacific white-sided dolphin |
|
1 |
Thresher shark |
|
6 |
Mola mola |
|
| 12/13 1:30 p.m. |
10 |
Humpback whales (tail lobbing) |
|
| 12/13 9 a.m. |
8 |
Humpback whales |
|
| 12/12 9 a.m. |
20 |
Humpback whales |
|
4 |
Dall’s porpoise |
|
| 12/11 9 a.m. |
23 |
Humpback whales |
|
12 |
Bottlenose dolphin |
|
| 12/10 9 a.m. |
1 |
Fin whale |
|
14 |
Humpback whales |
|
1 |
Black-footed albatross |
|
| 12/9 1:30 p.m. |
8-10 |
Orca |
|
1 |
Humpback whale |
|
| 12/8 1:30 p.m |
12 |
Humpback whales |
|
| 12/8 9 a.m. |
7 |
Humpback whales |
|
500 |
Pacific white-sided dolphin |
|
500 |
Northern right whale dolphin |
|
| 12/7 1:30 p.m. |
9 |
Humpback whales |
|
| 12/7 9 a.m. |
5 |
Humpback whales |
|
1 |
Fin whale |
|
| 12/6 1:30 p.m. |
6 |
Humpback whales |
|
200 |
Pacific white-sided dolphin |
|
15 |
Northern right whale dolphin |
|
| 12/6 9 a.m. |
10 |
Humpback whales (feeding with sea lions) |
|
1 |
Laysan albatross (rare!) |
|
18 |
Ancient murrelets |
|
1 |
Cassin’s auklet |
|
1 |
Pomarine jaeger |
|
6 |
Mola mola |
|
| 12/3 1:30 p.m. |
2 |
Humpback whales (Angel Wing |
|
2 |
Mola mola |
|
| 12/3 9 a.m. |
3 |
Humpback whales |
|
1 |
Mola mola |
|
1 |
Black-footed albatross |
|
| 12/2 9 a.m. |
7 |
Humpback whales |
|
| 12/1 9 a.m. |
25 |
Humpback whales (feeding frenzy) |
|
|
|
Photos © 2025 Daniel Bianchetta and Morgan Quimby
 Breaching Mola mola (December 14, 2025)
 Pacific white-sided dolphin mid backflip (December 14, 2025)
 Pacific white-sided dolphin mid backflip (December 14, 2025)
 Risso’s dolphin spy hopping with her calf surfacing close behind her (December 14, 2025)
 Angel Wing the Humpback whale tail lobbing (December 13, 2025)
 Angel Wing the Humpback whale tail slapping (December 13, 2025)
 Humpback whale chin slapping (December 11, 2025)
 California sea lion pair jumping around (December 11, 2025)
 Fin whale surfacing (December 10, 2025)
 Pacific white-sided dolphin porpoising (December 8, 2025)
 Northern right whale dolphin porpoising (December 8, 2025)
 Trio of Humpback whales lunge feeding (December 8, 2025)
 Pacific white-sided dolphin breaching (December 6, 2025)
 Humpback whale exhale blow creating a “rainblow” (December 6, 2025)
 Humpback whale feeding alongside sea lions (December 6, 2025)
 Laysan albatross soaring over the swells – a rare sight we only get to see a few times a year! (December 6, 2025)
 Brown pelican close up (December 3, 2025)
 Feeding group of three Humpback whales surfacing and fluking up in the swell (December 1, 2025)
Photos © 2025 Daniel Bianchetta and Morgan Quimby |
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Copyright © 2025 Monterey Bay Whale Watch, LLC. No use of the sightings information is permitted without prior approval.
