Monterey Bay Whale Watch
List of Most Recent Marine Mammal Sightings
in the Monterey Bay Region
Since August 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) |
|
| 8/12 2:30 p.m. |
12 |
Humpback whales (feeding) |
|
| 8/12 10 a.m. |
1 |
Blue whale |
|
5 |
Humpback whales |
|
| 8/12 9 a.m. |
4 |
Orca (CA216Bs) |
|
2 |
Humpback whales (chronic breaching) |
|
| 8/11 2:30 p.m. |
8 |
Humpback whales (lunge feeding!) |
|
| 8/11 1:30 p.m. |
10 |
Humpback whales (lunge feeding!) |
|
| 8/11 10 a.m. |
4 |
Orca (CA113s, CA177, CA20) |
|
16 |
Humpback whales (lunge feeding) |
|
| 8/11 9 a.m. |
4 |
Orca (CA113s, CA177, CA20) |
|
12 |
Humpback whales (lunge feeding) |
|
15 |
Dall’s porpoise |
|
| 8/10 1:30 p.m. |
6 |
Humpback whales (lunge feeding!) |
|
| 8/10 10 a.m. |
14 |
Humpback whales |
|
600 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 8/10 9 a.m. |
12 |
Humpback whales |
|
600 |
Long-beaked common dolphin (hunting fish!) |
|
| 8/9 1:30 p.m. |
9 |
Humpback whales (breaching mom + calf) |
|
| 8/9 10 a.m. |
17 |
Humpback whales |
|
75 |
Risso’s dolphin |
|
| 8/9 9 a.m. |
18 |
Humpback whales |
|
2 |
Minke whales |
|
1500 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
100 |
Risso’s dolphin |
|
| 8/8 5:30 p.m. |
3 |
Humpback whales (friendly) |
|
| 8/8 2:30 p.m. |
4 |
Humpback whales (chronic breaching calf) |
|
400 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 8/8 11 a.m. |
12 |
Humpback whales |
|
2000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 8/8 10 a.m. |
12 |
Humpback whales |
|
2000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 8/8 9 a.m. |
18 |
Humpback whales |
|
2000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 8/7 5:30 p.m. |
3 |
Humpback whales |
|
| 8/7 1:30 p.m. |
6 |
Humpback whales |
|
1 |
Minke whale |
|
400 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 8/7 10 a.m. |
10 |
Humpback whales |
|
2000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 8/7 9 a.m. |
17 |
Humpback whales |
|
2000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 8/6 1:30 p.m. |
9 |
Humpback whales (breach) |
|
| 8/6 10 a.m. |
1 |
Blue whale |
|
13 |
Humpback whales |
|
200 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
1 |
Steller’s sea lion |
|
| 8/6 9 a.m. |
2 |
Blue whales |
|
3 |
Humpback whales |
|
80 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 8/5 1:30 p.m. |
2 |
Blue whales |
|
2 |
Humpback whales |
|
| 8/5 9 a.m. |
1 |
Blue whale |
|
20 |
Humpback whales |
|
60 |
Risso’s dolphin |
|
| 8/4 9 a.m. |
12 |
Humpback whales |
|
200 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 8/4 10 a.m. |
6 |
Humpback whales |
|
| 8/4 2:30 p.m. |
1 |
Blue whale |
|
4 |
Humpback whales |
|
| 8/3 2:30 p.m. |
9 |
Humpback whales |
|
200 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 8/3 1:30 p.m. |
7 |
Humpback whales |
|
200 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 8/3 10 a.m. |
14 |
Humpback whales |
|
2000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
30 |
Risso’s dolphin |
|
| 8/3 9 a.m. |
12 |
Humpback whales |
|
600 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 8/2 2:30 p.m. |
7 |
Humpback whales (breaching) |
|
1 |
Mola mola |
|
| 8/2 1:30 p.m. |
7 |
Humpback whales |
|
| 8/2 10 a.m. |
6 |
Humpback whales |
|
| 8/2 9 a.m. |
6 |
Humpback whales |
|
1 |
Minke whale |
|
2 |
Bottlenose dolphin |
|
1 |
Fork-tailed storm petrel |
|
| 8/1 10 a.m. (Sea Wolf II) |
1 |
Blue whale |
|
2 |
Humpback whales |
|
500 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
1 |
Elephant seal |
|
| 8/1 10 a.m. (Pt Sur Clipper) |
6 |
Humpback whales |
|
2000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
|
Photos © 2026 Daniel Bianchetta and Morgan Quimby
 Close up head on view of a Humpback with their mouth open! (August 2, 2026)
 Close up head on view of a Humpback with their mouth open! (August 2, 2026)
 A pair of big Brandt’s cormorant chicks begging for food from their parent (August 2, 2026)
 Fork-tailed storm petrel, a rare sight on our whale watches! (August 2, 2026)
 Large California sea lion male sitting under the wharf (August 2, 2026)
 Blue whale fluking up (August 1, 2026)
 Long-beaked common dolphin (August 1, 2026)
 Southern sea otter mom and pup (August 1, 2026)
 Juvenile male Elephant seal “star-gazing”/resting at the surface (August 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.
