LATEST SIGHTINGS

 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

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.

Visit our Facebook page for more photos and descriptions    Killer Whale identifications by the California Killer Whale Project Date # Type of Animal(s) 7/20 2:30 p.m. 6 Orca (CA140Bs + CA50B Jimmy) 16 Humpback whales 7/20 10 a.m. 32 Humpback whales 7/20 9 a.m. 6 Orca (CA140Bs + CA50B Jimmy) 40+ Humpback whales (lunge feed) 8 Risso’s dolphin 7/19 2:30 p.m. 6 Orca (CA140Bs + CA50B Jimmy) 7/19 1:30 p.m. 6 Orca (CA140Bs + CA50B Jimmy) 2 Humpback whales 7/19 10 a.m. 5 Orca (CA140Bs hunting common dolphin) 1 Humpback whale 500 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/19 9 a.m. 5 Orca (CA140Bs hunting common dolphin) 9 Humpback whales 200 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/18 8 Hour All Day 30 Humpback whales 1000 Long-beaked common dolphin 1 Elephant seal 30 Black-footed albatross 7/18 2:30 p.m. 13 Humpback whales 500 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/18 1:30 p.m. 8 Humpback whales 300 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/18 10 a.m. 16 Humpback whales 2000 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/18 9 a.m. 14 Humpback whales 2000 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/17 10 a.m. 15 Humpback whales 2000 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/17 9 a.m. 18 Humpback whales 2000 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/16 10 a.m. 10 Humpback whales 1500 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/16 9 a.m. 6 Humpback whales 500 Long-beaked common dolphin 8 Risso’s dolphin 7/15 10 a.m. 14 Humpback whales 1000 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/15 9 a.m. 6 Humpback whales 300 Long-beaked common dolphin 2 Mola mola 7/14 1:30 p.m. 6 Humpback whale (Duchess of Anchovy chronic breaching) 2000 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/14 10 a.m. 12 Humpback whales 2000 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/14 9 a.m. 6 Humpback whales 2000 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/13 1:30 p.m. 1 Humpback whale (Duchess of Anchovy chronic breaching and pec slapping!) 2000 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/13 9 a.m. 1 Blue whale 5 Humpback whales 2000 Long-beaked common dolphin 30 Risso’s dolphin 2 Northern fur seals 1 Mola mola 7/13 8 Hour All Day 28 Humpback whales 2000 Long-beaked common dolphin 60 Risso’s dolphin 7/12 1:30 p.m. 5 Humpback whales 2000 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/12 10 a.m. 9 Humpback whales 3000 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/12 9 a.m. 15 Humpback whale (breach, friendly, lunge feed) 1000 Long-beaked common dolphin 30 Risso’s dolphin 7/11 5:30 p.m. 8 Humpback whales 300 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/11 1:30 p.m. 5 Humpback whales 1000 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/11 10 a.m. 6 Humpback whales 500 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/11 9 a.m. 2 Humpback whales 1500 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/11 8 Hour All Day 31 Humpback whales 350 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/10 9 a.m. 5 Humpback whales 2000 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/10 9 a.m. 8 Humpback whales 1200 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/9 10 a.m. 5 Humpback whales 350 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/9 9 a.m. 6 Humpback whales 7/8 10 a.m. 6 Humpback whales 7/8 9 a.m. 6 Humpback whales 2 Mola mola 7/7 10 a.m. 5 Humpback whales (Ratchet!) 1000+ Long-beaked common dolphin 7/7 9 a.m. 5 Humpback whales 300 Risso’s dolphin 7/6 10 a.m. 18 Humpback whales 2000 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/6 9 a.m. 30 Humpback whales 300 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/5 5:30 p.m. 3 Humpback whales (active calf) 7/5 2:30 p.m. 6 Humpback whales 500 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/5 1:30 p.m. 4 Humpback whales (Angel Wing & calf chronic breaching, pec slapping, and chin slapping together!) 600 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/5 11 a.m. 28 Humpback whales (lunge feeding, breaching) 7/5 10 a.m. 19 Humpback whales 850 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/5 9 a.m. 26 Humpback whales 1,100 Long-beaked common dolphin 7/4 5:30 p.m. 11 Humpback whales 1 Harbor porpoise 7/4 2:30 p.m. 11 Humpback whales 7/4 1:30 p.m. 13 Humpback whales (tail lobbing, pec slapping) 7/4 11 a.m. 16 Humpback whales (lunge feeding) 7/4 10 a.m. 8-10 Orca (CA49B “Richie”, CA122Bs, CA122Ds, CA212Bs) 15 Humpback whale 6 Dall’s porpoise 7/4 9 a.m. 8-10 Orca (CA49B “Richie”, CA122Bs, CA122Ds, CA212Bs) 30 Humpback whale 200 Long-beaked common dolphin 40 Risso’s dolphin 7/3 5:30 p.m. 10 Humpback whales 7/3 3:30 p.m. 7 Humpback whales 7/3 2:30 p.m. 6 Humpback whales 7/3 1:30 p.m. 8 Humpback whales 7/3 11 a.m. 10 Orca (CA51As, CA50B, CA220s) 1 Humpback whale 7/3 10 a.m. 10 Orca (CA51As, CA50B, CA220s) 1 Humpback whale 4 Harbor porpoise 1 Flying fish! 7/3 9 a.m. 10 Orca (CA51As, CA50B, CA220s) 7/2 2:30 p.m. 8 Humpback whales 4 Dall’s porpoise 7/2 1:30 p.m. 8 Humpback whales 10 Risso’s dolphin 7/2 10 a.m. 37 Humpback whales 7/2 9 a.m. 50 Humpback whales 20 Dall’s porpoise 1 Salmon shark 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   Big male killer whale breaching (July 3, 2026)   Killer whale calf breaching fully out of the water! (July 3, 2026)   Killer whale calf spy hopping with their mouth open giving a great view of their teeth (July 3, 2026)   Male killer whale fluke slapping (July 3, 2026)   Mother Humpback whale chin slapping (July 3, 2026)   Humpback whale calf tail lobbing (July 3, 2026)   Mother Humpback whale breaching (July 3, 2026)   Humpback whale breaching (July 1, 2026)   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.