MONTEREY BAY WHALE WATCH TOUR AUG 20, 2021
This totally topped off our summer travels!!
We saw several bottlenose dolphins while we were still in the bay near the wall of sea lions. Evidently, they haven’t been in the area for a few months.
As we headed out into the ocean we found so many humpbacks coming to feed! With the rocking boat it was hard to hold the camera steady, and when I’d see additional whale spouts I’d move to that area. There were soon about at a dozen whales in the area! It was amazing.
Videos –It isn’t the same as in person, but is better than still photos
It was so cool to see so much wildlife participating in lunge feeding!
The humpback whales would round up the fish into a bait ball to lunge feed. When the fish were close to the surface you see a frenzy of birds and sea lions. The whales get theirs, then the birds and sea lions take the leftovers till the whales do an additional lunge feed. It was fascinating.
Whale Tales- We saw several, but the following one was the best angle.
I was trying to be content with the number of humpbacks that we were seeing and watching them “lunge feed” since I’ve never seen this before, but I couldn’t help hoping for a breach before our time with the whales was over. Eric Ogren understands this thrill better than any of my other friends, and knows from experience how overcome with pure childlike joy whenever witnessing a whale breach. It is – Absolutely – breathtaking! You never know when it will happen.
To see the breaching – IN ACTION! Watch the videos below!
BLUE WHALE!!! We left the all the humpbacks to venture out further in search of a possible blue whale. Captain Scott found it! We actually got a decent glimpse of it. Enough to say we saw one! A Blue whale is the largest living animal on our planet. It weighs between 100-150 TONS! Its tongue weighs as much as an elephant!
I was shocked at how many patrons onboard got seasick today. When I went to the back of the boat on the return to the harbor, there was an entire family seated there – each with their own seasickness bag! There were more on the sides and inside the cabin. I think I’ll go back to the front! Can’t say they weren’t warned. Taking dramamine was suggested on the website, and in the office at check in. The crew asked for a show of hands how many had taken dramamine. A few raised their hand. The crew said they preferred to see a lot more hands, and strongly suggested still taking some prior to departing. They offered a packet for $1 or $2. They also warned that it would take an hour to be effective, so don’t wait to see if you’re going to need it. That will be too late. Barry went ahead and got one to be safe. The crew knew not enough people took precautions, so they were not surprised with the number of barf bags that were needed after we were out and rocking a lot on the ocean. I thought it was pretty cool that they came around as we first headed out and offered everyone a complimentary, individually wrapped, Gin-Gin Ginger candy to suck on to help keep tummies settled. (I did take one of those. 🙂 )
I stayed outside on the front of the boat for almost the entire trip. It was cold and windy, but I had a ball! Today was epic!!
We are so glad the square dance (caller and wife), who were parked next to us at the Elks, recommended this whale watching tour. It was only $65 each and lasted 4 hours! That made it a no brainer! Whale watching up in WA is about $100 for 2.5-3 hours. This was by far the best whale watching excursion I’ve ever been on.
Thats so awesome! We go whalewatching several times a year. It is always a thrill!
Thanks. I treasure all the outings I had with Eric O when we were all in Oak Harbor, and when we visited them up in Wrangell, AK.
Amazing pictures!
Thank you, Elona!