Lunge-feeding Humpbacks and common dolphins after a big search

The forecasted small craft advisory was pushed back further into the day. The weather was beautiful and the seas calm.

We searched far and wide for whales and dolphins today. After checking a nearby feeding ground just off the coast, we sent it east after some reports of whales days prior. We've had some high winds the past two days, which can sometimes "push" the whales around. As was the case today, as we struggled to find whales early on.

Nearly 70 miles later, we came across a large area with a lot of pelicans. For miles, however, the pelicans were just sitting on the water, with no indication of feeding apparent. This will sometimes happen when a big prior feeding event has taken place, and the anchovies have all been eaten up. It was a hopeful sign that food had been in the area, but to no avail.

Nearly 10 miles later and nearly in the exact same spot we first checked in the morning, Captain Adam saw a few circling birds from a few miles away. Food. Upon getting closer, more and more birds were apparent. A full-on feeding frenzy!

Upon arriving on scene, we found ~500 common dolphins and 2 humpback whales, one close to the boat, feeding amongst all the activity, and one that breached in the distance. This juvenile whale continuously lunged on baitballs of anchovies! Showing us that the search is never over until the boat hits the dock!

Until Next Time,

The SBWW Crew