DECEMBER 2023 MONTEREY BAY WHALE WATCH MARINE MAMMAL SIGHTINGS LIST

Monterey Bay Whale Watch
List of Marine Mammal Sightings
in the Monterey Bay Region
December 2023

Note — This list 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 all whale watching trips, are not included in the 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) 12/31 1:30 p.m. 6 Gray Whales 12/31 10 a.m. 2 Humpback Whales 2 Gray Whales 12/31 9 a.m. 2 Humpback Whales 3 Gray Whales 12/30 9 a.m. 6 Humpback Whales 9 Killer Whales (Orcas – CA140Bs and CA122Cs) 1500 Pacific White-sided Dolphins 200 Northern Right Whale Dolphins 12/25 9 a.m. 2 Humpback Whales 1 Gray Whale 12/24 9 a.m. 2 Gray Whales 600 Risso’s Dolphins (including Casper) 12/23 1:30 p.m. 2 Humpback Whales (breaching) 12/23 10 a.m. 5 Humpback Whales 12/23 9 a.m. 2 Humpback Whales 2 Gray Whales 12/21 9 a.m. 3 Humpback Whales 400 Risso’s Dolphins 12/17 9 a.m. 3 Humpback Whales 12/16 1:30 p.m. 4 Humpback Whales 50 Pacific White-sided Dolphins 350 Risso’s Dolphins (including Casper) 12/16 9 a.m. 2 Humpback Whales 50 Pacific White-sided Dolphins 650 Risso’s Dolphins (including Casper) 12/15 9 a.m. 3 Humpback Whales (“Chin-up” + calf + escort) 12/14 9 a.m. 6 Humpback Whales 80 Risso’s Dolphins 4 Black-footed albatross 12/13 9 a.m. 5 Humpback Whales 10 Pacific White-sided Dolphins 115 Risso’s Dolphins 3 Mola Mola (Ocean Sunfish) 5 Black-footed albatross 12/12 9 a.m. 8 Killer Whales (Orcas – friendly and active) 50 Risso’s Dolphins 12/11 9 a.m. 10 Humpback Whales 5 Black-footed albatross 12/10 9 a.m. 11 Humpback Whales 20 Risso’s Dolphins 12/9 1:30 p.m. 10 Humpback Whales 12/9 9 a.m. 17 Killer Whales (Orcas – Minke Whale predation) 12/8 1:30 p.m. 4 Humpback Whales 12/8 10 a.m. 6 Humpback Whales Charter 60 Risso’s Dolphins 12/7 9 a.m. 6 Humpback Whales 80 Risso’s Dolphins 4 Black-footed albatross 1 Belted Kingfisher 1 Ancient Murrelet 12/6 9 a.m. 10 Humpback Whales (breaching) 30 Risso’s Dolphins 3 Black-footed albatross 12/4 9 a.m. 11 Humpback Whales 200 Pacific White-sided Dolphins 1000 Risso’s Dolphins 10 Northern Right Whale Dolphins 12/3 9 a.m. 9 Humpback Whales (breaching, lunge-feeding) 12/2 9 a.m. 9 Humpback Whales 4 Killer Whales (Orcas – CA39As) 12/1 9 a.m. 9 Humpback Whales 60 Risso’s Dolphins Photos © 2023 Daniel Bianchetta Gray Whale flukes (December 31, 2023)   Killer Whales including calf (Orcas) (December 30, 2023)   Southern Sea Otters (December 23, 2023)   Eared Grebes (December 21, 2023)   Breaching Humpback Whale (December 16, 2023)   Breaching Risso’s Dolphin (December 16, 2023)   White Risso’s Dolphin Casper (December 16, 2023)   Humpback Whale tail throwing (December 13, 2023)   Killer Whale (Orca) kelping (playing with kelp) (December 7, 2023)   Lunge-feeding Humpback Whales (December 3, 2023)   Black-footed Albatross (December 2, 2023)   Killer Whales (Orcas – December 2, 2023) Photos © 2023 Daniel Bianchetta