Latest Sightings Monterey Bay Whale Watch Marine Mammal List

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

July 2025

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.

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Killer Whale identifications by the California Killer Whale Project
Date	#	Type of Animal(s)

7/31 1:30 p.m.	20	Humpback whales

7/31 9 a.m.	21	Humpback whales
	15	Risso’s dolphin

7/30 1:30 p.m.	22	Humpback whales
	100	Risso’s dolphin (including Casper!!)

7/30 10 a.m.	25	Humpback whales
	1	Black-footed albatross

7/30 9 a.m.	26	Humpback whales
	1	Black-footed albatross

7/29 1:30 p.m.	8	Humpback whales (lunge feeding)

7/29 10 a.m.	25	Humpback whales (lunge feeding, pec slapping)
	15	Risso’s dolphin
	7	Black-footed albatross
	100+	California sea lion (breaching and flipping)

7/29 2:30 p.m.	10	Humpback whales
	15	Risso’s dolphin

7/28 2:30 p.m.	21	Humpback whales (lunge feeding)
	3	Black-footed albatross

7/28 10 a.m.	23	Humpback whales
	40	Pacific white-sided dolphin
	30	Northern right whale dolphin

7/28 9 a.m.	25	Humpback whales (lunge feeding)
	200	Risso’s dolphin

7/28 8 Hour All Day	37	Humpback whales (lunge feeding)
	1	Fin whale
	500	Risso’s dolphin
	50	Pacific white-sided dolphin
	30	Northern right whale dolphin

7/27 10 a.m.	19	Humpback whales

7/27 9 a.m.	13	Humpback whales (chronic breaching)
	100	Risso’s dolphin

7/26 5:30 p.m.	4	Humpback whales

7/26 2:30 p.m.	10	Humpback whales
	30	Risso’s dolphin

7/26 1:30 p.m.	13	Humpback whales
	150	Risso’s dolphin
	1	Salmon shark
	1	Mola mola

7/26 10 a.m.	12	Humpback whales
	20	Risso’s dolphin

7/26 9 a.m.	10	Humpback whales (tail lobbing)
	40	Risso’s dolphin
	2	Black-footed albatross

7/26 7:30 a.m. 12 Hour All Day	40	Humpback whales
	6	Fin whales
	30	Risso’s dolphin
	2	Dall’s porpoise
	3	Guadalupe fur seal
	1	Northern fur seal

7/25 5:30 p.m.	2	Humpback whales
	7	Risso’s dolphin
	4	Bottlenose dolphin

7/25 1:30 p.m.	6	Humpback whales (tail lobbing and pec slapping)

7/25 10 a.m.	15	Humpback whales
	250	Risso’s dolphin
	50	Pacific white-sided dolphin

7/25 9 a.m.	18	Humpback whales
	300	Risso’s dolphin
	50+	Bluefin tuna
	3	Black-footed albatross

7/24 2:30 p.m.	12	Humpback whales (tail lobbing)

7/24 10 a.m.	27	Humpback whales (lunge feeding, breaching)
	50	Risso’s dolphin
	1	Mola mola

7/24 9 a.m.	15	Humpback whales
	1	Salmon shark
	100+	Bluefin tuna

7/23 1:30 p.m.	2	Orcas
	2	Humpback whales

7/23 10 a.m.	2	Orcas
	8	Humpback whales
	100	Risso’s dolphin

7/23 9 a.m.	2	Orcas
	4	Humpback whales

7/22 2:30 p.m.	4	Humpback whales
	5	Risso’s dolphin

7/22 1:30 p.m.	7	Humpback whales (breaching, tail lobbing, pec slapping)
	10	Risso’s dolphin

7/22 9 a.m.	10	Humpback whales (lunge feeding)
	50	Risso’s dolphin

7/21 1:30 p.m.	8	Humpback whales
	5	Risso’s dolphin

7/21 10 a.m.	14	Humpback whales (breaching, pec slapping, tail lobbing)
	2	Blue whales
	100	Risso’s dolphin

7/21 9 a.m.	26	Humpback whales
	2	Blue whales
	75	Risso’s dolphin

7/20 5:30 p.m. Sunset	7	Humpback whales (tail throwing)
	2	Blue whales
	10	Risso’s dolphin

7/20 2:30 p.m.	5	Humpback Whales
	2	Blue whales
	50	Pacific white-sided dolphins
	20	Risso’s dolphin
	2	Salmon sharks

7/20 1:30 p.m.	4	Humpback whales
	2	Blue whales
	50	Pacific white-sided dolphin

7/20 10 a.m. with Ted Cheeseman	12	Humpback whales (breaching)
	2	Blue whales
	100	Risso’s dolphin
	10	Pacific white-sided dolphin
	1	Salmon shark
	5	Black-footed albatross

7/20 9 a.m.	4	Humpback Whales
	2	Blue whales
	3	Fin whales
	2	Bottlenose dolphin
	40	Risso’s dolphin

7/19 5:30 p.m. Sunset	22	Humpback whales
	6	Black-footed albatross

7/19 1:30 p.m.	12	Humpback whales

7/19 10 a.m.	27	Humpback whales
	15	Risso’s dolphin
	5	Harbor porpoise

7/19 9 a.m.	20	Humpback whales (breaching, tail lobbing, pec slapping, calf playing with sea lion!)
	1	Black-footed albatross

7/19 8 a.m. All Day	2	Cuvier’s beaked whales (rare sighting!)
	31	Humpback whales
	1	Fin whale
	200	Pacific white-sided dolphin
	10	Northern right whale dolphin
	10	Long-beaked common dolphin
	1	Harbor porpoise
	15	Black-footed albatross

7/18 5:30 p.m. Sunset	14	Humpback whales
	30	Pacific white-sided dolphin
	1	Salmon shark

7/18 2:30 p.m.	12	Humpback whales (breaching and pec slapping)
	7	Risso’s dolphin
	15	Pacific white-sided dolphin

7/18 10 a.m.	17	Humpback whales (breaching, lunge feeding, tail lobbing, pec slapping)
	2	Blue whales (Mom and calf pair!)
	15	Pacific white-sided dolphin

7/18 9 a.m.	25	Humpback whales
	2	Blue whale
	15	Pacific white-sided dolphin
	10	Risso’s dolphin

7/17 1:30 p.m.	24	Humpback whales (breaching, tail lobbing, pec slapping, spy hopping, kelping)

7/17 9 a.m.	14	Humpback whales (breaching, pec slapping)
	50	Risso’s dolphin

7/16 1:30 p.m.	1	Blue whale
	16	Humpback whales (breaching, tail lobbing)

7/16 10 a.m.	22	Humpback whales
	1	Blue whale
	25	Risso’s dolphin

7/16 9 a.m.	23	Humpback whales (friendly, breaching, pec slapping, tail lobbing)
	1	Blue whale
	20	Risso’s dolphin

7/15 2:30 p.m.	17	Humpback whales (breaching calf)
	15	Risso’s dolphins

7/15 9 a.m.	29	Humpback whales (2 calves breaching and tail lobbing)
	1	Blue whale
	2	Fin whales
	5	Risso’s dolphins

7/14 1:30 p.m.	10	Humpback whales (breaching, tail lobbing)
	20	Risso’s dolphins

7/14 10 a.m.	52	Humpback whales (lunge feeding, breaching)
	2	Harbor porpoise

7/14 9 a.m.	50	Humpback whales (breaching)

7/13 5:30 p.m.	11	Humpback whales
	11	Risso’s dolphin

7/13 10 a.m.	15	Humpback whales
	30	Risso’s dolphin
	1	Mako shark

7/13 9 a.m.	19	Humpback whales
	30	Risso’s dolphin
	10	Harbor porpoise

7/12 1:30 p.m.	7	Humpback whales
	12	Risso’s dolphin

7/12 9 a.m.	30	Humpback whales
	1000	Pacific white-sided dolphin
	75	Northern right whale dolphin

7/12 8 a.m. All Day	41	Humpback whales
	35	Risso’s dolphin
	300	Pacific white-sided dolphin
	1	Blue whale
	1	Northern right whale dolphin
	7	Dall’s porpoise

7/11 2:30 p.m.	10	Humpback whales
	15	Risso’s dolphin

7/11 10 a.m.	10	Humpback whales

7/11 9 a.m.	15	Humpback whales (breaching)

7/10 1:30 p.m.	6	Humpback whales

7/10 10 a.m.	14	Humpback whales
	20	Risso’s dolphin

7/10 9 a.m.	8	Humpback whales
	3	Harbor porpoise

7/9 2:30 p.m.	17	Humpback whales (lunge feeding, breaching, pec slapping, tail lobbing)

7/9 9 a.m.	1	Blue whale
	39	Humpback whales
	20	Risso’s dolphins

7/8 2:30 p.m.	15	Humpback whales
	7	Risso’s dolphin (including Casper!)

7/8 9 a.m.	32	Humpback whales
	120	Risso’s dolphin
	20	Pacific white-sided dolphin
	4	Long-beaked common dolphin
	1	Harbor porpoise
	1	Mola mola (ocean sunfish)

7/7 5:30 p.m.	10	Humpback whales (lunge feeding)

7/7 2:30 p.m.	15	Humpback whales (lunge feeding)
	12	Risso’s dolphin

7/7 9 a.m.	25	Humpback whales (lunge feeding)
	5	Risso’s dolphin

7/6 2:30 p.m.	20	Humpback whales

7/6 10 a.m.	42	Humpback whales
	20	Risso’s dolphin (including Casper!!)
	2	Harbor porpoise

7/6 9 a.m.	24	Humpback whales
	5	Risso’s dolphins

7/5 1:30 p.m.	23	Humpback whales (lunge feeding)

7/5 11 a.m.	35	Humpback Whales (lunge feeding and pec slapping)

7/5 10 a.m.	24	Humpback whales
	200	Risso’s dolphins
	150	Pacific white-sided dolphins
	3	Black-footed albatross

7/5 9 a.m.	2	Humpback whales
	200	Risso’s dolphins
	150	Pacific white-sided dolphins
	3	Black-footed albatross

7/4 1:30 p.m.	19	Humpback Whales

7/4 11 a.m.	50	Humpback Whales (lunge feeding and pec slapping)
	40	Risso’s Dolphins

7/4 10 a.m.	27	Humpback Whales
	200	Risso’s Dolphins

7/4 9 a.m.	6	Humpback Whales (including friendly encounter with Fallon)

7/3 1:30 p.m.	8	Humpback Whales

7/3 10 a.m.	65	Humpback Whales
	200	Risso’s Dolphins (nursery pod)
	75	Risso’s Dolphins (including Casper)
	100	Northern Right Whale Dolphins

7/3 9 a.m.	50	Humpback Whales
	1	Fin Whale
	500	Pacific White-sided Dolphins
	200	Risso’s Dolphins
	500	Northern Right Whale Dolphins

7/2 2:30 p.m.	4	Humpback Whales (1 chronic breacher for over 2 hours with at least 150 breaches)

7/2 10 a.m.	17	Humpback Whales
	1	Fin Whale
	1	Northern Fur Seal

7/2 9 a.m.	14	Humpback Whales
	1	Fin Whale

7/1 1:30 p.m.	12	Humpback Whales
	30	Risso’s Dolphins

7/1 10 a.m.	7	Humpback Whales
	2	Blue Whales

7/1 9 a.m.	23	Humpback Whales
	1	Blue Whale
	17	Risso’s Dolphins

Two whales breaching the ocean surface under a cloudy sky.

Humpback whale double breach (July 31, 2025)

Dolphin leaping out of the ocean with water splashing around.

Risso’s dolphin breaching (July 31, 2025)

A humpback whale breaching the water under a cloudy sky.

Humpback whale breaching (July 31, 2025)

Two whale tails above ocean water under a cloudy sky

Mother and calf Humpback whales (July 30, 2025)

Two dolphins swimming in the ocean, one is white and the other is gray, with distant hills in the background.

Casper the Risso’s dolphin surfacing with pod-mates (July 30, 2025)

Albino dolphin diving into ocean with water splash.

Casper the Risso’s dolphin fluking up for a dive (July 30, 2025)

Whale tail emerging from ocean with bokeh effect and blue sky.

Humpback whale “Ziggurat” tail lobbing in the distance framed by the boat spray lit up by the afternoon sun (July 28, 2025)

Three humpback whales breaching with mouths open beneath a flying seagull.

Trio of lunge feeding Humpback whales in the afternoon glare (July 28, 2025)

Whale breaching near a tour boat with people and seagulls flying around in open water.

Humpback whale lunge feeding by our vessel the Sea Wolf II (July 28, 2025)

Humpback whales breaching water with seagulls flying overhead.

Humpback whales lunge feeding (July 28, 2025)

Two humpback whales surfacing in the ocean with birds flying overhead.

Humpback whales lunge feeding (July 28, 2025)

Gray dolphin leaping out of the ocean water with clear blue sky.

Risso’s dolphin breaching (July 28, 2025)

A dolphin jumping out of the ocean against a clear blue sky.

Risso’s dolphin breaching (July 28, 2025)

Two whales breaching the water, surrounded by splashing fish and a seagull flying above.

Pair of Humpback whales lunge feeding with anchovies flying everywhere attempting to escape (July 28, 2025)

Three humpback whales breaching in the ocean, mouths open and water splashing.

Trio of Humpback whales lunge feeding (July 28, 2025)

Humpback whale breaching with seagulls flying above in the ocean.

Lone lunge feeding Humpback whale (July 28, 2025)

Three dolphins jumping together out of the water in the ocean.

Four Risso’s dolphin breaching alongside one another (July 27, 2025)

Close-up of a whale swimming in the ocean, with its head and fin above water.

Risso’s dolphin pec slapping (July 27, 2025)

Two whale flippers breaching the ocean surface, sky and distant sailboat in background.

Humpback whale double pec slapping (July 27, 2025)

Orca breaching water surface, partially visible, with ocean and cloudy sky background.

Risso’s dolphin chin slapping (July 27, 2025)

Dolphin leaping from the ocean with a bird flying above in a cloudy sky.

Risso’s dolphin breaching backwards (July 27, 2025)

Dall's porpoise surfacing and creating a splash in the ocean

Dall’s porpoise surfacing fast (July 26, 2025)

Whale tail splashing in the ocean against a backdrop of distant mountains.

Humpback whale tail slapping on a beautiful day (July 26, 2025)

Whale tail above ocean with mountain background under clear sky.

Humpback whale tail slapping with beautiful Big Sur in the background on a clear day (July 26, 2025)

Seal swimming with kelp around its body in calm ocean water.

Guadalupe fur seal kelping (July 26, 2025)

Two whale backs visible above ocean waves under a cloudy sky.

Pair of Fin whales surfacing together (July 26, 2025)

Whale tail above water with sailboat in the distant ocean.

Humpback whale fluking up with sailboat in the background (July 25, 2025)

A whale breaches the ocean surface, captured mid-air against the sea background.

Risso’s dolphin breaching (July 25, 2025)

A whale breaches the ocean surface, creating a large splash under a cloudy sky.

Humpback whale lunge feeding (July 24, 2025)

Two orcas swimming near the surface of the ocean with mountains in the background.

Orcas surfacing (July 23, 2025)

Whale tail splashing in ocean, under cloudy sky.

Orca tail slapping (July 23, 2025)

Blue whale surfacing in calm ocean waters.

Blue whale rostrum as it surfaces (July 21, 2025)

Whale tail splashing in ocean with mountainous backdrop and cloudy sky.

Humpback whale tail slapping (July 21, 2025)

Humpback whale breaching the ocean surface, creating a large splash against a blue sky backdrop.

Humpback whale breaching (July 21, 2025)

A whale's back emerges from the ocean with birds flying above in clear blue water.

Blue whale arching to dive (July 21, 2025)

Humpback whale breaching near coastal houses with a bird flying close by.

Humpback whale breaching close to shore (July 21, 2025)

A blue whale surfacing in a calm ocean under a cloudy sky.

Blue whale surfacing (July 20, 2025)

Whale fin emerging from ocean with birds flying close by.

Fin whale fluke (July 20, 2025)

Humpback whale breaching the ocean surface, with water splashing around.

Humpback whale breaching (July 20, 2025)

Blue whale surfacing in misty ocean with birds flying overhead.

Blue whale surfacing (July 20, 2025)

Close-up of a breaching whale with barnacles in the ocean.

Humpback whale calf chin slapping (July 20, 2025)

Humpback whale surfacing with water splashing over its back in Monterey Bay.

Humpback whale surfacing and displacing the water (July 20, 2025)

Whale's back and dorsal fin breaking the surface of the ocean on a cloudy day.

Fin whale surfacing (July 19, 2025)

A humpback whale breaching the ocean surface with water splashing.

Humback whale “Aurora” mother of “Borealis” with a huge breach (July 19, 2025)

Humpback whale partially submerged, vertical fin visible in ocean water.

Humpback whale calf “Borealis” playing with a sea lion (July 19, 2025)

Humpback whale breaching water, surrounded by birds in an ocean setting.

Humpback whale calf “Borealis” breaching amongst Sooty shearwaters (July 19, 2025)

Blue whale surfacing in calm ocean under overcast sky.

Mom and calf Blue whale surfacing alongside each other (July 18, 2025)

Gray whale's head covered in barnacles and kelp emerging from the ocean.

Humpback whale kelping (July 17, 2025)

Whale tail above ocean surface in Monterey Bay

Blue whale fluking up to dive (July 16, 2025)

Close-up of a whale's eye partially submerged in water.

Open eye of a friendly Humpback whale (July 16, 2025)

A blue whale surfacing in the ocean under an overcast sky.

Blue whale fluking up to dive (July 15, 2025)

Two whales breaching in the ocean against a cloudy sky.

Double breaching mom and calf Humpback whales (July 14, 2025)

Brown albatross in flight over ocean waves with wings spread wide.

Black-footed albatross deploying landing gear to sit on the water next to the boat (July 14th, 2025)

A humpback whale breaching with fins raised in misty gray ocean.

Breaching Humpback whale (July 13, 2025)

Sea otter floating on its back in water, holding a crab against its chest.

Female Southern sea otter eating a crab in the harbor (July 13, 2025)

Blue whale surfacing in the ocean with cloudy sky background.

Blue whale surfacing (July 12, 2025)

A dolphin swimming in the ocean with splashes of water around its body.

Pacific white-sided dolphin surfacing while bow riding (July 12, 2025)

Humpback whale tail fluke splashing water in ocean with barnacles.

Humpback whale “Ghost Pepper” tail lobbing (July 12, 2025)

Dolphin leaping out of the water, creating splashes in the ocean.

Northern right whale dolphin porpoising (July 12, 2025)

Pelican with fish in beak flying over ocean next to a seagull.

Brown pelican taking off with an anchovy followed closely by a Heerman’s gull looking to steal his catch (July 12, 2025)

A humpback whale breaching the ocean surface with water splashing, against a foggy backdrop.

Humpback whale breaching (July 11, 2025)

White whale breaking the surface of calm ocean waters, dorsal fin visible, with text on image.

Casper the white Risso’s dolphin (July 8, 2025)

Humpback whale lunge feeding (July 7, 2025)

Orange jellyfish with long tentacles in dark blue water.

Egg yolk jelly floating by (July 7, 2025)

Humpback whale breaching water surface, head first in ocean.

Humpback whale lunge feeding (July 7, 2025)

Sea otter holding a crab in its paws while floating in water.

Southern sea otter eating a large crab in the harbor (July 7, 2025)

Two humpback whale heads breaching water near shore with visible barnacles.

Pair of Humpback whales lunge feeding (July 6, 2025)

A whale surfacing in the ocean, partially covered in water and creating a splash.

Beautiful patterns of a Humpback whale’s expanded ventral pleats as it lunge feeds just below the surface (July 5, 2025)

A humpback whale breaching the ocean surface on a clear day.

Humpback whale chin slapping (July 5, 2025)

Humpback Whale ‘Fallon’ spy-hopping by the boat (July 4, 2025)

Humpback whales (July 3, 2025)

Fin whale (July 3, 2025)

Humpback whale kelping (playing with kelp – July 3, 2025)

Pacific white-sided dolphin (July 3, 2025)

Humpback whale tail lobbing (July 2, 2025)

Breaching Humpback whale (July 2, 2025)

a bird swimming in water next to the ocean

Risso’s dolphin with calf (Note fetal folds – July 1, 2025)

Blue whale (July 1, 2025)

JULY 2025 MONTEREY BAY WHALE WATCH MARINE MAMMAL SIGHTINGS LIST

MARINE MAMMAL SIGHTINGS IN THE MONTEREY BAY