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LATEST SIGHTINGS

MARINE MAMMAL SIGHTINGS IN THE MONTEREY BAY

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

Since November 1, 2025 
compiled by Monterey Bay Whale Watch
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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.

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   Killer Whale identifications by the California Killer Whale Project
Date # Type of Animal(s)
11/4 9 a.m. 18 Humpback whales (Checkmarks & Chex Mix!)
40 Risso’s dolphin
11/3 9 a.m. 20 Humpback whales (friendly)
6 Mola mola
5 Black-footed albatross
11/2 9 a.m. 27 Humpback whales (competitive group!)
30 Risso’s dolphin
11/1 2:30 p.m. 9 Humpback whales
11/1 10 a.m. 18 Humpback whales
200 Risso’s dolphin
25 Pacific white-sided dolphin
2 Northern right whale dolphin
11/1 9 a.m. 17 Humpback whales
11/1 8 hour All Day 38 Humpback whales
200 Risso’s dolphin
25 Pacific white-sided dolphin
Photos © 2025 Daniel Bianchetta and Morgan Quimby

 

Humpback whale head emerging from water, covered with barnacles.

Humpback whale calf spy-hopping (November 3, 2025)

 

Ocean sunfish swimming in dark blue water, fin visible above surface.

Young Mola mola swimming at the surface (November 3, 2025)

 

Two sea lions nuzzle each other in the water, with rippling waves around them.

California sea lions touching noses in the harbor (November 3, 2025)

 

Brown bird with long wings flies over the ocean under a cloudy sky.

Beautiful Black-footed albatross flying by over the swells (November 3, 2025)

 

Humpback whale breaching the ocean surface under a clear sky.

Chex Mix the Humpback calf breaching in the afternoon light (November 2, 2025)

 

Humpback whale's head emerging from ocean water with barnacles visible.

Humpback whale spy hopping during a competitive group encounter as four males chased a female around our boat (November 2, 2025)

 

Humpback whale tail splashing water in the ocean.

Male Humpback whale “William” fluking up dramatically as he pursues a female Humpback whale (November 1, 2025)

 

Two sea lions emerging from the water with splashes around them.

Sea lions porpoising out of the water together to catch up with feeding Humpback whales (November 1, 2025)

 

Whale tail rising from ocean with water cascading off edges.

Moody morning Humpback whale fluke up on a foggy day           (November 1, 2025)

 

Sea lion leaping out of water with ocean backdrop.

Leaping California sea lion (November 1, 2025)

 

Humpback whale breaching water with two birds flying above on a clear day.

Humpback whale lunge feeding (November 1, 2025)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos © 2025 Daniel Bianchetta and Morgan Quimby

Copyright © 2025 Monterey Bay Whale Watch, LLC. No use of the sightings information is permitted without prior approval.