Lunge-Feeding Humpbacks and Common Dolphins near the Harbor

We began our day aboard Sanctuary under calm, glassy morning conditions just outside the harbor, where we were immediately met by a massive, highly active pod of over two thousand long-beaked common dolphins. The sheer volume of dolphins, accompanied by several humpback whales feeding nearby, created a remarkable spectacle close to shore.

During our mid-day departure, joined by students from Camp Sea Lab, we observed humpbacks engaging in energetic lunge-feeding. This behavior occurs when whales engulf large volumes of prey-laden water, using their expandable throat pleats to filter out small schooling fish. A feeding frenzy of fifty California sea lions and three Risso's dolphins was also present, capitalizing on the dense bait balls beneath the surface.

By afternoon, the northwest winds picked up to over 21 knots, creating choppy seas. While the rougher conditions shortened our final run, the change in weather coincided with a dramatic shift in behavior; we observed multiple humpback whales breaching and tail-slapping repeatedly through the swell.

Observing how these animals adapt their behaviors—from systematic feeding in the morning calm to high-energy surface displays as the afternoon wind rises—is a constant reminder of the dynamic nature of Monterey Bay.