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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 January 1, 2026 
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)
1/06 1:30 p.m. 4 Orca (CA39As)

1/06 9 a.m. 6 Gray whales
150 Risso’s dolphin

1/04 10 a.m. 4 Humpback whales (breach)

1/03 10 a.m. 3 Humpback whales
3 Mola mola

1/03 9 a.m. 5 Humpback whales
Photos © 2026 Daniel Bianchetta

 

Orcas swimming in the ocean with distant hills and coastal trees in the background.

Male orca CA39A2 surfacing with the beautiful coast in the background (January 6, 2026)

 

Whale fin and spout visible in ocean with seagull flying, shoreline houses, and trees in background.

Male orca CA39A2 surfacing with Point Pinos lighthouse in the background (January 6, 2026)

 

Orcas swimming near a coastal town with birds flying overhead.

CA39As orca pod traveling along the coast of Pacific Grove (January 6, 2026)

 

Whale blowing water in ocean under cloudy sky.

Member of the CA39As orca pod surfacing (January 6, 2026)

 

Orca dorsal fin in ocean, with distant shoreline and bird flying overhead.

CA39As orca pod traveling along the coast of Asilomar beach (January 6, 2026)

 

Humpback whale tail above ocean surface with barnacles visible.

Beautiful speckled flukes of a diving Humpback whale (January 3, 2026)

 

A whale surfacing with five birds flying above the ocean on a clear day.

Humpback whale fluking up while Brandt’s cormorants fly over (January 3, 2026)

 

Seaside view with a rainbow and bird over buildings in Monterey Bay.

Pelican flying by a beautiful rainbow over Cannery Row (January 3, 2026)

Photos © 2026 Daniel Bianchetta

Copyright © 2026 Monterey Bay Whale Watch, LLC. No use of the sightings information is permitted without prior approval.