Monterey Bay Whale Watch
List of Most Recent Marine Mammal Sightings
in the Monterey Bay Region
Since October 1, 2026
compiled by Monterey Bay Whale Watch
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) |
|
| 10/12 1:30 p.m. |
8 |
Humpback whales (breaching, tail lobbing) |
|
6 |
Harbor porpoise |
|
| 10/12 10 a.m. |
4 |
Killer whales (CA39As) |
|
8 |
Humpback whales |
|
600 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
60 |
Risso’s dolphin |
|
| 10/12 9 a.m. |
4 |
Killer whales (CA39As) |
|
22 |
Humpback whales |
|
600 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
60 |
Risso’s dolphin |
|
| 10/12 8 hour All Day |
4 |
Killer whales (CA39As) |
|
31 |
Humpback whales |
|
2,500 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
75 |
Rissos’s dolphin |
|
1 |
Blue shark |
|
| 10/11 10 a.m. |
23 |
Humpback whales |
|
2000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/11 9 a.m. |
23 |
Humpback whales |
|
1,000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
1 |
Guadalupe fur seal |
|
1 |
Mola mola |
|
| 10/10 12:30 p.m. |
6 |
Humpback whales |
|
| 10/10 10 a.m. |
16 |
Humpback whales |
|
10 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/10 9 a.m. |
38 |
Humpback whales |
|
500 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/9 1:30 p.m. |
23 |
Humpback whales |
|
500 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
2 |
Craveri’s murrelet |
|
| 10/9 10 a.m. |
30 |
Humpback whales |
|
1500 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/9 9 a.m. |
27 |
Humpback whales |
|
1000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/8 1:30 p.m. |
6 |
Orca (CA51As) |
|
23 |
Humpback whales |
|
| 10/8 9 a.m. |
6 |
Orca (CA51As) |
|
12 |
Humpback whales |
|
| 10/7 1:30 p.m. |
5 |
Killer whales |
|
40 |
Humpback whales |
|
2000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/7 9 a.m. |
6 |
Killer whales |
|
35 |
Humpback whales |
|
2000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/6 1:30 p.m. |
4 |
Killer whales (CA51s) |
|
17 |
Humpback whales |
|
100 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/6 10 a.m. |
5 |
Killer whales (CA51s, CA216Cs) |
|
18 |
Humpback whales |
|
2000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/6 9 a.m. |
5 |
Killer whales (CA51s, CA216Cs) |
|
27 |
Humpback whales |
|
2000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/5 1:30 p.m. |
27 |
Humpback whales (4 whales chronically breaching, tail throwing, & pec slapping!) |
|
5 |
Risso’s dolphin |
|
150 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/5 9 a.m. |
4 |
Killer whales (CA39As) |
|
47 |
Humpback whales |
|
300 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/5 8 Hour All Day |
4 |
Killer whales (CA39As) |
|
35 |
Humpback whales |
|
1,500 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/4 1:30 p.m. |
50 |
Humpback whales |
|
1000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/4 10 a.m. |
4 |
Killer whales (CA39As) |
|
19 |
Humpback whales |
|
1,000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
6 |
Black-footed albatross |
|
| 10/4 9 a.m. |
20 |
Humpback whales |
|
500 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/3 2:30 p.m. |
4 |
Killer whales (CA39As) |
|
22 |
Humpback whales |
|
2,000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/3 10 a.m. |
4 |
Killer whales (CA39As) |
|
28 |
Humpback whale (kelping) |
|
1,000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/3 9 a.m. |
4 |
Killer whales (CA39As) |
|
1 |
Humpback whale (kelping) |
|
700 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/3 8 Hour All Day |
4 |
Killer whales (CA39As) |
|
45 |
Humpback whales |
|
1,000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/2 1:30 p.m. |
4 |
Killer whales (CA39As) |
|
50 |
Humpback whales |
|
1,000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/2 10 a.m. |
30 |
Humpback whales |
|
2,500 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/2 9 a.m. |
40 |
Humpback whales |
|
1,000 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/1 1:30 p.m. |
48 |
Humpback whales |
|
500 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
| 10/1 9 a.m. |
50 |
Humpback whales |
|
500 |
Long-beaked common dolphin |
|
|
Photos © 2026 Daniel Bianchetta and Morgan Quimby
 Long-beaked common dolphin launching high out of the water (October 3, 2026)
 Curved flukes of male killer whale CA29A2 “Monet” (October 3, 2026)
 Killer whale ramming a sea lion during a hunt (October 3, 2026)
 Member of the CA39A killer whale pod hunting a sea lion (October 3, 2026)  Long-beaked common dolphin gliding through smooth seas (October 3, 2026)
 Long-beaked common dolphin about to break the surface in flat calm seas (October 3, 2026)
 Long-beaked common dolphin checking out the boat as it comes to the surface to breathe (October 3, 2026)
Photos © 2026 Daniel Bianchetta and Morgan Quimby |
|
Copyright © 2026 Monterey Bay Whale Watch, LLC. No use of the sightings information is permitted without prior approval.
