| Date | Season | Whale Sightings | Dolphin Sightings | Other Species |
| 9/20/2025 | Summer | ~12 Orcas |
My oh my — today turned into one of those unforgettable days on the water! Early in the morning, we heard from our sport fishing friends that there were killer whales spotted west of La Jolla, about 16 miles off Point Loma. We didn’t hesitate — The Peregrine went the distance, and it paid off.
Morning Trip: Eastern Tropical Pacific Orcas We caught up with a pod of Eastern Tropical Pacific killer whales — about 12 individuals in total. Toward the end of the sighting, they split into one main group and two subgroups, with tons of calves in the mix. Among them was a very large, well-known male named Macho, instantly recognizable by his towering dorsal fin. Guests were treated to spectacular views as the orcas surfaced, traveled, and spent time together.
Afternoon Trip: Celebration of the Hunt By the afternoon, the same pod had moved far south near the Mexican border — and their behavior shifted dramatically. The orcas were celebrating a hunt, actively chasing and hunting Long-Beaked Common Dolphins. We witnessed an incredible dolphin stampede, as the dolphins used their speed — their biggest survival tactic — to try and escape. The pod was clearly more energized, surfacing with powerful lunges and dramatic movements. At one point, an orca with a captured dolphin swam right beneath our boat, mugging us at the port bow and putting on an unforgettable display. A Day to Remember From the calmer family groupings in the morning to the high-energy celebration of a hunt in the afternoon, today offered a rare window into the different sides of killer whale life. It was a beautiful, unforgettable day on the Pacific — and one that will be remembered by everyone aboard.
Naturalist,
Melissa