| Date | Season | Whale Sightings | Dolphin Sightings | Other Species |
| 10/15/2025 | Fall | 3 Humpback Whales ~500 long-beaked common dolphins | ~10 Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) Orcas | ~3 California sea lions |
Today’s 10 a.m. mid-morning trip started with hopeful hearts and calm seas. After yesterday’s rare orca encounter, we couldn’t help but wonder if our Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) orca friends—our “sea pandas”—were still nearby. We set our expectations low, knowing how quickly the ocean can change, but deep down, we were all quietly wishing for another glimpse.
Perfect Fall Conditions
The day couldn’t have been more beautiful. The ocean was glassy and warm, the sun bright and golden, and the air carried that soft, fall-like feeling unique to San Diego this time of year. Visibility was excellent, and the sea felt alive with anticipation.
Humpbacks on the Horizon
About 9 to 10 miles southwest of Point Loma, near the Mexico line, Captain Quinn spotted several humpback spouts in the distance through the binoculars—two traveling close together and one farther off. The area was teeming with bird activity, a good sign of life below the surface. We made our way closer, grateful to see these giants peacefully surfacing amid the calm blue water.
Dolphin Stampede — and the Reason Why
As we scanned the horizon, we suddenly saw two enormous pods of long-beaked common dolphins, hundreds strong, stampeding at full speed. The entire ocean surface churned with whitewater and splashes as the dolphins raced out of the area. It didn’t take long to understand why—ETP orcas were back.
Moments later, five or six orcas surfaced together, moving fast toward the same area as the humpbacks. The dolphins were fleeing for their lives, and soon, the ocean erupted into organized chaos—predator and prey sharing the same stretch of sea.
The Hunt
We quickly confirmed it was the same ETP orca pod we’d seen the day before—about ten individuals total. They were actively hunting, displaying both power and strategy as they pursued the fleeing dolphins.
In a dramatic and rare display of nature’s reality, the orcas successfully captured two baby dolphins, thrashing and feeding in a highly coordinated group effort. It’s never easy to witness, but it’s part of the balance of life in the ocean—and a powerful reminder of how intelligent and efficient these predators are.
Up-Close Encounters
After the hunt, the energy shifted. The orcas began approaching The Peregrine curiously, surfacing just inches from the starboard hull and gliding directly beneath the bow. Guests were speechless as these incredible animals turned to look right at us—eye to eye—with the glassy water so clear we could see every detail of their bodies below the surface.
We spent over an hour with the main group before spotting the second subgroup farther north, following another wave of stampeding dolphins. We caught up with them as well—six individuals, including several calves—and observed their social interactions as they traveled together.
Brave Sea Lions and a Wild Finale
Adding to the spectacle, a few California sea lions were seen hanging around the orcas, attempting to snag scraps from the dolphins’ remains—a bold and risky move given the company they were keeping! It was an astonishing display of survival and opportunism in the open ocean.
A Day to Remember
In total, we spent time with both subgroups—about ten orcas in all—along with multiple humpbacks, hundreds of dolphins, and a few fearless sea lions. The entire encounter was an extraordinary window into the power, intelligence, and complexity of life offshore.
Naturalist,
Melissa