| Date | Season | Whale Sightings | Dolphin Sightings | Other Species |
| 10/15/2025 | Fall | 4 Humpback Whales | ~10 Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) Orcas |
After a few days of bumpy seas, today brought a much-needed return to calm, clear conditions on the Pacific. The recent rain had swept the haze from the air, leaving crystal-blue water and incredible visibility—a perfect day to be back out on the water aboard The Peregrine.
A Humpback Family Trio
Just a couple of miles off Point Loma, we spotted our first spouts of the day: a trio of humpback whales traveling together—a mother, her calf, and an escort. The mother was enormous, a true grande humpback, while her calf stayed safely nestled between her and the escort. We enjoyed beautiful, close looks as the three surfaced and glided slowly through the calm blue water. Watching the calf mimic every movement of the adults—matching their breaths and dives—was an unforgettable sight and a heartwarming start to the day.
A Solo Humpback
Continuing west-southwest, we encountered a lone adult humpback whale traveling calmly through the area. It surfaced twice nearby, offering a smooth, steady look at its dorsal ridge before disappearing quietly beneath the surface—an elegant and peaceful moment in contrast to the excitement that would soon follow.
An Unexpected Encounter — ETP Orcas!
Then came the highlight of the day. Captain Quinn spotted something unusual on the horizon—a pod of Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) orcas! These sleek, high-speed hunters are rarely seen in San Diego waters, making this an incredibly special and unexpected sighting. As we approached, we discovered the pod included multiple females accompanied by several calves, moving together in tight formation. The calm, clear seas offered breathtaking visibility, allowing us to see their entire bodies gliding just below the surface. For an extended period, we observed them socializing and surfacing in rhythm, showcasing both their power and their remarkable family bonds. Seeing so many calves among the pod made the encounter especially moving—an intimate look at the next generation of these magnificent apex predators. A Perfect Return to Sea From the nurturing humpback family to the rare and thrilling sight of ETP orcas with their young, today’s calm-sea adventure perfectly captured the wild, unpredictable beauty of the Pacific.
Naturalist,
Melissa