We continued to see a steady stream of Gray Whales migrating north along with a few Humpback Whales. Along with baleen whales, we have been spotting large numbers of dolphins and California Sea Lions. To date, we’ve spotted 626 Gray Whales during the current season and 165 Humpback Whales. See our updated Sightings Reports at https://sandiegowhalewatching.com/
March 27, 2019
Morning Cruise
Sightings: 3 Humpback Whales, 500+ Common Dolphins
We headed out about a mile offshore to find 2 Humpback Whales feeding with dolphins, California Sea Lions and seabirds. Passengers all had great views of the whales feeding and fluking. As we headed back in to the bay, we spotted another Humpback Whale and more dolphins. Many “Spring Break” passengers and families from all over the U.S. and China, Germany and Canada joined us onboard.
Afternoon Cruise
Sightings: 3 Humpback Whales
Shortly after leaving the bay, we started to track a Humpback Whale. We then encountered another Humpback that gave us good viewings of feeding and flukes. The second humpback whale was swimming with California Sea Lions for some time and we could track where the whale would surface next by following the sea lions. Most of the time the humpback whale surfaced either between, or very near, the sea lions. As we headed in we found a third humpback whale that gave us even more great views and flukes.
March 28, 2019
Morning Cruise
Sightings: 3 Gray Whales, 300+ Common Dolphins
A very nice day on the water. On our way out of the bay, we encountered several pods of Common Dolphins. At about 8 miles out west, we spotted 3 Gray Whales together, 2 adults and 1 juvenile, all traveling north. On our way back in, we saw several more groups of dolphins that swam with the Adventure Hornblower.
Afternoon Cruise
Sightings: 2 Gray Whales, 1 Humpback Whale, 1000+ Common Dolphins, 30+ California Sea Lions
The wind picked up in afternoon, but the ocean remained fairly flat. We first spotted 2 smaller Gray Whales snorkeling off the coast of Pt. Loma. On our way back to the dock, we spotted a Humpback Whale that was accompanied by a raft of Sea Lions and a pod of Common Dolphins hoping for lunch! The humpback fluked twice and swam under the boat. Passengers from Minnesota, Chicago, Toluca Mexico, and Chula Vista joined us on the cruise.
March 29, 2019
Morning Cruise
Sightings: 2 Gray Whales, 250+ Common Dolphins, 10 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 50 California Sea Lions
Our sightings started with 10 Pacific White-sided Dolphins and about 60 Common Dolphins, who were traveling together! We encountered several pods of dolphins with a total of about 250 dolphins sighted. As we were heading into the bay, the captain spotted 2 juvenile Gray Whales playing with several Common Dolphins for about 10 minutes, which then continued on with their northbound migration.
Afternoon Cruise
Sightings: 3 Gray Whales, 300+ Common Dolphins, 30 California Sea Lions
Another great afternoon with sightings of 3 Gray Whales along with more dolphins and sea lions.
March 30, 2019
Morning Cruise
Sightings: 6 Gray Whales, 50+ Common Dolphins
We enjoyed watching 6 northbound Gray Whales along with Common Dolphins.
Afternoon Cruise
Sightings: n/a
Afternoon Cruise cancelled due to high sea swells.
March 31, 2019
Morning Cruise
Sightings: 4 Gray Whales, 50+ Common Dolphins
Captain Chad took us out to about 12 miles and not much to see except some Common Dolphins. As we headed back in to the bay, we spotted 3 Gray Whales that were snorkeling and fluking, and then another whale just outside of the bay.
Afternoon Cruise
Sightings: 1500+ Common Dolphins, 50+ Bottlenose Dolphins
A beautiful day on the blue ocean! The stars of the afternoon were lots of dolphins, both a large herd of Common Dolphins as well as offshore Bottlenose Dolphins. A California Sea Lion was swimming among the dolphins. During the afternoon, we also spotted sea lions lounging on the navigation buoys and sea birds out on the ocean.
April 1, 2019
Morning Cruise
Sightings: 3 Gray Whales, 30+ Common Dolphins
Calm waters led us out to a beautiful day. We headed south out of the bay, then proceeded northward as Captain Rick heard there were a couple of grays about 2 miles off shore (just off the kelp bed area). We came upon a Gray Whale cow/calf pair that were headed north and discovered a juvenile escort who joined the pair as they traveled. Upon entry to the bay we saw a pod of 30 Long-beaked Common Dolphins feeding on small schools of fish.
Afternoon Cruise
Sightings: 200+ Common Dolphins, 10+ California Sea Lions
A beautiful afternoon with guests from New Zealand, England, Taiwan and many groups from Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Washington. We encountered Common Dolphins several times throughout the afternoon. They were fun to watch as they swam, jumped, and surfed near the Hornblower. A raft of sea lions fed on small fish near the kelp beds. A fun afternoon!
April 2, 2019
Morning Cruise
Sightings: 1 Gray Whale
A lovely morning on the water, Captain Earnesto found a northbound Gray Whale for us to watch.
Afternoon Cruise
Sightings: 4 Gray Whale, 500+ Common Dolphins
We spotted 4 Gray Whales, including one that breached twice, along with a large herd of Common Dolphins.
Whale Watching Report from Hornblower for March 27 – April 2
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