Whale Watching and Other Marine Mammals
On all Island Packer’s trips to the Channel Islands we cruise with an open eye for wildlife, especially everyone’s favorite, whales and dolphins.  There are also two seasons each year where we specifically go out into the waters of the Santa Barbara Channel and the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary just to look for whales.  The annual gray whale migration in the local area is best viewed from late December through March.  Shortly after the gray whale migration has passed, there is a chance to see other large whales like the endangered humpback and the blue whale.  Humpback and blue whales are attracted to the local area during periods of upwelling, an ocean condition that produces the planktonic food preferred by these whales.  Typically the ocean conditions that produce this feeding phenomenon occur between July and September.

Within the waters of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary 28 species of whales and dolphins have been identified.  Eighteen of these species are seen frequently and are thought to be residents. Throughout the year it is possible to see common dolphin, risso’s dolphin, minke whales, bottlenose dolphin, pacific white sided dolphin, dall’s porpoise and an occasional pod of orcas.

•Plus a visit to see Painted Cave on the coastline of Santa Cruz Island•

Once on the brink of extinction, the still endangered blue whale, is now seen each year in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary as they come to feed on swarms of krill in the spring and summer months.  Another endangered species, the humpback whale also travels to these waters to feed in the nutrient waters of the Sanctuary.  Blue and humpback whales migrate on a north-south axis.  Both species are known to feed seasonally (spring, summer and fall) in high latitudes.  The migration is linked to the abundance of food, and timing can vary from year to year. In the marine sanctuary, the concentration of feeding blue and humpback whales tends to be around the western end of the northern Channel Island group.  Therefore, blue and humpback whale watching trips are an all day adventure, and reaching the feeding grounds may take from 2-3 hours.  The journey often takes us past the west end of Santa Cruz Island where one of the world’s largest sea caves, “Painted Cave” is located.  Weather permitting, you have a chance to see one of the geological wonders of the Channel Islands National Park, and an in depth look at Painted Cave.  Departures are at 9:00am returning to dock around 4:00 -5:00 pm.