San Diego Whale Sightings — Updated Daily!

See what our naturalists have spotted during our last 7 trips in Mission Bay and off the coast of San Diego.

7

Whales Spotted

2,838

Dolphins Spotted

9

Different Species Spotted

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Today's Sightings Summary

Detailed Sightings Log - July 13, 2026

Tour Species Count Behavior
Sunset TourLong-beaked Common Dolphin200DivingStampedeMugging
Sunset TourShort-beaked Common Dolphin300StampedeFeeding
Sunset TourMola mola (Sunfish)1Mugging

Detailed Sightings Log - July 13, 2026

Tour Species Count Behavior
Mid-day TourHumpback WhaleDivingMigrating
Mid-day TourOffshore Bottlenose Dolphin30DivingSurface ActivePlayingJumpingTail SlappingCow/Calf PairBow Riding
Morning Tour

Detailed Sightings Log - July 12, 2026

Tour Species Count Behavior
Mid-day TourLong-beaked Common Dolphin40DivingSurface ActivePlaying
Mid-day TourShort-beaked Common Dolphin100DivingPlayingJumpingFeedingCow/Calf PairBow Riding

Detailed Sightings Log - July 12, 2026

Tour Species Count Behavior
Morning TourMinke Whale2DivingMuggingMigrating
Morning TourHumpback Whale1DivingMigrating
Morning TourLong-beaked Common Dolphin280DivingStampedeHuntingJumpingBow Riding
Morning Tour

Detailed Sightings Log - July 11, 2026

Tour Species Count Behavior
Sunset TourMinke Whale1DivingHunting
Sunset TourRisso's Dolphin8DivingSurface Active
Sunset TourMola mola (Sunfish)5Surface Active

Detailed Sightings Log - July 11, 2026

Tour Species Count Behavior
Morning TourLong-beaked Common Dolphin50DivingSurface ActiveFeedingCow/Calf Pair
Morning TourMinke Whale1Surface Active

Recent Sightings

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Daylit Dolphins and a Sunset (ocean)Sunfish!

Privateer was treated to the dolphin deluge yet again! Bait fish and squid productivity only 5-6 miles…

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Whales and dolphins and glassy seas!

I wish all trips were this beautiful. We made our way out of Quivera Basin to the…

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A beautiful day to be at sea.

I can’t get enough of the exceptionally calm seas we’ve had today as we made our way…

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Two Kinds of Baleen Whales!

It is the best conditions of the week and gorgeous out there! Plus the oceans are filled…

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If minkes and molas weren’t enough….

How about a pod of Risso’s dolphins? The sunset trip this evening had UNBELIEVABLE conditions, flat seas…

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Minke Mittens

This morning brought us out to the drop‑off, where a frenzy of hungry long‑beaked common dolphins was…

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Our Typical Route

While our route varies with sightings, we typically follow a similar course near known feeding areas.

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This Year's Stats

Total: 20,655 dolphins and 321 whales.

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