After leaving the Mission Bay Channel entrance, we had a good sign: All clear horizons after a foggy morning. Above, a solar halo, a full circular rainbow, caused by sunlight refracting though high altitude ice crystals in cirrus clouds.
We went 11-miles offshore to find cetaceans. We saw 1 humpback, then a pair, then a second pair. A minimum of 4, possibly five humpbacks migrating south for their wintering grounds in the sub-tropics, likely Mexico or possibly Central America. We saw them blowing and fluking and diving down for about 6-minute dives. As soon as we departed, the two Humpback whales closest to us did a double breach, then did so 5 more times! Although the first time was the highest leap out of the water, all of the breaches caused huge splashes. Soon after, the two other whales leaped out of the water as well about a 1/2-mile away. Seeing all four whales breach was a once-in-a-lifetime type of event. Come on out and expect the unexpected on a San Diego Whale Watch. —Interpretive specialist Greg McCormack
