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

2,298

Dolphins Spotted

8

Different Species Spotted

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Today's Sightings Summary

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

Detailed Sightings Log - July 10, 2026

Tour Species Count Behavior
Mid-day TourLong-beaked Common Dolphin200StampedeHuntingNursery PodCow/Calf Pair
Mid-day TourFin Whale1DivingSurface Active
Sunset TourLong-beaked Common Dolphin200Nursery PodFeedingCow/Calf Pair
Sunset TourFin Whale1Surface ActiveFeeding

Detailed Sightings Log - July 10, 2026

Tour Species Count Behavior
Morning TourLong-beaked Common Dolphin300StampedeNursery PodSurface Active

Recent Sightings

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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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Fins in the canyon!

La Jolla Canyon has been the hotspot for incredible wildlife lately! We’ve had a fin whale or…

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Crawling the Canyon Walls

The Privateer combed along the drop-off 5 miles from shore and encountered a pod of ~300 long-beaked…

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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: 20,785 dolphins and 321 whales.

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Departing daily from Mission Bay.

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