This image shows the fins of several gray whales above the surface of the water

Recent Sightings


  • THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025

    Another beautiful day here on the Mendonoma coast.  Ocean is still as calm as a lake and the morning clouds gave way to bright sunshine.  No clouds and no wind. Excellent visibility. Many fishing boats in the area.

    AT THE POINT ARENA  LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA, WE OBSERVED:

    🔆 8 humpbacks- one breached once creating a huge splash

    🔆 34 harbor seals – at high tide

    🔆 12-14 brown pelicans diving into the ocean to feed

    🔆 1 American kestrel

    AT SAUNDERS REEF, WE OBSERVED:

    🔆 3 humpbacks

    NEAR ROBINSON’S REEF, SHARI GOFORTH OBSERVED:

    🔆 1 humpback -tail slapping

     

     


  • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2025

    The ocean was as calm as a lake today and visibility was excellent.

    At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula, we observed:

    🔺 8 humpbacks

    🔺27 harbor seals – at high tide

    🔺 300-350 brown pelicans flying north; others resting in the ocean

    🔺 4 flocks of approximately. 50-60 cormorants flying north

    🔺 1 osprey

    🔺 1 American kestrel

    AT SAUNDERS REEF, WE OBSERVED:

    🔺 1 humpback

    🔺8 sea lions swimming south

    🔺13 brown pelicans

    🔶 Shari Goforth observed one very energetic humpback just north of Gualala Point. This whale breached 7 times, chin slapped, tail thrashed twice, then did five more breaches!

    Shari sent this picture of the humpback to us and we appreciate her allowing us to share it with you in this website.

     


  • TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2025

    After three consecutive days of very foggy conditions,  today finally provided some decent conditions and visibility for observing whales.

    We received word from Shari Goforth that several humpbacks could be seen offshore from the  beach at Gualala Point Regional Park, south of Gualala Point Island. Thank you, Shari!

    We went there and observed:

    💠 7 humpbacks

    💠 4 sea lions

    💠  approximately 100-125 brown pelicans, resting on the beach with many gulls, then taking flight and returning to the beach to rest

    💠 6 Canada geese

    We then went to Saunders Reef where several more humpbacks were present. Here we observed:

    💠 8 humpbacks

    💠 14 brown pelicans

    💠 1 red-tailed hawk


  • FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2025

    With a cloudy sky, blows were challenging to see today at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula.  We observed:

    🔷 11- 12 humpbacks scattered throughout our observation area

    🔶 61 harbor seals

    🔷 1 great blue heron

    🔶 23 brown pelicans

    NO WHALES SEEN AT SAUNDERS REEF

    🔷 18 brown pelicans


  • TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2025

    Another beautiful day with excellent visibility. Calm seas with a light breeze.

    AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA, WE OBSERVED:

    🔆 4 humpbacks – two singles and one group of two

    🔆 111 harbor seals

    🔆 4 black oystercatchers

    🔆 1 great blue heron

    AT SAUNDERS REEF:

    🔆 2 humpbacks