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

Recent Sightings


  • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2025

    Today we had intermittent fog that greatly reduced our visibility.  However, we did observe three feeding humpback whales less than one mile from shore at the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula.

    We also counted 18 harbor seals.


  • SUNDAY. AUGUST 31, 2025

    Hazy on the horizon but good visibility overall.  Some whitecaps and slight wind.

    AT SAUNDERS REEF WE OBSERVED:

    🔶 9 humpbacks – two breaches

    🔶 1 sea lion swimming north

    🔶 7 brown pelicans

    AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA WE OBSERVED :

    🔶 3 humpbacks – two traveling north together, one single

    🔶 5 harbor seals – high tide

    🔶 1 northern harrier

    🔶 14 brown pelicans


  • SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 2025

    Slightly hazy on the horizon today. A bit more windy than previous days and some whitecaps have developed.

    AT THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA WE OBSERVED:

    ♦️ 12 humpbacks – many breaching, chin slamming, flukes and back visible

    ♦️ 12 harbor seals – high tide

    ♦️ 2 black oystercatchers

    ♦️ 35 brown pelicans

    AT SAUNDERS REEF  WE OBSERVED:

    ♦️ 1 humpback


  • FRIDAY, AUGUST. 29, 2025

    On this absolutely gorgeous summer day, we observed at Gerstle Cove in Salt Point State Park.  Calm ocean, gentle breeze, excellent visibility.

    WE OBSERVED:

    ✳️ 15 humpback whales – many breaching

    ✳️ 2 minke whales swiftly swimming north

    ✳️ 8 harbor seals – at high tide

    ✳️ 1 Osprey with a fish

    ✳️ 1 northern pygmy owl

    ✳️ 1 white-tailed kite – hovering

    ✳️ 3 great blue herons in flight

    ✳️ 15-20 brown pelicans feeding, 55 flying south, 66 flying north

    🔷 2 humpback whales seen in Point Arena, at least one was breaching multiple times, seen by Mel Smith

    🔷 3 humpback whales seen off Ollies’s straight by Shari Goforth

     

     


  • 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