
Recent Sightings
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FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2025
OBSERVATIONS TODAY FROM GERSTLE COVE IN SALT POINT STATE PARK:
The ocean was calm but the sky was cloudy and gray. Whale blows were difficult to see against the gray sky.❇️ 4 humpback whales – slowly traveling north – one tail slapped just a few times and then did a full breach!
❇️ 9 harbor seals
❇️ 1 female elephant seal hauled out in a small cove she had all to herself
❇️ 1 osprey
❇️ 58 brown pelicans flying north
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THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2025
OBSERVATIONS FROM THE POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE PENINSULA:
🔆 1 humpback whale
🔆 66 harbor seals
🔆 1 great blue heron
🔆 2 red-tailed hawks
OBSERVATIONS FROM SAUNDERS REEF:
🔆 1 humpback whale
🔆 73 brown pelicans
Thank you to Diane Hichwa for alerting us of humpback whales that were spotted traveling north off the Sea Ranch at the White Barn and heading towards Gualala Point Island. We also thank Craig Tooley for photographing the whales off Del Mar Point and for the great video of the whale tail slapping:

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2025
Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:
💠 one humpback whale
💠 48 harbor seals
💠 56 brown pelicans
💠 1 great blue heron
💠 4 black oystercatchers
NO WHALES SEEN AT SAUNDERS REEF
💠 23 brown pelicans
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MONDAY, JULY 14, 2025
The ocean was calm today, no wind, some fog way out on the horizon but excellent visibility overall.
At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:
🔶 NO WHALES SEEN
🔶 84 Harbor seals
🔶 1 great blue heron in flight
🔶 38 brown pelicans flying north and several small groups of pelicans feeding
🔶 1 Caspian Tern flying in circles above the feeding pelicans
♦️♦️ NO WHALES SEEN AT SAUNDERS REEF
🔶 17 brown pelicans flying north