Mon July 29 – Whale Watching – Viking Star

Although the whales are still around, Mother Nature had other plans in store for yesterday’s trip. It was raining most of the morning and when we left the dock, but reports indicated a clearing shortly after our departure time. We headed towards the area where we have previously encountered large numbers of humpbacks and other cetaceans, passing through numerous downpours along the way. Most passengers spent the travel time staying dry inside the cabin while pelagic shearwaters and storm petrels were spotted and reported along the way. When we arrived on the feeding grounds, multiple blows belonging to at least eight humpback whales were spotted in near proximity to the vessel. Great news were it not for the fact that driving downpours made viewing difficult for most. These were large humpbacks swimming in groups of three and two, at times surfacing close to the vessel. Hoping the rain would let up and everyone would get some views, we spent some time with the animals, which also included a minke whale and a spyhopping humpback just ahead of the vessel. Unfortunately, the heavy rain continued and lightning put an end to our time with these majestic creatures. We steamed back, returning safely to the dock, ready to try again another day.

8-12 humpback whales (8 in close proximity; multiple blows over a mile away also spotted)

1 minke whale

40-60 great shearwaters

20-30 Cory’s shearwaters

10-12 sooty shearwaters

60-80 Wilson’s storm petrels