2016 Tour 3 Islas San Benito

Hello whalewatchers: We had a great day on San Benito Island and saw lots of elephant seals.@ Steve Lamb Passengers got to see humpback whales and a blue whale while they were walking on the island, and a sperm whale had washed up on the beach. Everyone had an opportunity to see all the whale’s features up close at this sad encounter. We left the island and then had great looks at a blue whale at very close distance. Lots of great photography this afternoon! We’re headed south to San Ignacio Lagoon tonight and will be there in the mid-morning. Wish us luck!
Capt Aaron and Searcher crew

2020-07-15T16:34:46-07:00March 11th, 2016|Trip Reports|

Tour #5 Islas San Benito

Hello whalewatchers: Wildlife viewing started at daylight when we had three black footed albatrosses and a laysan albatross follow us all the way to San Benito Island.  The group had a great day on the island and saw four different pinnipeds (harbor, Guadalupe fur, and elelephant seals, and California sea lions), peregrine falcons and ospreys as well. After we got everyone aboard and left the island. we saw a blue whale and spent some time with it. The views of the whale were spot on!  We managed to parallel the whale for 15 minutes with the animal just a few feet under the surface in blue water. Then after a small bit of its tail we called it an awesome way to spend a day. So we’re off to San Ignacio lagoon to see if we can find a gray whale.
Capt Aaron and the Searcher crew

2015-03-26T21:34:53-07:00March 26th, 2015|Trip Reports|

Tour #1: Islas San Benito

Hello whalewatchers,
Today was a glorious day at Islas San Benito. There has been some rain here in the recent past because there were some green areas and  flowers in bloom–blue dicks , island mallow, cliff spurge and more. There were plenty of northern elephant seals including hauled out males and females with pups. There was a lack of Guadalupe fur seals in the usual spots, but the large swell might have something to do with it. Some of the group found a colony of about 65 animals on the north side of west island. There were plenty of ospreys on the nests as well. All in all, it was a wonderful day with hiking, photography and wildlife watching
We are currently headed southeast towards Laguna San Ignacio, hoping to arrive just after breakfast tomorrow. We hope to find some whales and dolphins this afternoon.
More tomorrow,
Capt Art

2012-02-09T16:30:49-08:00February 9th, 2012|Trip Reports|

Tour #5 Islas San Benito March 27

Hello all,
Today we arrived at Islas San Benito. Prior to getting here we had two pairs of albatross in our wake–one pair of laysan albatross and one pair of black-footed albatross. We also had a red-billed tropic bird.
After arriving at the island we put our skiffs in the water and got everyone in for a skiff ride to look at the Guadalupe fur seals, California sea lions and northern elephant seals before going ashore for a hike.

Everyone had a great day and after we departed, we were really fortunate to get a group of Pacific white-sided dolphin that bow rode for quite a while.
We are headed south towards Laguna San Ignacio arriving tomorrow morning.
Looking forward to getting there again.
More then,
Capt Art

2011-03-27T16:44:43-07:00March 27th, 2011|Trip Reports|

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