Video of Dolphin Sitings of SF Bay Whale Watching expedition August 2006. Northern Right-Whale Dolphin, Rissos Dolphin and Pacific White-Sided
Dolphin were spotted that day and identified by Carol Kieper.
Dolphin information and Migration Patterns off the Northern California Coast
Cetaceans - Dolphins and Porpoises
These are the what has been identified in the area that we are aware of at this time. Scroll down the
page to learn more on each species.
Cetaceans (Whales, dolphin, and porpoises)
TOOTHED WHALES
Harbor Porpoise
Dall's Porpoise
Bottlenose Dolphin
Common Dolphin
Pacific White-Sided Dolphin
Northern Right Whale Dolphin
Risso's Dolphin
Orca
BALEEN WHALES
Gray Whale
Minke Whale
Humpback Whale
Fin Whale
Blue Whale
Pacific White Sided Dolphin (California Coast June through November) See American Catacean Society Pacific White-Sided Dolphin Fact Sheet
Pacific White Sided Dolphin are about 7 feet in length
Pacific White Sided Dolphin have 2 white body streaks
Pacific White Sided Dolphin have a tall falcate fine
Pacific White Sided Dolphin travel in groups of 5 to 100 dolphin
Pacific White Sided Dolphin are often in the company of other dophins or marine life
Risso's Dolphin See American Cetacean Society Fact Rissos's Sheet www.acsonline.org
These Dolphin usually are found off shore.
We have spotted them on our trips in groups or chorus lines.
They are very playful and curious.
They have blunt heads and usually have lots of scars or markings.
On a particularly unusual event, when there was a shark watching crowd at the island, about 14 or so of them came into Moraga Bay at the SouthEast Farallons
and went from boat to boat, then breeching in the surf at the point, circling back by every boat and leaving
the area in the same fashion. A white shark even breeched to observe this. Many naturalists present can confirm this
event.
Northern Right-Whale Dolphin
Northern Right-Whale Dolphin have no Dorsal Fin.
Northern Right-Whale Dolphin are Dark in Color sometimes with a white hourglass shape on underside.
Northern Right-Whale Dolphin like bow riding.
Are often found offshore.
Bottlenose Dolphin Bottlenose Dolphin information on ACSonline.org Cetacean Soceity Fact Sheet
The bottlenose dolphin is perhaps one of the most well known cetaceans, because of its widespread use in marine parks and research facilities. The bottlenose dolphin may be best known as "Flipper" (as seen in the television series). This is the dolphin most frequently seen along the shores of the United States. This species is very flexible in its behavior.
Harbor Porpoise Harbor Porpoise information at ASConline.org Cetacean Society Fact Sheet.
One of the smallest of the oceanic cetaceans, the harbor porpoise is shy and elusive, not inclined to approach boats and bow ride, as many other species of dolphins and porpoises do. On calm days these animals can be easily detected by the loud puffing sound they make as they surface to breathe. Because of its inshore habitat, it is one of the best-studied small cetaceans, and also one of the most frequently hunted.
One of our boat captains refers to them as "chocolate chips" when sited. They are next to impossible to photograph. Sandra, SF Bay Whale Watching previous owner and founder, refers to them
as rockstars of the sea. Live fast, die young.
Birding the Carquinez Straight Scenic Loop Trail Downloadable PDF
Which is a collaboration amoung the Bay Area Ridge Trail, the San Francisco Bay Trail, by the San Francisco Bay Bridge Observatory. For more
information visit www.baytrail.com, www.ridgetrail.org or for copies of this guide and detailed lists of birds visit www.sfbbo.org.
Birding the Carquinez Straight Scenic Loop Trail Downloadable PDF
Which is a collaboration amoung the Bay Area Ridge Trail, the San Francisco Bay Trail, by the San Francisco Bay Bridge Observatory. For more
information visit www.baytrail.com, www.ridgetrail.org or for copies of this guide and detailed lists of birds visit www.sfbbo.org.