Blues & Breaches in Monterey Bay

Hello, my name is Helen Bryon, and I am a biophiliac. A bio what? I had to look it up after hearing it on Countryfile recently but now, suitably informed, there’s no doubt in my mind that I am acutely affected by the biophilia hypothesis. It says that we have an innate need to connect with nature and to surround ourselves with life forms, whether they be flora or fauna, or in my case both. There’s no doubt that a simple appreciation of the natural world drives us, just look at the hype when Sir David Attenborough advertises a new series on the TV!

I find a daily walk to the clifftop, taking in deep lungful’s of fresh air invigorates me, whilst seeing, smelling and listening to the sea brings a joy and peace to my soul that’s addictive and utterly fulfilling. The light is never the same and the cloudscape is ever changing, but I rarely consider how the underwater topography has a direct effect on what’s happening at the surface.

To illustrate this, imagine a place that reaches the depths of the Grand Canyon, but is only a stone’s throw from the shoreline. What weird and wonderful creatures might we find clinging to and adapting to life in its deep trenches, on its precipices, in its tributaries and in its shallower waters? What deep sea loving creatures may be forced to the surface as the ocean hits the continental shelf and therefore what wonders may unfold accordingly? Blue whales feeding on an abundance of krill as an influx of cold water brings them ridiculously close to shore perhaps? Orca waiting to predate upon minke whales, California sealions, northern elephant seals or super pods of Pacific white-sided dolphins? Sea otters basking in the kelp forests, preposterously endearing and always on the lookout for food as they have to eat a quarter of their body weight every day? What about Risso’s and northern right whale dolphins? Or humpbacks – the whale watchers whale – doing what they do best, tail and fin-slapping, fluking, peduncle throws, spy-hopping and best of all… breaching (all 45 tonnes of them if you’re lucky).

Welcome to California’s Monterey Bay! A year-round marine mammal watching mecca that we choose to visit in summer – August to be exact – when its rich and varied waters are at their most prolific.

You enjoy morning and afternoon excursions aboard a vessel, whilst your luxurious harbourside hotel couldn’t be closer to the action if we tried, so embrace your inner Steinbeck as you explore the stunning scenery, bays, coves and coastline of Big Sur, all while trying to unlock its wildlife secrets.

So, there we have it. Biophilia. A love of life and the need to get out into the natural world and enjoy it.

Find out more about our dolphin and whale watching holiday to Monterey Bay, or to book your place contact our team today.