Saturday, June 20th

Sometimes the wildlife comes to us, and this past Saturday was one of those days.

Just 5 to 10 minutes after departing Fisherman's Wharf, a gray whale was spotted just north of Alcatraz. We quickly made our way over and were rewarded with an incredible encounter.

The whale was large, active, and seemed content to spend time in the area. For the next 30 to 40 minutes, guests enjoyed repeated close views as it surfaced around the boat. The highlight of the encounter came when the whale lifted its tail flukes several times before diving. Gray whales don't always show their flukes, making these moments especially memorable and a favorite among our guests.

After leaving the whale, we changed course slightly and circled around Angel Island before continuing toward the Golden Gate. The route provided beautiful views of Sausalito and Tiburon, two picturesque Marin County waterfront communities that added even more scenery to an already spectacular day on the water.

Wildlife sightings continued throughout the trip. Near Angel Island, we observed sea lions actively hunting, several harbor seals hauled out nearby, and harbor porpoises traveling through the area. The calm conditions allowed us to venture farther west than usual, nearly reaching Lands End while enjoying sweeping views of the Pacific coastline.

It was another fantastic day on the water, highlighted by an unforgettable gray whale encounter and excellent wildlife viewing throughout the Bay.