On February 22, Earth Team interns from Richmond High embarked on an unforgettable adventure—whale watching in Monterey Bay! The day began bright and early at Earth Team Headquarters, where interns fueled up with pastries before hitting the road for the long drive down to Santa Cruz.
Upon arriving at the wharf around 10:30 AM, we were warmly welcomed by naturalists Sydney and Abby, along with Captain Jason from Santa Cruz Whale Watching by Stagnaro Charters. With excitement in the air, we boarded the boat and gathered for an essential safety briefing before heading out into the open water. The crew emphasized the importance of life vests, showing interns where to find them and how to put them on in case of emergency. We also learned about the stability of the boat and the safest places to stand or hold onto when navigating choppy waters. The naturalists explained the importance of keeping three points of contact—two feet and one hand—on the boat at all times to prevent slips or falls. Lastly, they advised us on how to manage seasickness, suggesting that those prone to motion sickness should stay near the back of the boat, focus on the horizon, and take deep breaths of fresh ocean air. With all safety measures covered, we were ready to set sail!
We were greeted early on in our journey by a northward bound grey whale. Grey whales make one of the longest yearly migrations in the world, traveling from Alaska to the Baja Peninsula and back totaling an over 10,000 mile trip. The whale we spotted was making the journey back north for the summer after partying all winter down in Mexico. This whale treated us to multiple tail flukes as it dove beneath the surface, a breathtaking sight for our interns.
Continuing on our journey, we saw a decently large pod of Risso’s Dolphins. Unlike the sleek, smooth-skinned dolphins most people imagine, Risso’s dolphins are covered in scars making them easy to identify. Interns learned that Risso’s enjoy a diet of primarily squid, but, it turns out, squid aren’t exactly willing participants in the food chain. Armed with sharp beaks and strong, suction-cupped tentacles, they fight back when Risso’s dolphins swoop in for a meal. The result is the distinct scarring pattern across the head and face of Risso’s Dolphins. Interns were fascinated to learn that these battle scars actually help scientists identify individual dolphins, almost like fingerprints.
Finally, towards the end of our trip, we made it far out into Monterey Bay and caught a glimpse of a lone humpback whale. This whale was quite evasive, so it was difficult to spot, but interns were able to pick out the spout of the whale breathing shooting out from the surface of the water. Like the distinct scarring on the Risso’s Dolphins, Humpbacks also have unique marlins. Scientists, naturalists, and whale watchers can actually identify an individual Humpback from the appearance of its tail fluke! The naturalists shared stories of some of their favorite whales with interns on our way back to shore.
The journey back to shore was an adventure in itself. With choppy waves crashing against the boat, a few interns—along with coordinator Darius—got an unexpected saltwater soak!
This whale watching trip is part of Earth Team’s ongoing commitment to experiential learning, a cornerstone of NOAA’s Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) framework. By combining environmental science with adventure, Earth Team fosters a deep understanding of ecological systems while equipping students with the skills and inspiration to become leaders in sustainability.
Earth Team would like to thank Sydney, Abby, and Captain Jason for their knowledge and hospitality. The team from Stagnaro Charters was incredible and supported all interns out on the water. Earth Team would also like to thank NAAEE EEBlue, City of Richmond ECIA Community Grant, and the Joseph and Vera Long Foundation for making this transformative experience possible. Together, we are shaping the next generation of environmental stewards.
