Don’t harass something bigger than your boat

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I still haven’t located a hard and fast rule book for observing whales, but you can find a draft of the Wildlife Watching Handbook here.

The basic message: stand clear of whales, dolphins, turtles and seal and sea lion haul-outs by 100 yards.

If the critters approach you, make no sudden moves.

These sea lion pups swam out to me when I was some 200 yards offshore then followed me for a mile. They got bored like regular puppies and finally swam ahead.

When they first joined me, they swam quite close astern. I heard them before I saw them and when I turned to look, they shyly dove, coming up in front of me. They were fine as long as I didn’t make eye contact. So I didn’t and I got to watch them frolic as they cruised the south shore of Anacapa.

Photos (whale below and sea lion pups): Chris Tucker of Sailtime

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About Capt. Dan

Capt. Dan is an American Sailing Association certified instructor and runs a sail charter operation in Southern California. I'm particularly interested in sailing (obviously) and ecology issues, particularly those affecting the Channel Islands here in Southern California

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