Whale @ McAbee

[srcalDiver]

I showed up at McAbee beach this morning knowing my buddy would not be able to make it and hoping I could dive with someone else. I met Brian, a Pacific Grove local, in the same situation.

We geared up and began our dive ~10:30am, kick out past the first reef in search of a big wall on a 40deg bearing. Water clarity was outstanding, 30-40 feet. We didn't find it, but we did find a huge set of blocks @ 50 fsw.

We were loitering around the blocks, about 30 min into the dive, when a 20-25 foot juvenile gray whale zoomed out of the haze in our direction. He passed within 20 feet of us and was headed to deeper water in a hurry.

We hovered and scanned all around us just in case he decided to come back and check us out, but he was gone.

 

[mobeeno]

Wow! That is really awsome!

 

[mikeguerrero]

So what was it like seeing something that large swim that close???

MG

 

[srcalDiver]

Overwhelming. The experience made me realize that I'm an observer down there.

 

[mikeguerrero]

Overwhelming. The experience made me realize that I'm an observer down there.

Did you react right away and know that it was a large mammal and nothing more? Does it look like a Sealion only tons bigger? Does it move at lightening speed that you blink and it's gone?

I'm really touched that you got that experience, I really don't know how I would feel other than oh my!!! @#@$% what was that???

Just don't know until it happens to you...

 

[mobeeno]

Did you react right away and know that it was a large mammal and nothing more? Does it look like a Sealion only tons bigger? .

Did the Landlord come to mind?

 

[Noboundaries]

Wow.....the tumblers of the Universe aligned for you to be underwater at that exact location and moment of your life to create a lifetime memory.

I can hear the kid whale now.........."Mom! MOM! I saw ALIENS!!!!!!"

 

[Drewpy]

I was the missing buddy! Story of my life..

Greg, once again I apologize..Im glad it all worked out! What a day!
You are a lucky man!

Drew

 

[Drewpy]

I was the missing buddy! Story of my life..

Greg, once again I apologize..Im glad it all worked out! What a day!
You are a lucky man!

Drew

 

[srcalDiver]

I spotted it just as it broke through the haze to my right and it was headed directly toward me, but offset by about 20 feet. I watched it disappear in deeper water to my left after it passed. I had whale on the mind because of the earlier Breakwater siting posts, so I assumed that's what it was. It's nothing like a sea lion in that it swam in a straight line with no weaving.

The whale seemed to be frightened because it streaked pasts us with out pausing to check us out, though I don't know if that's what a whale would choose to do. Because he was so focused on reaching deeper water I did start looking for the Landlord in hot pursuit.

The experience confirms that I have the opportunity to see anything during a Monterey shore dive, including the Landlord.