It is a wonderful local blessing to have so many whales to watch. Along with the blues of summer, we enjoy seeing humpback whales, which are even more show-off by nature than the blues. Humpies will breach much more often than the blues and are generally a bit friendlier.

Every once in a while, a blue whale will get curious and friendly and pay a social call on a boat full of happy whale watchers. It is like they know we want to say hi! They might come right up to the boat and roll partway over to gaze back at us in a friendly manner.

Occasionally, a blue whale will hang around a boat for 10 or 15 minutes, and sort of adopt everyone aboard, making us feel very special.

I count my blessings, as I remember back to all the encounters I have been fortunate to enjoy, while taking folks out on my charter boat to see these magnificent beasts. Most of the sightings are of spouts and backs as they surface while traveling, take a few breaths, then slip back beneath the surface for another several minutes and sometimes much longer.

They often fluke after their last big breath, putting that massive tail in the air for a photo moment.

Once, while out in mid-channel we slowed my charterboat to watch a happy humpback whale that was breaching repeatedly. I think it had an itch, because it swam the 100 yards or so over to us and gently rubbed its back on the hull of the boat. It was a little scary, but the critter was gentle.

Afterward, the humpback poked its head out of the water to look at us and it opened its mouth so wide that it just had to be a contented yawn.

While out there, we also see dolphins. Not just a few, but hundreds and sometimes even thousands. It takes my breath away to look across the water and see a half-mile of water erupting in jumping dolphins. For each one above water, there are about 10 more under the surface.

I happily confess, dolphins are my personal favorite critters, and I think they know it, considering the way they rush in to play on the bow waves and stern wakes of my boat.

Dolphins are around all year. The whales will be here through late-summer, so it is high time to get on out there and enjoy this whale of an opportunity.

We are fortunate to have a variety of whale watching boats available. Sea Landing/Truth Aquatics runs the Condor Express. Santa Barbara Sailing Center runs the Double Dolphin. Private charter boats are sometimes available in the harbor. It is nice to have options.

— Capt. David Bacon operates WaveWalker Charters and is president of SOFTIN Inc., a nonprofit organization providing seafaring opportunities for those in need. Visit softininc.blogspot.com to learn more about the organization and how you can help. Click here to read previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.