Condor Express Gone for Three Weeks

The largest whale watching vessel in the Santa Barbara harbor, the Condor Express is in the Ventura Harbor Boatyard for maintenance.

The boat will be out of service for about three weeks.

The Condor Express often carries over 100 passengers for whale watching, private parties, and special events.

It was refurbished in 2013 after a fire while docked at SeaLanding.

In recent weeks, passengers on board have reported seeing gray, blue, humpback and orca whales in the Santa Barbara Channel along with thousands of dolphins.

When the Condor Express returns the gray whale migration will be underway and daily trips should be busy again.

There are other, smaller whale watching operations out of Santa Barbara, and other options on larger ships can be found in Ventura and Morro Bay.