Welcome to the Whale Report Blog

Olivia Esqueda | April 5th, 2026 | M/V Sea Lion | 12:30pm

Heading south down San Juan Channel, we were met with crisp mountain views, both Mount Baker AND Mount Rainier in sight, and calm, blue seas. The sunshine warming the Salish Sea was the best spring day we could have asked for. After briefly stopping to view Steller’s Sea Lions thermoregulating at Whale Rocks and rolling around in the current, we passed Harbor Porpoise and Bald Eagles as we turned into Salmon Bank started crossing west...

Abby | M/V Osprey | April 8th, 2026 | 1:30pm

Another beautiful day on San Juan Island! Today we had a report of Bigg’s Killer Whales before we even left the dock. Luckily, they were staying in the same general area, so as we left the harbor we headed south towards Cattle Point. When we took the first turn out of the harbor we were greeted with a pair of Steller’s Sea Lions swimming. Wildlife can be found in so many places out here and we never know what we are going to find! We kept heading south...

Abby | M/V Osprey | April 6th, 2026 | 1:30pm

We departed Friday Harbor and traveled along the ferry route towards the eastern side of Orcas Island. As we rounded the southeastern point of Orcas Island, we saw a number of Steller’s Sea Lions swimming off the shore. The waters were so clear and calm that we had incredible looks at their big brown bodies below the water’s surface. Not far away was a report of 18 Bigg’s Killer Whales! When this many individuals are together, we call it a T-Party. The...

Abby | M/V Kestrel | April 5th, 2026 | 2pm

The first M/V Kestrel trip of the season kicked off with sunny skies and beautiful waters. We traveled south in San Juan Channel and made our way towards Cattle Point, the southernmost point on San Juan Island. Our first stop was to Whale Rocks, where Steller’s Sea Lions haul out. Hold your breath, because unfortunately we were downwind and caught some striking sniffs of their stench. We also couldn’t help hearing their barking sounds as they...

Kelly | M/V Sea Lion | April 3rd, 2026 | 12:30pm

We dipped over the top of San Juan Island in our search for whales and other wildlife. Slipping into the Haro Strait from Spieden Channel, we pointed west and kept our eyes peeled in the distance for any blows or dorsal fins. While searching, we were treated to stunning views of the Olympic mountain range and San Juan's historic Lime Kiln Lighthouse. Soon, exhales appeared in the distance! A group of 5 whales including:

• T065B/Chunk — female, born in...

Abby | M/V Osprey | March 30th, 2026 | 1:30pm

Our trip on Monday was filled with sun rays and calm waters. We traveled south in San Juan Channel out of Friday Harbor. We always keep our heads on a swivel traveling around the Salish Sea as we never know what we are going to come across. In the treetops we saw Bald Eagles watching everyone pass by below. As we continued south, we passed Goose Island where we saw some Pelagic and Double Crested Cormorants. It is always neat to view the Double...

Abby | M/V Sea Lion | March 29th, 2026 | 12:30pm

We had a wet trip this Sunday afternoon with rain drizzling down from the start. As we departed from Friday Harbor, we headed towards Lopez Island. We had a report of a group of Bigg’s Killer Whales traveling towards the Lopez Island Ferry Dock. It did not take us long to see some exhalations in the distance and those iconic black dorsal fins sticking out from the grey rainy background. We began viewing a group of 6 killer whales from the T049A...

Kelly | M/V Sea Lion | March 27th, 2026 | 12:30pm

With an (almost) full boat of passengers on this gorgeous sunny spring day, we took a left out of Friday Harbor a pointed north up San Juan Channel. We Stopped briefly to enjoy the sleepy sea lions lounging on Spieden Island's Green Point. We began slowly cruising up Spieden islands west side, enjoying looks at numerous bald eagles and Mouflon Sheep. Rounding over the top of Roche Harbor and into the Haro Strait we were treated to crystal clear...

Olivia Esqueda | March 22nd, 2026 | M/V Sea Lion | 12:30pm

My goodness, this Sunday was such a heartwarming experience out on the water! It was my first trip of 2026 with Captain Pete, and we were able to explore one of his favorite routes (north around Spieden Island) where we happen to also find Bigg’s Killer Whales. This matriline is one of my top three favorite families to see out here throughout the years- the T018’s (mostly referred to now as the T019’s since T018 is presumed deceased and...

Olivia Esqueda | March 21st, 2026 | M/V Sea Lion | 12:30pm

Today was sincerely such a fun trip circumnavigating San Juan Island, and my first of the season with Captain Brian. We headed south through San Juan Channel, towards Cattle Point Lighthouse where a Bald Eagle was perched proudly at the top. Heading west around Salmon Bank, we came across not one, but TWO Humpback Whales! Identified as BCX1068 (migrating up from Mexico) and BCX1800 (migrating up from Hawaii). It was a gift to not only see...