Logan Stecker | M/V Kestrel | July 28th 2025 | 2:00 pm

Total we got to see most of the prey animals for transient killer whales in our area before getting to watch the whales themselves! 

It all started with a harbor seal floating around the dock before we left. This cutie was doing backflips and was even present at the dock when we returned.

Stop 1: Whale Rocks

We began our first wildlife viewing by observing many Steller’s Sea Lion on Whale Rocks. These giants were quite vocal to each other as...

Logan Stecker | M/V Kestrel | July 27th 2025 | 2:00 pm

This trip was quite a venture! We booked it all the way to Galiano Island to track down the only whales seen today in our area.

On scene we got thew chance to watch the T065Bs as they maneuvered along the shore and even approached and encircled a group of hauled our seal pups on a small offshore island. This group of Transient Killer Whales consists of a mother named Chunk and her 3 children. The origin of the mother’s name comes from a chuck...

Logan Stecker | M/V Kestrel | July 21st 2025 | 2:00 pm

Today was a breathtaking and incredible day out on the water! Some of the luckiest moments I’ve experienced out here all in 3 hours.

With Humpbacks and Orcas in one outing it was already going to be a great trip… but with each encounter we got to witness interesting and inspiring behaviors that stood out among viewings.

With our Humpback friend, Monarch, we got to scene with only a little time before having to head south to find orcas that...

Olivia Ellman | M/V Osprey | July 24th, 2025 | 12:30 PM

We had a boat full of determined passengers today as our search for whales brought us south across a rocky Strait of Juan de Fuca. The closest whale sightings when we left the dock were near Victoria, BC, so we began our trip heading south in San Juan Channel. We found some harbor seals and many sea birds near Goose Island, and the extreme low tides exposed a lot more land for the seals to haul out on. As we traveled through Cattle Pass, we...

Logan Stecker | M/V Kestrel | July 20th 2025 | 10:00 am

A great day exploring the San Juan Islands – today went North - South - and all over! 

Stop 1: Spieden Island

Going across the South side of Spieden, we spotted 4 Bald Eagles! These glorious birds have made a tremendous recovery after herbicide pollution (DDT) led to their endangered status in years past. Now they are doing well and, in this area, now they have the densest population in the lower 48 states at the San Juan Islands. We also got...

Logan Stecker | Kestrel |16th of July 2025 | 1400

Today was a great day for seals! So many pups being as cute as possible all throughout our voyage. And as hoped for, a great day for whales as well!

Stop 1: Spieden Island 

Driving along Spieden, we located multiple Bald Eagles near a large nest in an isolated patch of trees near the shore. This barren island has been shaped by winter stores making the south shore a yellow grassland with a few rugged trees. At the end of this island, we stopped...

Kelly | M/V Kestrel | Sunday, July 13th 2025 | 2:00 PM

So much commotion as we left the harbor aboard the M/V Kestrel today! The ferry was leaving its port along with sea planes both departing and arriving. A busy hot summer day here on San Juan Island! It was a nice change to suddenly be in quiet water heading south down San Juan Channel. Our first stop of the day was Goose Island! Per usual, this island was absolutely teaming with harbor seals, taking full advantage of low tide. After cruising...

Logan Stecker | M/V Kestrel | July 9th of 2025 | 14:00

Wind, waves, and dreary weather lifted almost instantly after leaving Friday harbor for a day of glorious wildlife searching. 

Avoiding dreadful waves to the south, we went north toward the Pender islands and into Canada.

Along the way we watched many a bald eagle greets us along the northern shore of Spieden. These Eagles kept our spirits high as we went, flying tree to tree. 

Our first point of interest was the Turn Point Lighthouse, the most...

Olivia Ellman | M/V Osprey | July 9th, 2025 | 12:30 PM

Despite the gloomy forecast as we left Friday Harbor, spirits were high and we were ready to take in the beauty of the grey and cloudy islands. We had reports of a few humpback whales heading north by the Canadian border, so we went full speed in that direction to try to catch up with them. We traveled north and then west into Spieden Channel, scanning the coastlines and different bodies of water along the way. We found some harbor seals...

Logan | Kestrel | July 6th of 2025 | 1400 tour

Today we were immediately greeted in Friday Harbor by a cutie-patootie of a Harbor Seal which marked the start of our luck fueled venture on our speedy vessel driven by Captain Eric. 

Stop 1: Cattle Point

The beautiful sparkling waters backdropped on a most magnificent island of Gulls, Cormorants, and auks. The cormorant nests were tall, and many cormorants stood drying their wings on the rocks. Orange sunburst lichens grew atop the rocks presumably...