10/4/17- M/V Sea Lion- 12PM

One common topic of conversation during our whale watching trips is Spieden Island, previously known as Safari Island. 

Spieden Island is the largest privately owned island in the San Juans.  It is roughly two miles long, so it is pretty substantial to say the least.  There are many rumors of who currently and previously have owned this island but one story in particular is best known.  Back in the 60’s three brothers, who were taxidermists, purchased the...

10/3/17- M/V Sea lion- 12PM

We left Friday Harbor and headed towards Haro Strait, towards reports of Bigg’s killer whales in the area.  We had barely made it out of the harbor when a humpback surprised us near the shoreline of San Juan Island.  We quickly turned around to follow the animal as it traveled South East.  We watched as the humpback whale did a few diving sequences, showing us its beautiful 15ft wide tail.  We decided to keep going and head towards the orca reports. 

On...

[Sarah M – 10/04/2017 – M/V Sea Lion – 12:00pm]

Today was a perfect fall day, and we experienced quintessential San Juan Islands wildlife! Leaving Friday Harbor we headed east for Upright Channel between Lopz and Shaw Islands. The water was glassy and we had crystal clear, panoramic views of Mt. Baker. We wove inter-island, taking in the scenery, before popping out into Rosario Strait.  Mt. Baker was breathtaking across the sweeping Strait.

Humpback Whale

In Rosario we encountered a...

[Alexandria – 10/02/2017 – M/V Sea Lion – 12:00pm]

This gorgeous afternoon Captain Mike, Naturalist Rachel and Naturalist Alexandria all took to the water to see what Wildlife we could find!  We circumnavigated the island which was a very unique experience, and an exciting opportunity to see the entire shoreline of the island!

A Hungry Harbor Seal

One of the most entertaining highlights from the trip was while on the West Side of the island, where a Harbor Seal put on quite the...

[Alexandria – 10/01/2017 – M/V Sea Lion – 12:00pm]

Magical and Mysterious Minkes

Minke whales are perhaps one of the more mysterious cetaceans in our oceans, and it is always a rare treat when we are able to see them out on the water… but on this trip we were treated to two different Minkes and were able to watch them for almost an hour!  It was basically a Minke Party!

Minke Party Details:

When?

Sunday, October 1st, 2017

Who? 

The fantastic group visiting the San Juan Islands...

09/27/17 – M/V Sea Lion – 12 PM

With great morning reports, M/V Sea Lion departed Friday Harbor Marina in search of Southern Resident orcas. The warm air giving the illusion that summer hadn’t left just yet, passengers relaxed in the sun on the bow as we headed to the south side of San Juan Island. Just as we rounded Cattle Point, there they were! Off in the distance were black knife-like dorsal fins cutting the surface after a bush of mist exhalation. Captain Gabe slowed our speed...

[Naturalist Sarah – 09/29/2017 – M/V Sea Lion – 12:00pm]

September is so amazing. Even in the late days of this most magical month we have been treated to awesome scenery and wonderful wildlife. Yesterday’s tour was a perfect illustration of the quickly changing weather that we can receive in the Pacific Northwest.Leaving Friday Harbor we had very rainy conditions, not uncommon for this time of year. We always recommend that our guests bring warm layers as well as waterproof layers...

[Naturalist Sarah – 09/28/2017 – M/V Sea Lion – 12:00pm]

What a beautiful July… errr, September day? What beautiful weather we have been treated to over the last few days! It has felt more like peak summer with eighty degree temperatures, blue skies, and whales sighted throughout the Salish Sea! As we close out September here at San Juan Safaris, we have had consistent reminders of why September is our favorite month to cruise the Islands.

San Juan Islands Wildlife

Yesterday was...

A Beautiful Day on the Water with the T 10s

[Naturalist Alexandria – 09/26/2017 – M/V Sea Lion – 12:00pm]

What an awesome day on the water we had!  Naturalist Courtney and myself were so excited to begin our trip today, as we knew our Captain had received reports of Transient, or Biggs Orcas, being in the area!  We eagerly greeted our new friends that would be joining us on our trip for the next few hours, boarded everyone onto M/V Sea Lion, and were off! 

It wasn’t long before we...

09/25/17 – M/V Sea Lion – 12 PM

Just as the rain showers tapered off to a faint drizzle, M/V Sea Lion made her way out of Friday Harbor Marina south towards Salmon Bank off San Juan Island. Moving though San Juan Channel, little 5-6 foot harbor porpoises broke the glass-like surface before disappearing back into the water. We began our search for whales in the confluence of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Rosarios Strait. Suddenly, tiny rolling black and white bodies appeared ahead of...