Olivia Esqueda | May 3rd, 2026 | M/V Osprey | 12:30pm

Today was an extra special day because we were able to share our trip with the San Juan Island community. We set up a trip with Island Rec to get locals out on the water, and it is always such a joy! It was one of those trips where things seemed to “T” up perfectly- beautiful, warm weather, calm seas, sunny skies, crisp mountain views, and lots of wildlife right near home! 

Heading south, we came across multiple Bald Eagles right away in...

Kelly | M/V Osprey | April 27th, 2026 | 1:30pm 

It was a fruitful day for whale reports here the in the Salish Sea, with multiple sightings to investigate in our general radius! Not to mention it was naturalist Abby's birthday! We do believe in birthday luck here at San Juan Safaris... To start our journey we took a right outside Friday Harbor and made our way south in San Juan Channel. As we maneuvered into Cattle Pass, a humpback whale came into view! We watched this graceful giant come up for...

Olivia Esqueda | April 23rd, 2026 | M/V Osprey | 11:00am

What a fun midday trip to kick off the end of the year with the Friday Harbor Sophomore class! Taking a break from their state testing, we had them out on our vessel for a field trip right on their home turf. 

Traveling inter-island, we aimed for Eastsound (the middle of the horseshoe on Orcas Island) where we had an early morning report of the same whales we saw the day before all of way over by Victoria, B.C. On the way, we passed heaps of...

Kelly | M/V Osprey | April 20th, 2026 | 1:30pm 

We left Friday Harbor with nothing but a solo whale report potentially too far into Canadian water for our boat to transit. Wasting no time, we began our journey heading north in San Juan Channel, quickly slipping into President's Channel. As we cruised into the bigger body of water between Waldron and Sucia island, I heard chatter on the our local radio- fellow naturalist Abby spotted something in the distance! Through Binoculars and with Abby's...

Kelly | M/V Osprey | April 18th, 2026 | 1:30pm 

I was beyond excited to head inter-island and investigate a whale report just outside Bellingham Bay. The whales reported where the infamous T419's a mysterious NEW (Yes, new) Bigg's killer whale family that was first reported off Vancouver city last month. Made up of:

• T419 — female
• T420 — male, born around 2012
• T421 — born around 2021

Since then, the group of three has made their way down to Seattle and back, seen traveling both alone and with other...

Kelly | M/V Osprey | April 15th, 2026 | 1:30pm The weather was moody as we exited Friday Harbor and took a left into San Juan Channel. Depending on which direction you looked the sky varied from overcast, heavy rain and bright sunshine. We slipped over the top of San Juan Island and very quickly slowed our speed as we approached a pair of killer whales from a half mile. These whales were identified as: T65 Whidbey II (before) 1968 F T63 Chainsaw 1978 M This mother and son duo had just departed...

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 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...

Lauren | M/V Osprey | Thursday, August 14th, 2025 | 12:30 PM

Today we went the distance! The M/V Osprey made the 30 mile trek from Friday Harbor  to Cowichen Bay on the east coast of Vancouver Island. We got a report that whales were picked up in Saanich Inlet heading north. These whales heading north was a good sign, but if they headed northwest we would be in a predicament. We left the dock and headed for these whales, hoping for the best. With no time for stops, we left Friday Harbor and...