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

Navigating inner island was truly something special. With the gray skies, calm seas, and lush, green trees, the Salish Sea wildlife had a way of really “coming alive” today. We headed inner island, spotting many birds along the way including Rhinoceros Auklets, Pigeon Guillemots, adult and juvenile Bald Eagles, Common Murres, Marbled Murrelets, Pelagic Cormorants, and even a Great Blue Heron right as we entered Rosario Strait. With...

Abby | M/V Sea Lion | April 11th, 2026 | 12:30pm

Unlike our trips the past few days, we left our dock in Friday Harbor with gray skies and drizzling rain. We turned north into San Juan Channel and planned to head towards Spieden Island. After maybe 30 minutes of cruising north, the captain and I heard another one of our captains on the radio report a group of killer whales. We are in constant communication with other boats and captains to see what everyone is seeing out on the water. Luckily...

Abby | M/V Sea Lion | April 10th, 2026 | 12:30pm

Yet another sunny spring day here in Friday Harbor! We had gorgeous weather for the entirety of our trip. We headed south in San Juan Channel and made our first stop at Whale Rocks where we are often able to view Steller’s Sea Lions. There were quite a few hauled out on the rocky shore, and several swimming in the water as well. We turned east and cruised along the southern end of Lopez Island, known as Iceberg Point. As we neared Rosario Strait...

Kelly | M/V Sea Lion | April 9th, 2026 | 12:30pm

The sunny weather continues here in Friday Harbor! We pointed east across San Juan Channel and into the heart of the San Juan Islands, enjoying breathtaking looks at Mount Baker and the North Cascades along the way. After departing Obstruction Channel, we took a left and began to point north up the Rosario Strait, investigating the whale report up ahead. On our way up Orcas Island's southeast side, we made a quick pit stop at the Peapod Islands...

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...

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 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...