Southern Resident Killer Whales Swim San Juan Island

September 3, 2020

A Memorable Southern Resident Killer Whale Experience

Olivia | M/V Kestrel | September 3rd, 2020 | 14:00 Every day feels unique and special with the mass diversity we have in the Salish Sea; however, some days stand out a bit more. A cloudless day, glassy seas, and Mount Baker standing sharp over the islands set the tone for a memorable day. Briefly...Read more

September 14, 2019

Amazing Peduncle Throwing Humpback!

Jordan | M/V Sea Lion | 09/14/19 | 12:00pm Today was unlike any day I’ve had in the San Juan’s! Captain Pete, Naturalist Olivia and I headed out of Friday Harbor and headed down south through the San Juan Channel on the lookout for any wildlife. We reached the southern point of San Juan and admired...Read more

August 21, 2019

Bigg's Killer Whales and Two Humpbacks Just Off Roche Harbor!

Piper | Wednesday, August 21, 2019 | M/V Kestrel | 11:00 AM This morning there were a few reports of orcas around the Salish Sea, so Captain Gabe and I took some lovely guests out on the Kestrel to check them out! It was a very typical PNW day out, rainy and foggy, but sometimes those days are...Read more
Southern Resident Orca

October 3, 2016

Resident Orcas Hit the west side before Sunrise

Yesterday, the sun was out again and the seas were calm. Early in the morning the Southern Resident Killer Whales could be heard over one of the hydrophones placed on the west side of the island, and by the time the sun came up there was a whole lot of orcas spread out along the southern shore of...Read more

August 7, 2016

Breach Day Saturday

Whales, whales, whales...we have a marvelously diverse marine ecosystem out here, but of course, sometimes we get to encounter the biggest marine mammals of all. Humpbacks, minkes, killer whales, gray whales...each day brings new sightings and new experiences! Sea Lion was up and running, ready for...Read more
Female Orca Breaches

January 27, 2016

Orca Behavior 101: Breaching

"So, what makes them breach?" Ahhhhhhh, the most common question whale watchers consistently ask. The answer is...... We don't know for sure!! A full breach is known as the "big splash" or more scientifically as when more than two thirds of a whale’s body leaves the water. This behavior is one of...Read more

July 8, 2012

SUMMER IS HERE...

AND SO ARE THE WHALES! The salmon must be satisfying, because we have been seeing our Southern Residents for weeks now, on both trips! Today around 3:00 PM we met up with at least 10 members of J and L pod just south of Mosquito Pass, traveling north in Haro Strait (48°35.66N, 123°12.61). They...Read more

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