July 11, 2015

Gulf Islands and J Pod

We often tell guests that Killer Whales can travel 100 miles in a day, a point of reference for the potential for viewing them in this immense archipelago. As we left Friday Harbor we were witness to how far a group can travel. The morning reports had the J2 Matriline somewhere on the South end of...Read more

April 19, 2014

Transient Orcas in Canada

With impending rain, Captain Mike steered the M/V Sea Lion north with Naturalists Heather and Emily, and guests in tow. The goal: transient killer whales off North Pender Island in Canada. A little Northwest rain did not dampen any spirits on board and before we knew it we were rewarded with great...Read more

September 12, 2013

Orcas Galore in the Salish Sea

With another beautiful day in the San Juans, Captain Mike, Caitlin, and I were thrilled to have great guests on board the boat and positive reports of resident orcas. Captain Mike steered us north toward the south end of Pender Island in Canada. We encountered a group of about 14 orcas consisting...Read more

September 11, 2013

Sunny Days with Transient Orcas

As the sun beat down on Captain Craig, the guests, and I we enjoyed a cool breeze as we left the harbor. With temperatures near 80 degrees today, everyone was thankful to be out on the water! We were lucky enough to have positive reports of transient orcas in Canadian waters. We arrived on scene...Read more

September 6, 2013

Relaxing with Resident Orcas

With dense fog rolling into Friday Harbor, Captain Mike, the guests, and I headed north toward reports of Resident Orcas in Boundry Pass. The fog made everything very quiet and it was interesting to see the Islands through the wisps. Luckily, once we motored into Boundry Pass, the fog cleared and...Read more

August 24, 2013

M/V Sea Lion Heads North.

Long trek to get to the whales today. Earlier reports had transient, our marine mammal-eating orcas, near Captains Pass heading Northeast towards Active Pass. By the time M/V Sea Lion got there from Friday Harbor the whales were at the mouth of Active Pass. Although this was a long trip to the...Read more

August 19, 2013

The M/V Kittiwake Goes The Extra Mile

Today The M/V Kittiwake wasn't going to let a little thing like distance get in the way of seeing killer whales! Reports had Transient Orcas heading west near Discovery Island off the coast of Victoria, Canada. It was going to be quite the trek to get to these whales, but Captain Jim is never one...Read more

July 18, 2013

Transient Orcas for a Birthday Gift!

Captain Jim and myself departed on M/V Kittiwake today in hopes of finding transient orcas. Our guests were hoping that since it was Captain Jim's birthday, he would be our good luck charm! Jim ended up proving to be our good luck charm! We made it up to canadian waters, specifically kellet reef,...Read more

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