orca whale watching by seattle

Boy, did we have a great day out on the water today! A boatload of guests, Captain Pete, naturalist Tristen , and I departed Friday Harbor with the sun glistening on our faces. The weather today was warmer than the past few days, it is really starting to feel like summer is coming to the islands...Read more

With the sun shining and the water sparkling , Captain Nancy, the other naturalist Tristen, a group of (as always) enthusiastic and eager guests, and I took off from Friday Harbor with the hopes of meeting up with J pod. To the excitement of guests, naturalists, and captains alike, J pod (the most...Read more

After a few days off the water, I was antsy to get my share of the J Pod viewing action. Luckily, J Pod decided to appease my desires and we left Friday Harbor with a group of excited guests to catch up with the whales (well, dolphins - technically) on the west side of the San Juan Island. After...Read more

Our adventure startedby heading North out of Friday Harbor. We found the orca whales about 5 miles North of Patos Island heading and they were headed north. Members of J and K pods were there. We identified J-1 "Ruffles". We were also lucky enough to see one individual back dive about 4 times in a...Read more

With no reports of whales our safari started by heading South out of Friday Harbor. We passed Whale Rocks and encountered Steller's Sea Lions and Harbor Seals. I am always impressed with the size of Steller's Sea Lions around 1500 pounds! Pupping season for harbor seals is mid June and I can't wait...Read more

Today on the Sea Lion we went out North of Friday Harbor, on the way to find the orcas we saw Harbor Seals hauled out. We then found J-pod. We saw a calf, one female and one male. On the way back to Friday Harbor we encountered Stellar Sea Lions of Patos Island swimming. Everyone was amazed with...Read more

Orcas , J-pod found just south of Sinclair Island. We counted about 20 individuals and we were lucky enough to see a calf. We were able to see the orange-ish pigmentation. We were also able to identify J-1, Ruffles. They seemed to be in a sleep pattern. Orcas are voluntary breathers so they exhibit...Read more

It was a lovely golden day on our inland waters and our boat load of guests were a real treat. Captain Pete, Ashley and I welcomed a full boat of passengers onto the MV Sea Lion, including a wee mariner just new to this beautiful world. Our destination was soon discovered to be the open waters just...Read more