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A Whale-Packed Day in the San Juans

[06/10/2017 ~ M/V Sea Lion 1200 Departure]

One of the biggest challenges of whale watching is in the name itself: you're watching WHALES. Wild animals, who can travel 100 miles per day easy, who spend the majority of their lives underwater where we can't see them. Untrained, unpredictable, wild animals. This also happens to be the fun of whale watching. You're watching WHALES! Wild whales that are on their own schedule and doing their natural whale behaviors while you just look on in...

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T49C Surfacing

Transient Orcas North of San Juan Islands

(06/09/2017 - Kestrel 2pm Departure)

Today was one of those once in a lifetime experiences out on the water. We headed North West towards Swanson Channel where there were reports of a large group of transient orcas.  On our way to look for the orcas we stopped to see some of their favorite food, harbor seals!  We looked at those adorable rock sausages for a bit and then ventured on.  We got into the area where the orcas were located and saw them moving rather erratically.  They were...

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Happy World Oceans Day! We Celebrated with Orcas and Humpbacks

Lauren Fritz, San Juan Safaris, M/V Sea Lion, 6/8/17, 1pm Tour

Did you know today is World Oceans Day? What better way to celebrate than a whale and wildlife tour with San Juan Safaris! M/V Sea Lion was off the dock today at 1 pm and facing some wet and sloshy weather. Luckily, we're well-equipped out here - we've got rain slickers, snuggly blankets, and a toasty cabin to retreat to when the going gets too wet! Days like these are an adventure, and we soaked up way more than just...

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Orca Breaches

It's time to celebrate! Orca Awareness Month in Washington State

Southern Resident Killer Whale surfacing Sarah McCullagh

It’s the most magical month of the year! It’s Orca Awareness Month! At San Juan Safaris we believe that every month is Orca Awareness Month, but since 2006 Washington State has officially recognized our Southern Resident Killer Whales in the month of June.

The month-long, now multi-state and international, celebration was...

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Humpback & Transient Killer Whales near San Juan Island

[06/07/2017 – M/V Kestrel – 2:00pm]

 

Today’s M/V Kestrel trip was arguably one of my favorites of the season so far. We had an amazing time with two species of cetaceans and the plentiful other wildlife of the Salish Sea. Leaving Friday Harbor we took a right, heading south, through San Juan Channel towards Cattle Pass to check out some seals and sea lions before continuing on into Haro Strait. The water was glassy and we had multiple reports of whales in the area.

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Heather the Humpback Whale

Humpbacks Galore in the Salish Sea!

[06/04/2017 - Sea Lion 12pm Departure]

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Humpback whales in our area have been buddying up like crazy this year! While usually a solitary species, where long periods of solo adventuring time isn't unheard of, humpbacks have been known to make temporary associations, or whale acquaintances, when it's convenient or helpful for them. 

In areas teeming with...

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Transients in the Strait of the Georgia

Today, M/V Kittiwake had the opportunity to spread its wings and fly! This was Kittiwake's inaugural trip this season, and I was so excited to be back on the water in one of San Juan Safari's flagship vessels. She's been with us since the beginning - so many wonderful whale sightings have happened on board this beauty. Today was no exception!

On our 2pm charter, we ventured north through San Juan Channel to explore the waters north of Patos Island in the Strait of Georgia. We heard...

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Notch Having a GREAT TIME!

A Beautiful Day with J-pod

Lauren Fritz, 6/1/17, M/V Sea Lion, 12 pm and 5:30 pm

I was happy as a clam this morning when I woke to reports that our J-pod friends were still hanging around the islands! Every day starts out a mystery, as it should. These wild animals can swim 100 miles in a day, so just because we saw them yesterday doesn't necessarily mean we will see them the next day. In fact, that's no indicator at all! We are at the mercy of these creatures and their travel patterns.

M/V Sea Lion had two...

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