Welcome to the Whale Report Blog

Kelly | M/V Osprey | April 15th, 2026 | 1:30pm The weather was moody as we exited Friday Harbor and took a left into San Juan Channel. Depending on which direction you looked the sky varied from overcast, heavy rain and bright sunshine. We slipped over the top of San Juan Island and very quickly slowed our speed as we approached a pair of killer whales from a half mile. These whales were identified as: T65 Whidbey II (before) 1968 F T63 Chainsaw 1978 M This mother and son duo had just departed...

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...

Abby | M/V Osprey | April 8th, 2026 | 1:30pm

Another beautiful day on San Juan Island! Today we had a report of Bigg’s Killer Whales before we even left the dock. Luckily, they were staying in the same general area, so as we left the harbor we headed south towards Cattle Point. When we took the first turn out of the harbor we were greeted with a pair of Steller’s Sea Lions swimming. Wildlife can be found in so many places out here and we never know what we are going to find! We kept heading south...

Abby | M/V Osprey | April 6th, 2026 | 1:30pm

We departed Friday Harbor and traveled along the ferry route towards the eastern side of Orcas Island. As we rounded the southeastern point of Orcas Island, we saw a number of Steller’s Sea Lions swimming off the shore. The waters were so clear and calm that we had incredible looks at their big brown bodies below the water’s surface. Not far away was a report of 18 Bigg’s Killer Whales! When this many individuals are together, we call it a T-Party. The...

Abby | M/V Kestrel | April 5th, 2026 | 2pm

The first M/V Kestrel trip of the season kicked off with sunny skies and beautiful waters. We traveled south in San Juan Channel and made our way towards Cattle Point, the southernmost point on San Juan Island. Our first stop was to Whale Rocks, where Steller’s Sea Lions haul out. Hold your breath, because unfortunately we were downwind and caught some striking sniffs of their stench. We also couldn’t help hearing their barking sounds as they...

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...