Welcome to the Whale Report Blog

Last evening we headed towards the southern tip of San Juan where Cattle Point Lighthouse is located. This is our last week of sunset tours and I'm really going to miss the way that lighthouse looks against a setting sun. That thought was interrupted when we spotted Stellar Sea Lions showing off their large bodies on Whale Rocks. These sea lions can weigh up to 2200 lbs! We continued up the west side of San Juan where we encountered the L-pod around False Bay. The whales were widely spread out...

It has been said by the locals that this is the largest run of Sockeye Salmon we've EVER had (at least in a lifetime). Everywhere you looked off the west side today, there were purseiners, fish jumping and orcas feeding. Fat and happy whales, they lolled about slowly, on long dives, taking their time, scooping up all of the salmon that would fit in their conically toothed mouths. Some of them must be eating for two. We can't see when an orca is gestating because they have a large...

What a great show we got from the transient Orcas today! It's not everyday that we get to see these whales since they visit our area less frequently than the resident Orcas. The transient orcas dine on marine mammals like the harbor seals, harbor and dalls porpoise, sea lions and minke whales. Today they exhibited their hunting skills as we watched them circle a small island where harbor seals were hauled out. One female came very close to the island got right next to the seals and...

Some days defy description.  They so far exceed one's expectations or beliefs that they become entrenched in the realm of fantasy.  I had the distinct honor of witnessing one of those days today.  As part of the crew of the M/V Sea Lion I got to assist a guest in surprising his girlfriend with a marriage proposal and then we watched the most amazing orca display that I have ever seen.  There were dozens of killer whales traveling through a series of passages where we rarely, if...

This summer I really can't get orcas off my mind.  We have had whale sightings pretty much every day.  I even dream about orcas!  It must mean something when your dreams reflect reality.  Life is good.  Especially on a sunny day in the San Juans.  Today we encountered the orcas on the north end of San Juan traveling towards Turn Point on Stuart Island.  They were side by side in a large group of at least ten. Casey and I identified L54 and her calf L108.  We also caught glimpses of...

Victoria, B.C. with orca and ship. Photo courtesy of Jeanne Hyde

What is the measure of a whale watching adventure?  Well, today it was distance.  Capt. Mike decided that our options were to go big or stay home and staying home was not actually an option.  So, venturing further than prudence dictates, we sought out the orcas beyond the visible limits of San Juan Island.  Beyond even the limits of Victoria, B.C.

The water was calm and the sun was shining and lucky us we were...

I know a fellow naturalist named JB, short for John Boyd, who likes to tease his niece; also an avid whale watch fan and naturalist. After a big day he says to her, "You should have been there." It's a way of saying, 'Boy did you ever miss out." And today was one of those days. I work 45 hours a week with about 26 of those on the boat, and this was by far the most amazing trip I've had in a month. There was a group of about 60 orcas, tightly knit, dorsal fin after dorsal fin...

[caption id="attachment_1415" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="MV Kittiwake with Breaching Whale by Ernie Westle"]

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The Kittiwake is our 32 foot boat. It is a plain boat, named after a plain seabird in the gull family. Accordingly, its values are often underestimated. The Kittiwake is my favorite boat because of its intimate atmosphere; we only book 13 people at a time. It is also our 'adults only' boat, so one is assured a peaceful ride. Despite the absence...

Yesterdays afternoon trip saw a little seen baleen whale - a minke. There are only about 18 minke whales in and around the islands. Our guests got very good looks at this whale in the afternoon both from the MV Sea Lion and the smaller MV Kittiwake.

Last evening on the 5;30 tour the resident orca whales were back in range and Captain Craig said they saw lots and lots of whales.  He thought possibly all 90 of them - not just in one spot of course.

This afternoon boat boats are again...

When is a baby orca not a baby?  When it has not been seen by the Center For Whale Research, that is when.  They are the research body officially in charge of monitoring the population of the Southern Resident Killer Whales that are found in the Pacific Northwest.  They maintain the matriarchal family trees and the population numbering system.  They are also the group that makes the official announcement when an individual dies or a new calf is born.  Today we are hoping it is the...