Welcome to the Whale Report Blog

Haleigh | M/V Kestrel | August 09, 2021 | 2:00pm

For our afternoon adventure tour, we departed from Friday Harbor ready to find some wildlife and enjoy the beautiful day! We traveled inter island in pursuit of a reported group of killer whales traveling in Rosario strait. The calm, glassy waters reflected the puffy white clouds overhead, providing perfect conditions for sighting animals.

By the time we reached Rosario Strait, a reported group of Bigg’s Killer Whales was just north of us further...

Haleigh | M/V Kestrel | August 09, 2021 | 10:00am

There are few days that begin like today. We left the harbor, excited and ready to search for wildlife around the islands. Being one of the first boats out on the water, we were in search mode. However, not long after we departed a report came in for some killer whales around our waters. We rerouted to follow along with that note. Sure enough, we found our first big wildlife of the day!

There were 4 Bigg’s Killer Whales traveling...

Abby | M/V Sea Lion | 8/7/2021

Captain Pete and I pushed off the dock, sun beaming through the morning clouds and drizzle that covered the island. Moving through the mist that morning was like moving through the breath of a whale on a foggy fall day, a glimpse of what was to come.

We headed north through San Juan Channel, past Yellow Island, and rounded the corner by Orcas Island to see exhales dot the surface, close to the rocky shoreline. We had three teenagers off our bow:

• Jude...

Haleigh | M/V Osprey | August 04, 2021 | 5:30pm

Each departure from the harbor, we set out to find as much wildlife as we can! We are in communication with other whale watchers and vessels on the water to ensure we can each create some of the best experiences the Salish sea has to offer. Though it can sometimes be a gamble choosing certain paths, our sunset trip did not disappoint! 

We decided to head north through San Juan channel in pursuit of some large black and white animals...

Laura | M/V Osprey | 8/3/2021 | 5:30PM

Today was one of the best humpback encounters I have experienced in quite a while!   We left the dock headed northbound through San Juan Channel and it was only about 10 minutes before we spotted some blows!  A young boy named Oliver looked close to the shoreline and exclaimed to naturalist Haleigh that he just spotted a blow!  Our Captain Gabe instantly slowed the boat down and we patiently awaited our next leviathan sighting!  On the next...

Jordan | M/V Osprey | 08/03/2021 5:30pm

What a beautiful day out on the water!

Naturalist Laura, Haleigh and I headed out of the harbor and headed north through San Juan Channel. We looked and looked for any signs of blows or fins when all of a sudden we hear guests shouting "blow!!" We look towards shore and sure enough there was a whale!

We slowly approached and watched as the massive whale surfaced. It was a Humpback Whale! Then, suddenly a second blow surfaced right next to the...

Jordan | M/V Sea Lion | 07/31/2021 2:00pm

Today was the first cloudy day in weeks. But instead of being dreary, it made the surrounding landscape appear even more mystical and mysterious. Captain Pete and I left Friday Harbor in hopes of finding something near Canada, so we headed north.

We cruised through the San Juan Channel and up President’s Channel as we passed Waldron. As we emerged into Boundary, we spotted Canada and admired her elusive beauty from a distance.

Stopping by...

Haleigh | M/V Kestrel | July 31, 2021 | 2:00pm

We started our Saturday afternoon trip moving north through the San Juan Channel. We reached a small island called Skipjack to find two dozen harbor seals hauled out along the shoreline! Some of them were playing in the kelp beds while most lay in a banana-shape pose, head and tail pulled up towards the sky. We rounded this tiny island and continued north in search of more wildlife! 

Earlier reports of Bigg’s Killer Whales near the...

Haleigh | M/V Kestrel | July 31, 2021 | 10:00am
 

Being one of the first vessels out on the water is an incredible feeling. We began our Saturday morning trip searching through the quiet islands. The water around us was still glassy and the last of the lingering fog was lifting up towards the tips of the islands. Being one of the first boats on the water meant we were actively scanning to discover wildlife tucked in the channels.

We moved interisland, wrapping around the east side...

Jordan | M/V Osprey | 07/30/2021 5:30pm

Captain Gabe, Olivia, Maxx and I headed out of Friday Harbor filled with optimistic hopes of finding wildlife!

Quickly after we left Friday Harbor, we were happily surprised to find orcas near Lopez Island! We watched as one of my favorite pods, the T65As cruised along the shoreline in search of any prey. The large male, Ooxjaa, swam a bit further out from his family out in the middle of the channel. His huge dorsal fin impressed many on...