Welcome to the Whale Report Blog

8/4/2022 MV Sea Lion 2pm Helena There are two ecotypes of killer whales found here in the Salish Sea. These include our Southern resident killer whale population and the Bigg’s (formally known as transient) killer whale population. These two groups vary widely in a variety of aspects including...Read more

Kelly | M/V Osprey | 8/1/22 | 12:30 It was a picture-perfect summer day as we left Friday harbor and headed north in San Juan Channel. After quickly cruising up the channel, we stopped at Flattop Island. This island was bustling with wildlife! Multiple bald eagles soared over head as harbor seals...Read more

Haleigh | M/V Osprey | July 31, 2022 | 12:30pm As we headed off the dock on a beautiful warm day, we received an early report of Bigg’s Orca Whales… but they were running away from us. The T37A’s were making a run for it out the Strait of Juan de fuca, towards the open ocean. The only question was...Read more

Elle | M/V Osprey | 7/29/2022 | 5:30 PM This evening was full of baleen whales here in the Salish Sea! After travelling south past Cattle Point Lighthouse we settled our boat in shallow waters at the top of Salmon Bank. We were surrounded by birds at the surface, hunting the smaller fish below, in...Read more

7/29/22 MV Kestrel Helena 2pm Our crew signed up for the adventure tour and oh boy did we get one! We began our day by heading south down San Juan Channel following reports from other vessels already out on the water. No whales in the Salish Sea are tagged and all reports of wildlife are publicly...Read more

Elle | M/V Osprey | 7/29/2022 | 12:30 PM Today was a lucky day! Just about 15 minutes after leaving Friday Harbor and heading north, we encountered a group of Bigg’s killer whales, and turned around to accompany them south. We spent some time watching this majestic family, the T37As travelling...Read more

7/29/22 MV Kestrel Helena 10am Our morning adventure tour on MV Kestrel left the sunny harbor eager for all the Salish Sea has to offer. As we are one of the first boats on the water each morning, our main focus is scanning broadly, making sure to not miss any blows or dorsal fins along shorelines...Read more

Elle | M/V Kestrel | 7/27/2022 | 2:00 PM After departing from Friday Harbor we headed south in San Juan Channel. Near Cattle Point Lighthouse, we entered some choppy water, produced by fast currents mixing together, as well as wind. Above the waves, we saw a fifteen-foot puff of air: an exhalation...Read more