Kelly | M/V Kestrel | July 30th, 2026 | 2pm
Absolutely perfect summer day here in the San Juan’s as we departed Friday harbor and pointed east across San Jaun Channel. Tracing the ferry route up Presidents Channel and deep interisland, eventually spilling into the Rosario Strait. We began to slow the boat as we approached Sinclair Island, noticing many dorsal fins in the distance! This was a group of 8 Killer whales identified as the T36’s and the T37a’s made up of:
- T036/Flapjack — female, born before 1970
- T036B/Tattertip — female, born in 1998
- T036B1/Bhotia — female, born in 2009
- T036B1A/Maple — female, born in 2025
- T036B2/Greenfelder — female, born in 2013
- T036B4/Auk — born in 2024
- T037A/Volker — female, born in 1994
- T037A2/Inky — male, born in 2009
We watched this large group make their way down the island’s coastline, hugging tight to shore. Breaking off into two distinct groups as they patrolled for tasty harbor seals. Suddenly the front group turned around to meet with the group behind, lots of quick movements and splashing at the surface in the process. It appeared that they had found something to eat! We always love the opportunity to see these apex predators in action. After our unforgettable encounter with the killer whales we were treated to a surprise bonus whale species, a lone gray whale! Very unusual time to see gray whales here in the Salish Sea- typically spotted in the spring and fall. For the grand finale, we made a pit stop at bull kelp forest just around the corner from Friday Harbor and were treated to looks at an ever so adorable sea otter.