Olivia Esqueda | March 21st, 2026 | M/V Sea Lion | 12:30pm
Today was sincerely such a fun trip circumnavigating San Juan Island, and my first of the season with Captain Brian. We headed south through San Juan Channel, towards Cattle Point Lighthouse where a Bald Eagle was perched proudly at the top. Heading west around Salmon Bank, we came across not one, but TWO Humpback Whales! Identified as BCX1068 (migrating up from Mexico) and BCX1800 (migrating up from Hawaii). It was a gift to not only see them so early in the season, but to see two (from different breeding grounds) foraging together when we most commonly see solitary Humpback Whales in these summer feeding grounds.
After beautiful looks that included tail flukes, conversations about barnacles, and Surf Scoters flying by, we headed further southwest around Middle Bank and came across a matriline of Bigg’s Killer Whales (aka Transient Orcas that feed on marine mammals). This family, known as the T060’s, is a family we see often here in the Salish Sea and consists of:
T060 Panthera, female born in 1980 [mom/matriarch]
T060C Yelnats, male born in 2001
T060F Tigris, female born in 2012
T060G Uncia, female born in 2019
Her two sons, often referred to as “The Brothers” T060D [Onca, male born in 2004] and T060E [Lynx, male born in 2008] often travel outside of the family group and were not with them today. We experienced phenomenal looks at these apex predators as they traveled slowly up the west side Haro Strait in Canadian waters before we peeled off north in search of other wildlife.
We were able to take a quick stop at Spieden Island and discuss its interesting history and how the Mouflon Sheep, Fallow Deer, and Sika Deer came to live here. Additionally, we saw Bald Eagles, Harlequin Ducks, and Steller’s Sea Lions thermoregulating at Green Point. This trip felt more like a “summer” trip with how spoiled we were with wildlife in the area and we are forever grateful to see how the wildlife transitions and settles in between every season, just as we do.
Wanting to see more photos from our trips? Visit our SmugMug page at: https://sanjuansafaris.smugmug.com/
More information about the Pacific Whale Watch Association: https://www.pacificwhalewatchassociation.com/