Olivia Esqueda | June 24th, 2026 | M/V Kestrel | 2:00pm
Today’s Adventure Tour spoiled us despite the distance; we had calm seas and even a warm wind hitting our faces! Heading north through San Juan Channel, we passed heaps of Harbor Porpoise-literally everywhere! We consistently saw these small cetaceans our entire route up through Canada. Dipping through Navy Channel, we eventually threaded the needle in Georgeson Pass and entered the Strait of Georgia. Looking directly at Vancouver, B.C, we continued even further north into the gulf!
All the distance was worth it when we came across one of our favorite matrilines of Bigg’s Killer Whales- the T123’s! This family has been hanging around a lot lately in all corners of the Saish Sea, which has been such a gift to all of us. We had amazing views as they zig zagged their way north, dividing up, and coming back together. T123A must have been scouting because his sisters and mom went full speed back to him where they all decided it was time to have a Harbor Porpoise snack. After epic behaviors hunting at the surface, we even saw lungs floating by!
Eventually these whales carried on further north and it was our time to head back south towards Friday Harbor. Weaving a different way home through Active Pass and down Swanson Channel, we stopped at Turn Point Lighthouse once we finally entered back into U.S waters. This four-hour trip was worth all the time and distance, AND the change of cold wind on the way home. Every day spent with whales is a day whale spent!
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/