Kelly | M/V Osprey | July 17th, 2026 | 12:30 pm
The overcast sky cleared as we departed Friday Harbor and took a left into San Juan Channel. Cruising up the channel we were treated to scenic looks at Turtleback mountain on Orcas island. Our first stop of the tour being a harbor seal hotspot known as White Rock. We watched as this cluster of seals clung to the rocky shoreline on the left side of the formation. So many newborn pups visible next to mom! We next slipped over the border into Canada, and quickly began to spot exhales in the distance! A group of 9 orcas identified at the T100s and T109a's:
- T100/Hutchins — female, born around 1979
- T100C/Laurel — male, born in 2002
- T100F/Estrella — born in 2014
- T109A/Frio/Runaway — female, born in 1990
- T109A4/Garrett— male, born in 2012
- T109A5/Argyle — born in 2014
- T109A6/Riley — female, born in 2018
- T109A7/Wieland — male, born in 2021
- T109A8/Weiss — born in 2025
We watched these orcas make their way down the Saturna Islands coastline. Some quick tail flicks and lunging at the surface occurred just at we arrived on scene! These orcas are very rarely surface active so its always exciting to see more than just a dorsal fin at the above the water! The clear standouts of this group being the two large males: T109A4/Garrett & T100C/Laurel with their massive 6ft dorsal fins, and of course the youngest: T109A8/Weiss, that little body springing up out of the water with every surface. Just before departing, we watched these groups split off into their respective matrilines.