Kelly | M/V Kestrel | August 14h, 2026 | 2pm
We left Friday Harbor and wasted no time pointing north into Canadian water. We weaved through the scenic Canadian Gulf Islands, eventually emerging from Georgenson Pass into the larger body of water known as the Strait of Georgia. Suddenly, a large smokestack exhale appeared in the distance. A humpback whale identified as BCX1377 aka “Nike”. We were treated to incredible looks at this humpback as it remained on a consistent dive pattern, showing off its gorgeous tail fluke before embarking on longer deeper dives. Just less than a mile away from Nike, a group of killer whales was found! A family known as the T35a’s made up of:
- T035A/Lester — female, born in 1998
- T035A1/Opal — female, born in 2010
- T035A1A* — born in 2026
- T035A2/Topaz —male, born in 2013
- T035A3/Garnet — born in 2018
- T035A4/Agate — female, born in 2022
- T035A5* — born in 2026
This family was quickly traveling south, functioning as our escorts back in the direction of Friday Harbor. They were sectioned off into two groups fairly spread out, the newborn orcas enthusiastically springing from the water with every surface! T35a2 a clear standout as the only sprouted male in the group. As we peeled off from the orcas and made our way south toward Friday Harbor, we saved time for one last stop at White Rock. This is perhaps the #1 harbor sea hotspot in the greater San Juan Islands and today was no exception! Dozens of harbor seals were peppered along the rocks, some with newborn pups at their side.