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Orcas in the Strait of Juan De Fuca! 06/09/18

Jordan| M/V Kestrel | 06/09/19 | 11:00

As we got everyone suited up, excitement filled the air. Eventually everyone headed down and met with Captain Gabe by the Kestrel and we headed out of Friday Harbor. We heard reports coming from Canadian waters so we sped down the San Juan Channel and towards Cattle Pass.

Here we stopped by a huge rock jutting out of the water where we spotted some Steller sealions! These 12 foot long and 2400 pound animals lumbered around and barked at each...

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Bigg's Killer Whales and Surprise Humpbacks in Haro Strait!

Piper | Saturday, June 8, 2019 | M/V Sea Lion | 5:30 PM

On this evening’s sunset whale watch we headed out of the marina to go north again, with a very different destination in mind compared to our afternoon trip; the same orcas we were watching by Jones Island were now in Cordova Bay off of Victoria, BC! So we cruised up San Juan Channel and into Spieden Channel to go over the top of San Juan Island and just as we were pointing down the Haro we spotted two humpback whales which were...

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Orca whale

Transient Orcas in the Haro Strait! 06/02/19

Jordan | M/V Sea Lion | 06/02/19 | 5:30pm

As the sun sank lower in the sky, Captain Pete and I took off out of Friday Harbor to start our sunset cruise adventure. We headed north through the San Juan Channel towards Speiden Channel.

Then we heard whispers on the whale watcher’s radio that there were orcas headed past Victoria, around the southern tip of Vancouver Island and up into the Haro Strait! They were swimming towards San Juan Island, so we all got really excited at the...

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Rare Gray Orca Whale Sighting in Canada! 06/01/19

Jordan | M/V Kestresl | 06/01/19 | 11:00am

Today was basically the most magical day. And no, I’m not being dramatic. It’s true. It started with our first trip leaving Friday Harbor at around 11:30am. And although it was a tad later than usual, it was definitely worth the wait!

Captain Gabe and I sped out of the harbor and headed north through the San Juan Channel up towards Speiden Island. Here we stopped to check out some floppy seals! There were a bunch of harbor seals close to the...

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Baby Humpback And Baby Orca 05/25/19

Jordan | May 25, 2019 | M/V Kestrel | 3:00 trip What a fantastic trip out in the San Juan Islands! Captain Gabe and I took the Kestrel and sped out to adventure with our wonderfully excited guests.   We headed north through the San Juan Channel and spotted something beautiful right away! Bald eagles! Two gorgeous birds were seen soaring then perching on a tree on Spieden Island! You could definitely tell these birds were a mated pair. And Bald eagles mate for life!   Then we saw tons...
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Going the Extra Mile to See Whales in the San Juan Islands! Orcas Spotted!

[Sarah | 04/29/2019 | M/V Sea Lion | 12:00pm]

Today was yet another spectacular day out on the water in the San Juan Islands. We had amazing weather for a super long trip to find killer whales, and it was worth every moment on the water! Captain Pete and I decided to head south out of Friday harbor and, boy, did it pay off!

We travelled south through San Juan Channel and Griffin Bay popping out of Cattle Pass into the wide expanse of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The sky was a bright...

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Amazing Day out on the Water with Fantastic Looks at the T123s!

Alexandria | Tuesday April 16, 2019 | 12:00 | M/V Sea Lion

What an absolutely amazing trip!  Today was quite the day!

When we hit the water this afternoon we were very excited to have two reports of orcas within our range.  The first was a bit up north and the second was south of us.  We decided to begin the trip by heading south and passing through the southern point of San Juan Island.

While we were heading south we were treated to some awesome views of eagles flying over us, as...

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J Pod heading North

Southern Resident Killer Whales Spotted in the Salish Sea

[Sarah | 03/23/2019 | M/V Sea Lion | 12:00pm]

Today was spectacular… there is no other way to put it. Oftentimes today the waters of the Salish Sea were so calm that the islands and tiny puffy clouds were reflected perfectly in the surface. It feels like spring all through the islands, with flowers sprouting and baby animals running around on the slope of Spieden Island. We left Friday Harbor with an early morning report of orcas spotted on the west side of San Juan Island and the...

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Steller Sea Lion

Winter Wildlife Wonderland: Wildlife Watching Trip from Friday Harbor

Erick | February 17, 2019 | M/V Sea Lion | 12:00

'Twas a gloriously bright and sunny winter day in the San Juan Islands. Capt. Mike and I set out with a small and cozy group of folks. We headed south through San Juan Channel until we reached Cattle Pass. Here, where San Juan Channel empties into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, currents swirl around many jagged and bird covered islets. The rocks here are a favorite place for Steller Sea Lions to hang out and sun.  Today there were around...

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Dog with San Juan Island Ferry

Dog Friendly Activities on San Juan Island

San Juan Island is not only an excellent place for people to visit, but it is great for your pooch too! From beaches to romp on to dog friendly patios, San Juan Island is a top destination for man’s best friend.

Cora, my three-year-old Australian Shephard, and I have been living and recreating on San Juan Island since she was a wee puppy. Read below for some of our favorite places to explore and relax on San Juan.

1. Walk at The Gravel Pit

While the name...

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