Kelly | M/V Osprey| Monday, May 26th 2025 | 2pm

We took a left outside Friday harbor and were instantaneously treated to a look at a bald eagle sitting in the trees by Friday Harbor Labs. This area always seems to be a hotspot for these impressive raptors. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a nest close by, tucked away in the evergreens. We stopped for some quick looks at harbor seals lounging on the rocks next to Jones Island, always delighting us with there ever so elegant sausage bodies. 

Movi...

Olivia Ellman | M/V Kestrel | May 25th, 2025 | 2:00pm

Today’s 2pm Adventure Whale Watch headed out of Friday Harbor in search of whales under sunny skies. We began heading south in San Juan Channel, spotting harbor porpoises and a few harbor seals before making a quick stop at Goose Island to view cormorants and the Cattle Point Lighthouse. We continued south west through Cattle Pass towards the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and eventually saw a few other boats ahead of us among a group of Bigg’s...

Kelly | M/V Osprey| Sunday, May 25th 2025 | 12:30pm

The holiday weekend brought a full boat of guests aboard the M/V Osprey. We took a right out of Friday Harbor, made our way down San Juan Channel and eventually into the the Straight of Juan De Fuca. We had no time to waste, a group of 5 killer whales were spotted quite far from our current location. The drive out to orcas was absolutely gorgeous, clear skies, perfect weather and hardly any other boats around. Low hanging clouds hugged the...

Olivia Ellman | M/V Osprey | May 24th, 2025 | 12:30pm 

We had another amazing day on the water during our afternoon Classic Whale Watch! We began by heading north up San Juan Channel, and then followed the west coast of Orcas island. As we rounded the top of Orcas Island, Mt. Baker was the perfect backdrop as we made our approach to a group of Bigg’s Killer Whales! We could see four dorsal fins surfacing together, which turned out to be the T123s. T123A Stanley looked especially majestic as his...

Kelly | M/V Osprey | Sunday, May 18th 2025 | 12pm

My very first Adventure Tour of the year was filled with incredible wildlife encounters! We started the trip with a stop in Rocky Bay for some harbor seals. A rocky cluster hosted over 50 harbor seals, lounging on the rocks or swimming in the shallow water close by. Guests loved seeing the wide variety in coat patterns unique to the Salish Sea!

Next stop, killer whales! Only about a 5 minute cruise north, a group of killer whales identified as the...

Kelly | M/V Osprey | Saturday, May 17th 2025 | 12:30pm

Peak season is officially here! Whales are showing up all over the Salish Sea. We took a quick left out of Friday Harbor and motored up San Juan Channel to investigate a report of killer whales in Canadian water. On our route to Canada we slipped over the top of San Juan Island and into the Haro Straight. This bigger body of water gave us a few quick looks at some harbor porpoise, swiftly surfacing off our starboard side. 

Not long after...

Kelly | M/V Osprey | Monday, May 5th 2025 | 2pm

The harbor was heating up in the mid-day sun as we waited to depart on the M/V Osprey. I Certainty appreciated the the cool breeze as we picked up speed and headed north up San Juan Channel. Without wasting any time we b-lined it to a reported location of 11 Bigg's killer whales. We met up with these whales in Boundary Pass, just south of the Canadian border. This group was made up of multiple families including:

T65B's

• T65B Chunk 1993 F
• T65B1 Birdsall...

Kelly | M/V Osprey | April 23rd, 2025 | 2pm

The gorgeous spring weather had everyone in a wonderful mood as we left Friday Harbor and took a left up San Juan Channel.  A quick stop at Sentinel Rock gave us wonderful looks at Harbor Seals, taking full advantage of the real estate that low tide provides. We continued west, quickly crossing over the border and entering Canadian water. Blows in the distance! A group of 8 killer whales were ahead, hugging the coast of Brethour Island. These whales...

Kelly | M/V Osprey | April 19th, 2025 | 12:30pm

The sun began to peak out from behind the clouds just as we turned left out of Friday Harbor. Heading up San Juan Channel, past Flattop Island and into Boundary Pass we investigated a humpback whale report. After a moment of searching in the general area, the whale appeared! A small slinky humpback came up for a breath. His pattern was to come up for a couple quick breaths and then down on a long dive. These dives ranged from 5 to 11 minutes. One...

Kelly | M/V Sea Lion | April 4th, 2025 | 12:30pm

Spring is here! The weather was absolutely perfect as we left Friday Harbor and turned left down San Juan Channel. As we made our way through Cattle Pass (the narrow passage between San Juan and Lopez Island) we admired the various wildlife around us. This area is extremely productive due to a process known as upwelling. Upwelling occurs when you have an uneven sea floor mixed with a strong current/tidal exchange. This creates a ramp effect...