Haleigh | M/V Kestrel | July 31, 2021 | 10:00am
 

Being one of the first vessels out on the water is an incredible feeling. We began our Saturday morning trip searching through the quiet islands. The water around us was still glassy and the last of the lingering fog was lifting up towards the tips of the islands. Being one of the first boats on the water meant we were actively scanning to discover wildlife tucked in the channels.

We moved interisland, wrapping around the east side...

Jordan | M/V Osprey | 07/30/2021 5:30pm

Captain Gabe, Olivia, Maxx and I headed out of Friday Harbor filled with optimistic hopes of finding wildlife!

Quickly after we left Friday Harbor, we were happily surprised to find orcas near Lopez Island! We watched as one of my favorite pods, the T65As cruised along the shoreline in search of any prey. The large male, Ooxjaa, swam a bit further out from his family out in the middle of the channel. His huge dorsal fin impressed many on...

Haleigh | M/V Kestrel | July 29, 2021 | 2:00pm

I feel grateful for every day I spend on the water. On certain trips like today, it makes me think we all had some good karma in our favor. Calm waters and sunny weather made for an enjoyable departure headed inter-island. Passing through Orcas Island and Lopez Island, Mount Baker revealed itself for the most picturesque PNW image. We rounded through Peavine Pass, turning north towards Pea Pod Rocks. Lumped around the edges like a pack...

Jordan | M/V Osprey | 07/23/2021 12:30pm

What a fantastic day!

Captain Gabe, Naturalist Alexandria, Olivia and I jumped on Osprey and headed out towards adventure.

We were incredibly lucky as we rounded the corner and found whales immediately outside of Friday Harbor! Everyone got so excited as these six beautiful orca whales cruised down the San Juan Channel. As we admired their wild grace, they led us through Upright Channel above Lopez Island. We watched as they searched the...

Haleigh | M/V Sea Lion | July 20, 2021 | 2:00pm

For our afternoon Classic whale watching trip, the boat full of excited passengers was just the beginning to a great day! We headed inter-island to follow a report of some Bigg’s Killer Whales in Rosario Strait. Bigg’s Killer Whales are a marine mammal-eating ecotype found in the Salish Sea. They primarily feed on Harbor Seals, though will also hunt Harbor Porpoise, sea lions, and the occasional baleen whale calf. Due to the abundance...

Jordan | M/V Osprey | 07/15/2021 5:30pm

This was one of the most Orca-tastic days ever!!

Captain Gabe, the crew and I headed out of Friday Harbor, towards Lopez Island and essentially found orca whales immediately!

A large group of at least 3 socializing transient killer whale pods led us up the channel, through the islands and up into East Sound of Orcas Island. Throughout this time, the group of Orcas separated, and we followed part of the group further into the harbor.

We...

Maxx K. | M/V Osprey | 07/07/2021 | 5:30pm

    Today’s sunset tour started like they often do: Osprey left Friday harbor in search of whales, following up on rumors of whales nearby. I was not prepared however for just how spectacular the trip would end up being. 

Rumors of killer whales led us north, through the San Juan Channel and into the Wasp Islands that separate the west coasts of Shaw and Orcas. Osprey then turned left into West Sound and towards the family of Bigg’s Killer...

Haleigh | M/V Osprey | June 26, 2021 | 5:30pm

The Salish Sea supports an abundant, diverse ecosystem full of lengthy kelp beds, speckled phytoplankton, small schooling fish, and our larger marine mammals! Using our knowledge of the environment, we can predict where certain animals will congregate or where they’ll be moving. Combining this knowledge, we are further directed by visual sightings reporting cetaceans or pinnipeds to the Pacific Whale Watch Association. By sharing...

Haleigh | M/V Osprey | June 24, 2021 | 5:30pm

I’ll likely say this throughout the summer -- sunsets are the absolute best time to be on the water. As we leave the dock and pass in and around the islands, everything around us is either sparkling or glowing. Tonight’s excursion lived up to the magic. 

Our beginning route led us eastbound on an inter-island expedition. We were following prior reports of a “T-Party” traveling through the San Juan Channel. Bigg’s Killer Whales are...

Maxx K. | M/V Kestrel | 06/16/2021 | 2:00pm

Today was yet again, another prime example of how unpredictable and serendipitous a whale watch can be out here on the Salish sea. Kestrel left Friday harbor heading north. We weaved between Jones Island and veering right to pass between Orcas and Waldron following reports of a humpback just north of Sucia island. 

We stopped only once to observe a shoal of harbor porpoises as they slowly circumnavigated us. After a few moments we continued...