Logan Stecker | M/V Kestrel | August 3rd 2025 | 10:00 am

The morning searches were tough! This whole week it has been hard to find whales in the San Juans but today we succeeded! 

We started with a search North with little success. We did however enjoy time with many harbor porpoise and a seal north of Spieden Island. We then began a trip south alogn the West side of San Juan to follow new rumors of whales in the area.

Going deep in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, we found 5 whales who were later...

Olivia Ellman | M/V Kestrel | Thursday July 31st, 2025 | 2:00 pm

When the first sightings were reported for the day, I was not too surprised to hear that the T65Bs had been seen not too far from where we left them yesterday! It seems like this family enjoyed their time exploring the coast of Vancouver Island and continued all the way into the Saanich Inlet, so that was our destination when we left the dock. Captain Vaun and I had been to this inlet only once before, so we were excited to venture...

Kelly | M/V Kestrel | Friday, August 1st 2025 | 2 PM

Captain Sarah and I made our way north to investigate a whale report in Rosario Straight. We pointed north up San Juan Channel and into Presidents channel. Once at President channels northern mouth, we spotted the most pristine bald eagle sitting in a tree on Waldron Island. The stoic bird of prey was perfectly perched atop Waldron's most iconic tree, the one hanging over its most eastern point (local boaters know what I'm talkin bout!). We...

Lauren | M/V Kestrel | Wednesday, July 23rd 2025 | 2:00 PM

Today’s tour was not for the easily squeamish. Several Bigg’s Killer Whales were out and about and they were hungry! Getting the opportunity to witness a predation event on a whale watching tour is rare, but seeing two on the same trip is almost unheard of. The M/V Kestrel departed Friday Harbor and headed north in San Juan Channel. Our first stop was to White Rock to get a glimpse of some harbor seals. July is one of the most exciting...

Logan Stecker | M/V Kestrel | July 28th 2025 | 2:00 pm

Total we got to see most of the prey animals for transient killer whales in our area before getting to watch the whales themselves! 

It all started with a harbor seal floating around the dock before we left. This cutie was doing backflips and was even present at the dock when we returned.

Stop 1: Whale Rocks

We began our first wildlife viewing by observing many Steller’s Sea Lion on Whale Rocks. These giants were quite vocal to each other as...

Logan Stecker | M/V Kestrel | July 27th 2025 | 2:00 pm

This trip was quite a venture! We booked it all the way to Galiano Island to track down the only whales seen today in our area.

On scene we got thew chance to watch the T065Bs as they maneuvered along the shore and even approached and encircled a group of hauled our seal pups on a small offshore island. This group of Transient Killer Whales consists of a mother named Chunk and her 3 children. The origin of the mother’s name comes from a chuck...

Logan Stecker | M/V Kestrel | July 27th 2025 | 10:00 am

An exciting more of uncertain searching and beautiful calm waters. Every morning, we join in the lookout for whales along with other whale watching and research vessels.

Stop 1: White Rocks

Our first marine mammal friends we encountered were very cute seal pups along the shore of white rocks island. Their cute eyes glowed with fierce adorableness. The pupping season is currently happening with harbor seasons where via embryonic diapause the...

Olivia Ellman | M/V Kestrel | July 26th, 2025 | 10:00 AM

When we left the harbor this morning, we had no idea where our morning adventure would take us. With only a brief shore report of killer whales from hours earlier, we began heading north towards the Gulf Islands of Canada. We traveled up San Juan Channel, west through New Channel, and made our way all the way to Turn Point on Stuart Island. As we scanned the boundary waters, we heard from a nearby boat that they had found a humpback whale...

Logan Stecker | M/V Kestrel | July 21st 2025 | 2:00 pm

Today was a breathtaking and incredible day out on the water! Some of the luckiest moments I’ve experienced out here all in 3 hours.

With Humpbacks and Orcas in one outing it was already going to be a great trip… but with each encounter we got to witness interesting and inspiring behaviors that stood out among viewings.

With our Humpback friend, Monarch, we got to scene with only a little time before having to head south to find orcas that...

Logan Stecker | M/V Kestrel | July 20th 2025 | 2:00 pm

A great day exploring the San Juan Islands – today we unintentionally circumnavigated the main set of large islands! 

Stop 1: Spieden Island

Taking the North side of Spieden we found multiple bald eagles! These glorious birds have made a tremendous recovery after herbicide pollution (DDT) led to their endangered status in years past. Now they are doing well and, in this area, now they have the densest population in the lower 48 states at the...