Welcome to the Whale Report Blog

Olivia | M/V Kestrel | July 4th, 2021 | 14:00

We left the dock as quickly as possible today knowing that the Bigg’s Killer Whales we saw at the very end of our first trip were aiming for Canada. With Covid-19 restrictions still in place, this means we would be unable to view once they crossed that border. We aimed straight for Battleship Island, finding 13 orcas playing around together in U.S. waters. These families included the T034’s, T037’s, and T065A’s. 

These mammal-eating...

Olivia | M/V Kestrel | July 4th, 2021 | 10:00am

Setting out this holiday morning, we were one of the first vessels in the Pacific Whale Watch Association to leave the dock in search of whales and other wildlife. Making sure to scan as many bodies of water around the salish sea as we could, including inner waterways, our travels first took us to New Channel where the Cactus Islands sit. We immediately stumbled upon an amazing experience I have never witnessed before. Over a dozen...

Haleigh | M/V Osprey | July 3, 2021 | 5:30pm

On this evening’s classic sunset wildlife tour, we adventured southbound towards the junction of many channels. The Strait of Juan de Fuca, Haro Strait, Rosario Strait, and San Juan Channel are constantly intermixing waters rich with phytoplankton and bait fish. The churning at shallow banks makes for especially abundant feeding ground in the ecosystem that can be filled with wildlife. This was our destination for the evening.

As we...

Jordan | M/V Kestrel | 07/03/2021 2:00pm

Captain Erick and I had a beautiful day travelling around the Salish Sea. The sunny day brought high energy to all the guests and I as we hopped on the Kestrel and headed north through the San Juan Channel.

We passed along the west coast of Orcas Island enjoying the cliffsides when all of a sudden, we spot a bald eagle sitting high in the tree tops. As we inched closer, we saw it was a juvenile bald eagle covered in brown with white speckles...

Maxx K. | M/V Osprey | 07/02/2021 | 5:30pm

Osprey slowly turned southbound out of Friday Harbor as the sun set behind San Juan Island off our stern. We motored down the San Juan Channel and eventually stopped at the Whale Rocks off cattle point. Harbor seals seemed to cuddle with one another just above the water’s edge, maintaining that quintessential banana shaped posture as they balanced against the incoming swell. Steller sea lions rested just behind them, their robust beige...

Jordan | M/V Sea Lion | 07/02/2021 2:00pm

We got so lucky today!

 Captain Pete and I headed out of Friday Harbor and found whales in only a few minutes! This is an incredibly rare occurrence, so we were feeling really excited.

As we slowly approached the scene, we identified the whales as the two brothers: T77C and T77D also known as Neftali and Alcyon! We found then near Lopez Island and they led as all along the coastline down the San Juan Channel. They were cruising along, looking...

Maxx K. | M/V Sea Lion | 07/01/2021 | 2:00 

    It was a gorgeous afternoon on the water today, a perfect 70 degrees and calm as could be as we left Friday harbor with a boatful of excited guests. We turned northward, heading up and through the San Juan channel following rumors of whales approaching Waldron Island. We passed Jones Island and Orcas on our journey, weaving between the islands as they slowly began to rise further out of the water with the outgoing tide. 

    From...

M/V Kestrel | Thursday, July 1st | Naturalist Alexandria 

We had a great day today on MV Kestrel! Captain Eric and myself loaded on our wonderful guests, and headed out into a San Juan Channel. We were excited to hear rumors I’ve orcas a bit  north east of us. As we headed out we made a left into San Juan Channel and the adventure began! 

We kept our eyes out for eagles and harbor seals, and we are fortunate enough even to find an eagle nest to show everybody how long with you...

Haleigh | M/V Sea Lion | June 28, 2021 | 2:00pm

Given today was one of the hottest days on San Juan Island, our boat full of passengers stoked to be on the water. The cool breeze hit us as we left Friday Harbor and the chill set in as we traveled southbound through San Juan Channel, passing harbor porpoise along the way. Entering the Strait of Juan de Fuca felt like an entirely new land. It was more than 30 degrees cooler and the hazy sky blurred all of the distinguishing features...

What a day today’s trip turned out to be! As we left Friday Harbor there was no doubt about it- it was a hot summer day!  Today was one of those days that had made history for how hot it was, but little did we know that we would be making history for more than just that today!

Captain Pete had been working with other captains on the water to see if there were any reports of whales in our vicinity.  It was sounding like there were some southeast of us, but pretty far away… we decided...