Orcas T18’s near Clark Island

August 4, 2020 – Our day started out with plans to head south on the ebb to look for minke whales. However, as we were approaching Shark Reef a report came in of a family of orcas known as the T18’s southbound from Clements Reef by Sucia. After debating for a few minutes we made a decision to come about and head inter-island with the hopes to see the orcas.

We hugged the shoreline of Upright Head checking out the bald eagles nest along the way before making our way out through Peavine Pass. Harbor seals were hauled out warming up in the sunshine on the Pea Pod Rocks. Sailed in close to Orcas Island near Lawrence Pt to view the steep cliff face covered in a beautiful forest. We found a bald eagle eating a snack with others up in the trees and harbor seals resting on the rocks.

Awhile earlier the orcas had stopped traveling south and were milling on near the westside of Barnes Island for about an hour. When we arrived at The Sisters the orcas had began circling the rocks where harbor seals were hauled out. After some milling they started traveling easterly and then north back up Rosario Strait. We had some awesome views of the orcas with Mt Baker behind them. Unfortunately, the orcas were heading the wrong direction for us as we needed to go south so we said good bye to the orcas and headed over to come down between Barnes and Clark Islands. The strong flood current was against us so we hugged the Orcas shoreline to find the back eddies.

We came through Obstruction Pass and back to Upright Head to hug the north coast of Lopez Island to Flat Point before crossing San Juan Channel back to Friday Harbor.