Sailing to Mandarte and around Stuart Island

August 22, 2023 – With news of Biggs/Transient orcas (T18 and grandson, T19C) exiting Satellite Channel eastbound we decided to go Northwest today with the hopes of intercepting them. We moved quite quickly, as did they, and we hoped that they would stop to do some hunting at the rocks near Gooch, Mandarte, Halibut or D’arcy Islands. Unfortunately, they kept traveling very quickly at a speed of roughly 8 knots southbound towards Haro Strait. As we reach Henry Island and began our crossing the sea conditions and wind had picked up and were on the sloppy side. Much spray was coming over the bow exciting a few of the young passengers on board, but no matter how we pushed on, we were not closing the mile gap between us. Again we hoped they’d veer towards Kelp Reef for hunting, but again they didn’t stop, but pressed on at speed down to Discovery Island. So, we came about and headed north in calmer seas to sail through the islands and check out Mandarte Island and the breeding cormorant colony. Other orcas had been southbound in Plumper Sound so we decided to go on the north side of Stuart Island in the event they came west or south. But, unfortunately, these orcas made a hard right going east at 7 knots. We continued on enjoying the sights and wildlife taking Johns Pass into New Channel and then crossed to Flattop National Wildlife Refuge. Cut through the Wasp Islands before crossing the channel back to Friday Harbor.