September 29, 2023 – Sunshine with a nice breeze allowed us to set sail immediately with a fast close hauled sail over to Shaw Island. We tacked back towards San Juan Island when I realized Barbara and Skye were on the inter-island ferry. The next tack brought us into Parks Bay for a change into serene, beautiful conditions and scenery in the protected forested bay. While sailing back into San Juan channel I received a report of humpback whale passing Friday Harbor, the first humpback to take San Juan Channel that we know of in some months. We identified the humpback whale as BCX0519 “Stitch”. Catching up with the traveling fluking whale before Turn Rock we had wonderful views. Conditions were perfect for sailing alongside from a beam reach to wing on wing downwind while hearing the blows and seeing the flukes before the deep dives. Winds were strong enough that we went to first reef and a fast close hauled sail back to the calm waters in Hicks Bay followed by a fast sail back to Friday Harbor. A lovely sail with a whale day.
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” southbound from Friday Harbor
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” southbound San Juan Channel
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” passing Turn Island
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” dorsal fin left side
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” passing Turn Island
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” passing Turn Island
Sailing whale watching from Friday Harbor, San Juan Island
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” exhaling
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” surfacing
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” exhaling
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” surfacing
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” right side dorsal fin
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” with a colorful blow
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” top side of tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” top side of tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX0519 “Stitch” tail flukes
Currents joining
Harbor seal
Private charter for a special family sail
Route map 9/29/23