June 17, 2025 – With news of Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s milling near the top of San Juan Island we scooted our sail a little earlier. The orcas began traveling down San Juan Channel so we took our time sailing north. We met the eight orcas at Pt Caution and spun around to watch them travelling quickly down the shoreline passing Friday Harbor. Gorgeous views as they charged through the waves with exhales blowing in the wind. Winds were nice for sailing so we continued south with some distant views as we made our way down the channel. We rejoined the orcas in Cattle Pass and stayed with them to Salmon Bank where the Olympic Mountains gave way to a magnificent backdrop. Earlier there had been a minke whale on Salmon Bank, but we couldn’t locate it. Perhaps it moved on knowing the orcas were headed its direction. Later on we heard a minke whale was chased on Hein Bank, but the orcas stopped chasing and began breaching after the excitement. Upon our return we stopped by Whale Rocks to see the Steller sea lions. Passed by Deadman Island and found many black oystercatchers making a raucous with lots of vocals and a couple bald eagles watching from the Lopez Island coast. Harbor seals were hauled out basking in the sunshine.
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s passing Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s passing Pt Caution
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s along San Juan Island coastline
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s along San Juan Island coastline
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s along San Juan Island coastline
Orca spy hop
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s along San Juan Island coastline
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s along San Juan Island coastline
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s along San Juan Island coastline
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s passing Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s passing Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s passing Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s passing Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s passing Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s passing Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s passing Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s south of Friday Harbor
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s passing Turn Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s passing Turn Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s passing Turn Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s and T75B’s passing Turn Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s south from Turn Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s south from Turn Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s south from Turn Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s & T75B’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s & T75B’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s & T75B’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s & T75B’s
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s & T75B’s passing Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s & T75B’s passing Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s & T75B’s headed towards Salmon Bank
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s & T75B’s headed towards Salmon Bank
Biggs/Transient orcas T65B’s & T75B’s with Olympic Mountains
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands
Steller sea lions about to jump into the water
Steller sea lion with Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Brandts cormorants, Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands
Brandts cormorants, Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands
Steller sea lion at Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands
Passengers and Capt David loving the sailing
Harbor seals by Deadman Island
Belted kingfisher
Black oystercatcher by Deadman Island
Harbor seals by Shark Reef
Sailing around Turn Island
Sailing around Turn Island
Pigeon guillemot with a bite to eat
Route map 6/17/25