June 24, 2025 – After leaving Friday Harbor we headed north on account of Biggs orcas southbound towards Satellite Channel. While we were in New Channel we heard the orcas continued south in Saanich Inlet and realized we were out of luck. We changed course for Java Rocks and Monarch Head. As we approached Java Rocks a report came in of a pair of active humpback whales north of East Pt, Saturna Island. It was humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” with her 8th calf born early 2025. Arriving on scene between East Pt and Pt Roberts “Big Mama” breached followed by repetitive breaches by the calf (approximately 30!). As the calf continued breaching into the distance we sailed back to Boiling Reef down to Bare Island. Fast sailing all the way down President Channel during sunset as we made tracks back to Friday Harbor. Epic trip!!
Eye of the humpback whale – 2025 calf of BCY0324 “Big Mama”
Totem pole on Brown Island
Bald eagle, San Juan Islands
Glassy calm seas
Double-crested cormorant
Java Rocks, Boundary Pass, near Saturna Island
Java Rocks, Boundary Pass, near Saturna Island
Monarch Head, Boundary Pass, Saturna Island
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” and her 2025 calf
2025 calf of BCY0324 “Big Mama” tail lobbing
Humpback Whale “Big Mama” beaching
Humpback Whale “Big Mama” beaching
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” Breaching
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” lunging
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” doing half breach back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” doing half breach back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” chin in air
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” doing half breach back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” doing half breach back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” doing half breach breaching
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama”
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” lunging
Right dorsal of 2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama”
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” half breaching
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” half breaching
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” half breaching
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” half breaching
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” chin slapping
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” chin slapping
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” chin slapping
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” chin slapping
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” half breaching back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” half breaching back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” breaching
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama”
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” chin slapping
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” swinging flippers
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” chin slapping
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” back flip
Humpback whale feeding
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” back flip
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” back flip
Hazy sky before sundown
Fast close-hauled sail after leaving the humpbacks
Bare and Skipjack Islands
Mt Baker
Turtleback Mountain, Orcas Island
View from President Channel north of Orcas Island
Sunset with the Cactus Islands and Stuart Island
Sunset sail back to Friday Harbor
Sunset over Sentinel and Spieden Islands
Clouds over San Juan Island after sunset
Route map 6/24/25 pm