June 25, 2025 – After leaving Friday Harbor we debated whether to go north or south. We sailed across toward Shaw Island and began to head south when a report came in of a pair of humpback whales south of Flattop Island. We came about and made tracks north passing through the Wasp Islands. Hearing that they were heading northeast up President Channel we kept up our pace with the hopes to catch up with them. Hugging the shoreline of Orcas Island we enjoyed some stunning scenery while keeping out of the ebb current. Sailing across the channel we met up with humpback whales BCY0324 “Big Mama” and her 2025 calf west of Mail Bay. The calf was playful at the surface raising tail flukes and pectoral flippers in the air. They slowly made their way up the channel heading northeast. Just as we were about to depart the calf breached a few times exciting us all. What a treat! After saying goodbye to the whales we came back down to the Orcas coastline again and enjoyed a fun sail back to the harbor.
2025 calf of Humpback Whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” beaching!
Bald eagle, Orcas Island
Orprey flying over Orcas Island in President Channel
Belted kingfisher
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” and her 2025 calf
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” waving pec flipper
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama”
2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama”
2025 calf of Humpback Whale BCY0324 “Big Mama”
Humpback Whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” in President Channel
Humpback Whale BCY0324 “Big Mama”
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” and her 2025 calf
Tail flukes of Humpback Whale BCY0324 “Big Mama”
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” and her 2025 calf
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” and her 2025 calf
Tail flukes of 2025 calf of Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama”
Humpback Whale BCY0324 “Big Mama”
Tail flukes of Humpback Whale BCY0324 “Big Mama”
Tail flukes of Humpback Whale BCY0324 “Big Mama”
Humpback whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” and her 2025 calf
2025 calf of Humpback Whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” beaching!
2025 calf of Humpback Whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” beaching!
2025 calf of Humpback Whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” beaching!
2025 calf of Humpback Whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” beaching!
2025 calf of Humpback Whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” beaching!
2025 calf of Humpback Whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” beaching!
2025 calf of Humpback Whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” beaching!
2025 calf of Humpback Whale BCY0324 “Big Mama” beaching!
Orcas Island north coast
Bald eagle nest, Orcas Island
Orcas Island north coast
View looking up to Boundary Pass from President Channel
Historic Lime Kiln, Orcas Island
Harbor seals, Shirt Tail Reef
Route map 6/25/25