All Aboard Sailing

Biggs/Transient Orcas T46C’s and T75C’s by D’arcy Island & a Humpback outside Friday Harbor

By allaboardsailing@yahoo.com June 27, 2025 Full Day Sail, Sailing with Humpback Whales, Sailing with Transient Orcas, Sailing with whales
June 27, 2025 – After leaving Friday Harbor we headed north on account of two families of orcas northbound in Haro Strait. It turned out to be Biggs/Transient orcas T36’s and T99’s found later near Sidney Island milling. Winds were picking up as we headed west in Spieden Channel so we reefed the sails and had a fast sail on the ebbing current. Another group of orcas were found milling near D’arcy Island which included the T46C’s and T75C’s.  Additionally one humpback whale was northbound in Haro Strait near Henry Island making slow progress against the ebb tide. When the earlier group of orcas started moving NW away from us we decided to head to D’arcy Island. Conditions were building as we crossed Haro Strait. We had an exciting fast sail with occasional spray and made it on scene to see the orcas. The two families of orcas aren’t ones we see regularly so we were really excited. After some milling and a quick predation the orcas quickly headed south and we made tracks to New Channel north of Spieden Island. Bald eagles were perched in the trees while pigeon guillemots called from the tops of the cliff. Cut across to Flattop Island where harbor seals were hauled out and the large bald eagle chick was clearly visible in the nest. As we were sailing south down San Juan Channel we noticed a sighting of a humpback southbound near Friday Harbor. It was the same humpback from earlier in Haro Strait that wrapped around the island and was now making little headway against the flooding current. We got on scene and had some wonderful views.  Photos were sent to HappyWhale to obtain ID. Another epic adventure in the books!

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island

Nob Island and Shirt Tail Reef

Osprey dive bombing two bald eagles by Jones Island

Sailing fast in Spieden Channel towards Haro Strait

Sailing fast in Spieden Channel towards Haro Strait

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island (T46C3)

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island (T46C1)

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island (T46C and T75C)

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island (new calf in T46C’s)

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island (new calf in T46C’s)

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island

Biggs/Transient orcas T46C’s and T75C’s near D’arcy Island

Pair of bald eagles by Little D’arcy Island

Rocks and reefs by D’arcy and Little D’arcy Islands

Pair of bald eagles and harbor seals by Little D’arcy Island

Harbor seals by Little D’arcy Island

Kellett Bluff, Henry Island

Sailing wing on wing

S/V Orion

Pigeon guillemots on Spieden Island

Bald eagle on Spieden Island

North coast Spieden Island

Bald eagle on Spieden Island

Calm seas in New Channel

Bald eagle on Cactus Island

Calm seas in New Channel / Boundary Pass

Flattop Island

Harbor seals on Flattop Island

Harbor seals on Flattop Island with glacial erratic

Harbor seals on Flattop Island

Bald eagle chick in nest on Flattop Island

Parent of bald eagle chick on Flattop Island

Pole Pass in the distance

Pair of bald eagles flying

Looking up towards Galiano Island from Nob Island

San Juan Island coastline

Rhinoceros auklet with fish

Ferry

Humpback whale southbound near Reid Rock

Humpback whale southbound near Reid Rock

Humpback whale southbound near Reid Rock

Humpback whale southbound near Reid Rock

Humpback whale southbound near Reid Rock

Humpback whale southbound near Reid Rock

Humpback whale southbound near Reid Rock

Humpback whale southbound near Reid Rock

Humpback whale southbound near Reid Rock

Sea plane taking off from Friday Harbor in misty rain

Humpback whale southbound near Reid Rock

Humpback whale southbound near Reid Rock

Humpback whale southbound near Reid Rock

Humpback whale southbound near Reid Rock

Route map 6/27/25

Tagged on: , , , , , , , , , , , ,