Minke whales on Hein and Salmon Banks & Biggs/Transient Orcas T46B's west from Hein Bank

July 13, 2025 – Took advantage of the ebb current to drift through Turn Island Pass and tack our way down San Juan Channel to Whale Rocks. There were gull chicks on Goose Island and cormorants on their nests. Steller sea lions were hauled out at Whale Rocks. At that point we picked up our speed to go down to Hein Bank where two minke whales were foraging amongst the birds. We believe one of them is nicknamed “Arrow”. The other shows what looked like a tattered tip of the dorsal fin – we thought this was “Lil’ Nicky”, but according to one of our friends this appears to be a minke whale which she hasn’t seen since 2012! She said there is actually a parasite on the tip of the dorsal fin and it was there back in 2012 when they last saw this whale. Exciting find! We had some fantastic views.

Biggs/Transient orcas T46B’s had come west from Smith Island and stopped at the bottom of Hein Bank on a hunt. We decided to go for it and headed fast quickly meeting them just as they resumed a fast westerly course. We sailed alongside in choppy conditions barely able to keep up until we reached the Canadian border where we turned back for San Juan Island. As we crossed back over Salmon Bank there were two more minke whales (“Dent” and “Lil Nicky II”) foraging. We caught the flood current for a fast run back.