August 14, 2025 – With good winds for sailing and the ebb current we headed south after leaving Friday Harbor. In Cattle Pass we spotted a small group of harbor porpoise, and black oystercatchers, bald eagles, a great blue heron and harbor seals hauled out at Deadman Island. There were many Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks including some very large males. Pink salmon were leaping everywhere – a wonderful sight to see. We came around Long Island and ventured out to Salmon Bank scanning for whales as it switched to a flood tide. Despite many birds around we weren’t finding any minke whales. We ventured to the south end of the bank and on our way back got lucky finding a minke closer to the green can. She gave us some really nice views before pushing south. The flood current carried us nicely through Cattle Pass and up the channel back to Friday Harbor. Oh, and our sweet passengers got engaged during the sail! Congratulations!
Minke whale, Salmon Bank
Bald eagle, San Juan Islands
Bald eagle, San Juan Islands
Harbor seals, Shark Reef
Harbor porpoise with calf
Views of Orcas Island
Sailing in Cattle Pass
Great blue heron on bull kelp forest with Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Black oystercatchers
Harbor seals, Deadman Island with Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Bald eagle, Lopez Island
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks
Steller sea lion pup at Whale Rocks
Steller sea lion swimming near Whale Rocks
Steller sea lion at Whale Rocks with many Heermann’s gulls
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks with Cattle Pt Lighthouse
Trees on Long Island, WA
Pair of great blue herons
Great blue heron
Calm waters on Salmon Bank
Calm waters on Salmon Bank
Leaping pink salmon
Leaping pink salmon
Rhinoceros auklets
Minke whale, Salmon Bank
Minke whale, Salmon Bank
Sweet couple who got engaged on our sail!
Route map 8/14/25 pm