Sept 12, 2025 – We left Friday Harbor with news of Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s rounding Turn Pt and heading for New Channel. So we sailed north to the Wasp Islands and Jones Island heading for New Channel where we hoped to meet them. We saw belted kingfishers, bald eagles, and harbor seals all part of an idyllic landscape on this beautiful afternoon. The orcas had been reported as engaging in breaching, tail slapping and social behaviour, but had stalled out on southern Stuart Island shoreline. We sailed into Haro Strait to meet them. The cavorting and antics had continued while we sailed alongside towards Turn Pt. Stunning views of the orcas against the honeycombed sandstone and layered beach conglomerate cliff faces. Rounding Turn Pt they appeared to be hunting close to shore with more unbelievable views. We saw about 15 black oystercatchers joining in the social celebrations of the evening. It was tough to leave but we pushed south to Ripple Island Pass and came south through the Cactus Islands with BBQ supper in New Channel. Stellar sunset as we sailed from Nob Island past Shirt Tail Reef and across towards Friday Harbor.
Biggs/Transient orca T75B’s tail slapping
Mt Baker viewed from Wasp Passage
Belted kingfisher on Spieden Island
Bald eagle on Spieden Island
Belted kingfisher on Spieden Island
Harbor seals on Spieden Island
Enjoying Spieden Island
Marine fog layer
Orca spy hop
Leaping salmon
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s tail slapping
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s tail slapping
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s with black oystercatchers in background
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s kelping (black oystercatchers in background)
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s near Stuart Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s near Stuart Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s near Stuart Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s tail slapping
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s near Stuart Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s with honeycomb sandstone backdrop
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s near Stuart Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s near Stuart Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s tail slapping near Stuart Island
Orca chin
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s near Stuart Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s passing Lovers Leap, Stuart Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s passing Lovers Leap, Stuart Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s passing Lovers Leap, Stuart Island
Orca passing Turn Pt Lighthouse, Stuart Island
Orca tail with Turn Pt Lighthouse, Stuart Island
Orca tail
Orca tail with Mt Baker
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s on the Northside of Stuart Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T75B’s on the Northside of Stuart Island
Turn Pt Lighthouse, Stuart Island
Ribbons of fog
Glassy conditions in Boundary Pass
Black oystercatchers flying by
Crew member Eric preparing supper
Views in New Channel
Cactus Island reflections
Bald eagle in fir tree
Harbor seal
Enjoying sockeye salmon supper with grilled veggies
Sunset sail – San Juan Islands
Sunset sail – San Juan Islands
Evening glow on McConnell Island
Harbor seal resting on a rock
Passengers enjoying the sunset
Harbor seal ready for bed
Sunset with Yellow Island
Sunset – San Juan Islands
Gull on channel marker in the sunset
Route map 9/12/25