Oct 5, 2025 – We sailed north in San Juan Channel and explored the Wasp Islands before crossing to Limestone Pt. We took the north side of Spieden Island spotting Steller sea lions, bald eagles, belted kingfishers, and harbor seals. With news of a humpback whale on the westside of San Juan Island northbound we moved south to see it. We hugged the beautiful Kellett Bluff passing by a great blue heron foraging on the bull kelp. Near County Park we spotted the humpback whale as it traveled north. We submitted photos to HappyWhale.com to get help identifying the whale and they responded with ID BCX2479. After some gorgeous views of the humpback we returned by way of New Channel through the Cactus Islands and over to Flattop Island National Wildlife Refuge. Harlequin ducks and harbor seals against a honeycomb sandstone backdrop basked in the evening light. After heading south passed Jones Island and the Wasp Island we tacked our way down the channel and returned to Friday Habror.
Humpback whale BCX2479
Mt Baker
Fun sailing adventure in the San Juan Islands
Steller sea lion, Spieden Island
Bald eagle, Spieden Island
Belted kingfisher Spieden Island
Spieden Island Bluff
Bald eagle, Battleship Island
Kellett Bluff, Henry Island
Great blue heron
Humpback whale BCX2479 northbound Haro Strait
Humpback whale BCX2479 northbound Haro Strait
Humpback whale BCX2479 tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX2479 tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX2479 northbound along Henry Island
Humpback whale BCX2479 tail flukes
Humpback whale BCX2479 northbound Haro Strait
Humpback whale BCX2479 northbound Haro Strait
Humpback whale BCX2479 northbound Haro Strait
Humpback whale BCX2479 northbound Haro Strait
Male harlequin duck
Female harlequin ducks
Pair of bald eagles on Cactus Island
Calm seas
Harbor seal on Flattop Island
Harbor seal on Flattop Island
Harbor seal on Flattop Island
Harbor seal on Flattop Island with honeycomb sandstone backdrop
Harbor seal on Flattop Island
Jones Island
Canada Geese
Mt Baker
West tip of Yellow Island and layers of islands
Mt Baker
Route map 10/5/25