May 6, 2026 – We co-ordinated with our passengers to leave a day early this morning after hearing reports of the Biggs/Transient orcas who had been seen by the ferry coming through Thatcher Pass, were now Southbound in Upright Channel. We left posthaste to meet the orca family known as the T49A’s (minus T49A1 and T49A2) just passed Reid Rock outside Friday Harbor. At first we sailed on headsail alone but as they picked up speed we turned into wind to raise the main. It took a while to catch up as they picked up speeds of above 7 knots crossing into Spieden Channel. An abrupt stop with long down times had us wondering if they were onto a Steller sea lion hunt who are still present in lesser numbers on Green Point. As the orcas began a pattern of treading water into the strong ebb we continued our sail up into New Channel and explored the rocks and pass of Ripple Island where many harbor seals were hauled out together. Passing the Cactus Islands we met a lone Steller sea lion who we saw again later close to shore at Spieden Island. Had some nice views of a bald eagle before wrapping back around Spieden. Another view of the orcas who headed into New Channel before doubling back for a fast close pass of Green Point and then resumed a stationary position leaving us wondering what was going on in their minds. Our return to Friday Harbor was along the San Juan shoreline to escape the now flooding current and Southerly winds.
