May 9, 2026 – After sailing the channel to Shaw Island we decided to head east to circumnavigate Lopez Island. We cut inside of Canoe Island, rounded Upright Head, and sailed by Spencer Spit to exit Lopez Pass where we met a gray whale. The whale has been foraging by Shoal Bight for the past several days. After some lovely views we sailed the ebb current around the bottom of Lopez inside the beautiful scenery of Castle Island, Blind Island and Aleck Rocks National Wildlife Refuge. Nearing Iceberg Pt we spotted two tufted puffins a place where a pair used to hang out in past years. Continuing south on MacArthur Bank our passenger spotted a minke whale (possibly “Lil Nicky”). The minke whale led us south where we met a humpback whale BCZ0298 “Split Fin” (born 2006, presumable male who winters in Hawaii). Returned via way of Long Island and Whale Rocks Steller sea lion haul out. At Turn Rock there was a sea otter resting in the bull kelp forest.
Other wildlife seen: great blue heron, surf scoters, black oystercatchers, harbor seals, bald eagle(s) with nest, and harbor porpoise 
