May 12, 2026 – Today’s whale reports had whales heading south in Rosario Strait looking out of reach and orcas (T49A’s) approaching False Bay, San Juan Island, from Victoria. We placed a bet that these orcas would head north so we did the same. While sailing through Spring Pass towards a report of a humpback we received news of orcas near Crane Island. They were Biggs/Transient orcas known as the T90’s and we met them inside Deer Harbor, Orcas Island. After clearing the harbor they stopped to hunt before continuing into Spring Pass. White caps and strong winds as the whales traveled quickly up President Channel. We left them to visit Lovers Cove and the cliffs of Turtleback Mountain. Fast wing on wing sail switching to beam reach took us to Flattop Island where we saw harbor seals and a bald eagle in its nest. Dropping down to Green Pt to see the Steller sea lions we were approached by the Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s (minus T49A1 and T49A2). We watched them come close to shore to round Green Pt before doubling back down Spieden Channel. We left them to return by way of Jones Island and the Wasp Islands.
