May 23, 2026 – Today we had good winds for sailing. We set off towards Upright Channel with news of Biggs/Transient orcas northbound in Rosario Strait from Thatcher Pass. The orcas were identified as the T65A’s (all of the family was together including T65A5 who is usually dispersed) and the T64B’s. This was exciting news for us, because we’ve never encountered the T64B’s before! It appears they may be spending more time north in Alaska. They have been spending time recently with the T65A’s in Puget Sound. The orcas crossed the channel to Cypress Island whilst traveling slowly against the ebbing current. We got on scene and had some gorgeous views as the orcas rested. When they neared the top of Cypress Island they appeared to wake up picking up speed. We wondered if they were beginning to chase something. After a long dive the orcas surfaced a couple miles to the east of us heading towards Bellingham Channel. We changed course to have a fast sail across the channel back towards Obstruction Island. We later heard they did indeed stop to hunt after all. As we came around Canoe Island we surprised one of our passengers with a birthday cake. A perfect ending to a fantastic sail. 
Epic sail with orcas T65A’s with T64B’s by Cypress Island
- Orcas T60’s with T69D2 by Mandarte followed by T100’s near Lime Kiln Point State Park
- Biggs/ Transient Orcas T19’s pass Orcas Ferry Landing