June 4, 2026 – Leaving Friday Harbor with a report of Biggs/Transient orcas T99’s northbound in an ebb current on a treadmill in Bellingham Channel. From Upright Head we came across to Peavine Pass anticipating meeting the orcas north end of Bellingham Channel; however, as we came into Rosario Strait the orcas were still on a treadmill. We came down the forested northeast coastline of Blakely Island on the ebb tide catching the current line across to Reef Pt, Cypress Island. The orcas had drifted south backwards and we were within two miles when they turned to the east. We pushed on passed the Anacortes docks working hard to catch up. We eventually met them heading into the oil refinery of March’s Point. The male orca, T99C, stayed a little offshore while the other four went right into the docks and the ships of the industrial site. Sailing alongside they came over to Hat Island with lovely views as they traveled north through the pass between Huckleberry and Saddlebag Island. We left them to head home but met the T123’s family of orcas just south of Jack Island. They changed course to meet up with the T99’s to our east approaching William Pt on Samish Island. We had a fast sail home passed the Cone Islands, wrapping around Cypress Island to Tide Pt and crossing on the flood current to Obstruction Pass. A fantastic sail.
Orcas T99’s and T123’s by Guemes Island
- Orcas T49A1 with T49C plus T36A’s and T69D’s in Haro Strait
- A Gray whale, Orcas, Humpbacks, Puffins, Seals, Sea lions and more