July 3, 2026 – As fast sail on the ebb tide across San Juan Channel keeping our speed up with a report of orcas coming through Thatcher Pass. We came inside Canoe Island explored some of the Shaw Island coastline and cut across to Upright Head. We noticed on both coastlines many sea stars on the low tide line. A second report came in of orcas southbound in East Sound identified as the T99’s. As we arrived on scene at the bottom of East Sound they began hunting. Great views and orca vocals on our hydrophone. The hunt was successful as indicated by the gulls and bald eagle flying in for scraps. We also noticed backwards swimming often associated with predation feeding events. As they resumed course to the west a party ensued with multiple breaches, tail slaps, inverted tail lobs, and dorsal fin slaps.They were very tight to the Orcas Island coastline. We left to explore the Cayou Channel when suddenly one of the orcas came porpoising at speed in our direction.The others caught up and we saw them all again as they passed Bell Island. We tacked our way down the channel back to Friday Harbor heeling with some good winds. 
Orcas T99’s hunting near East Sound
- Circumnavigating San Juan Island seeing Orcas T49A1 followed by T46B’s and T49C
- July 4th Sunset sail with Fireworks