July 5, 2026 – Knowing that orcas, the T100’s, were southbound in San Juan Channel from our earlier sail we hustled everyone together to set off to the south. Cutting through Turn Island pass we saw many harbor seals. With blows to the south we pressed on until we could sail alongside the orcas to Cattle Pass. The flood current was running strong, but the orcas chose the fastest part of the current to swim against. We hugged the shoreline of Deadman Island to stay in the back eddy and keep up with them. We had good views as they rushed into Whale Rocks before veering to the waters north of Long Island. We left them to circle Whale Rocks and see the Steller sea lions before riding the flood current back toward the Lopez shoreline and home to Friday Harbor. Other wildlife seen: rhinoceros auklets, black oystercatchers, great blue heron and bald eagles.
Orcas T100’s southbound San Juan Channel to Cattle Pass
- Orcas T100’s by White Rock and towards Friday Harbor
- Orcas T46B1’s and T46C2 rough housing with T46B1D