July 12, 2026 – We sailed out of the south entrance of Friday Harbor with a report of orcas, the T46B’s (minus T46B1’s, T46B3 and T46B6), coming down Upright Channel. However; they turned and went back up to Cayou Channel so we turned and caught the flood current up the northwest side of Shaw Island through the Wasp Islands meeting the orcas at Bell Island. We watched as they passed through Pole Pass and then followed behind. They looked to be going into Deer Harbor but turned to head north of Reef Island. We thought to leave them at Jones Island to meet the T00’s (minus T100B’s and T100E) and T101’s who were in Haro Strait; however we turned to come through Spring Pass and re-join the orcas as they hunted a harbor seal north of Spring Pass. Spy hops and tail slaps suggested a successful hunt before they proceeded at speed up President Channel. We left them to explore Flattop Island seeing many pigeon guillemots nesting on the north shore. Coming down towards Green Pt we met the T100’s and T101’s. Sailing alongside they continued down the coastline of San Juan Island to Friday Harbor with gorgeous views and backlit blows. At Turn Island we left the orcas with one last view as they continued to Cattle Pass before we returned to Friday Harbor. A stellar sail with orcas, birthday cake and BBQ supper.
Orcas T46B’s come inter-island and orcas T100’s and T101’s come down San Juan Channel
- Humpback whale BCX1057 “Divot” and her 2026 calf followed by Orcas T123’s
- Trio of Humpback Whales: BCX1702 ‘Uluka’, BCX2473 ‘Kiara Kelly’ and BCY1014 ‘Poptart’