July 15, 2026 – We tossed a coin and sailed south today passing inside of Turn island with a good view of a bald eagle and harbor seals hauled out. The tail end of the ebb and a nice breeze allowed us to sail close hauled heeled over at speed. We tacked our way down until the current turned and we hugged the coastline in Cattle Pass. Cormorants were on their nests on Goose Island along with many gull chicks. At the lighthouse the now flooding tide took us to Whale Rocks for a fun view of the raucous Steller sea lions. There were both orca and humpback reports to the north showing signs that they may head south so we decided to turn around. We rode the current passed Deadman Island and ran the fastest part of the flood current northbound. Stopping briefly at Turn Rock we saw the sea otter wrapped up in bull kelp sleeping. We met a three humpback whales: BCX1251 “Orion”, BCY0770 “Gibbous” and BCZ0298 “Split Fin” just north of Pt Caution. We shut down to drift and appreciate their immense size as the three whales passed us. Continuing north we met Biggs/Transient orcas T100’s just north of White Rock. Lovely views as we sailed alongside passed White Rock and Flattop Island as they headed towards New Channel. Leaving them to circle Flattop Island we saw a large bald eagle chick above its nest and many harbor seals with new pups on the honeycomb sandstone shoreline. Continuing south on our way home we passed Low Island seeing a black oystercatcher with a small crab in its beak. 
All Aboard Sailing
Whale Watching Sailing from Friday Harbor through the San Juan Islands – and beyond!
