July 17, 2026 – Before we left the dock, people were lined up on the pier watching the T65B family of Bigg’s (transient) orcas milling near the university docks in Friday Harbor. We cut our lines as the whales headed out through the north entrance of the harbor, following their course changes as they worked their way toward Turn Island through the ferry and recreational boat traffic.
We left the whales for a short time to drift passed a sea otter resting in the kelp off Turn Rock. They chose to ride the strong flood current toward the southern tip of Shaw Island and we decided to do the same. The new moon tides carried us so quickly that we tacked and sailed backwards, giving us excellent views as the whales followed the shoreline into Hicks Bay.
The T65B’s crossed toward San Juan from Point George while we stayed along the Shaw shoreline to visit the Wasp Islands. Harbor seals with new pups rested on the Yellow Island sand spit, and black oystercatchers were feeding along the rocks of Low Island.
Crossing back to the San Juan side, we met the whales again as they passed O’Neal Island. This was the day after T65B3 several-hour stranding near Minor Island, and researchers from the Center for Whale Research and SeaDoc Society were keeping a close watch on his condition.
The whales appeared to be on a treadmill against the flood current in Spieden Channel, so we sailed ahead along the Spieden shoreline and rounded into New Channel, watching bald eagles, pigeon guillemots, and belted kingfishers along the way.
As we drifted through the Cactus Islands in calm water, we heard the T65B’s had followed us into New Channel. We enjoyed spectacular views as they circled the islands, working through the kelp beds and shallow rocky areas searching for harbor seals. Suddenly 4 orcas turned to 5 when orca T65A5 “Indy” showed up out of the blue to join the fun.
With the sun getting low, it was hard to leave. I joked that we’d head home after a breach under a rainbow. A few moments the matriarch, T65B, breached. Tough to leave, but we soon turned Peniel toward Friday Harbor. Sunset colours over Spieden Island and the new moon rising above San Juan Island made for a memorable sail home
