July 28, 2026 – With reports of orcas south of Lopez Island heading east we headed towards them. After viewing the sea otter at Turn Rock it became clear we should head over the top of Lopez Island to meet the orcas in Rosario Strait. After rounding the cliffs of Upright Head we cut down thru Spencer Spit and Frost Island thinking we had plenty of time with the orcas coming up Rosario. The common thread with Biggs/transient orcas is that they are predictably unpredictable and they took Guemes Channel on a flood current rather than coming up Rosario Strait. We sailed across on a beam reach with a good wind at high speed to catch up. Eventually we caught up at March Point passing Anacortes towards the oil refinery. The orcas were identified as T36’s (T36 with T36B’s (T36B1, T36B1A, T36B2 and T36B4)), T69E, T137A, and exotic California transients CA27/T135, CA27C/T135C, and CA27F/T135F whom are rare visitors and some we’ve never seen. Some lovely views as they neared the oil refinery. On our return fighting the flood current we decided to use it to our advantage by taking Bellingham Channel. Beautiful views of the forest on Cypress Island and Eagle Cliff. Sailed back from Tide Pt to Obstruction Pass for our return to Friday Harbor. 
All Aboard Sailing
Whale Watching Sailing from Friday Harbor through the San Juan Islands – and beyond!
