August 5, 2026 – Close-hauled sail with a course set for Pt George. Jibed and reduced sail for a drift on the ebb current down the coast of Shaw Island. At Hicks Bay we spotted a bald eagle and saw many harbor seals on the rocks and in the water. At Turn Rock we spotted the sea otter busy foraging for brunch. Near Deadman Island we spotted a great blue heron and more harbor seals resting with their new pups. The Steller sea lions were rambunctious at Whale Rocks while Brandts cormorants roosted on top of the island. With an earlier report of a humpback near False Bay we headed up towards Eagle Pt to scan, but didn’t see any sign of it. Later a report of two humpbacks were seen near County Park moving north. Southern Residents from L pod (L54’s and L12’s) had moved up island as well continuing north. Conditions were glassy and we could see for miles. We headed towards Salmon Bank to scan for minkes, but didn’t spot any there so we continued to Hein Bank. Alas, we spotted a minke whale known as “Trotsky II”. In the distance we heard a second minke whale who later appeared closer giving us some great views. We think this one is nicknamed “Razor”. Last July when we saw Trotsky she had large bulge on the left side under the dorsal fin. Unfortunately, that large lump is still there. She appeared to be swimming normally and we observed a quick lunge through a bait ball. After the peaceful time drift sailing watching minkes we came about to return back to Friday Harbor with a pass by Goose Island. Cormorants were plentiful, gulls were near their newly hatched chicks and harbor seals rested on the beach. Lots of diving birds seen today including common murres, rhinoceros auklets, marbled murrelets as well as many harbor porpoise, too.
All Aboard Sailing
Whale Watching Sailing from Friday Harbor through the San Juan Islands – and beyond!
