September 19, 2026 – After cutting the lines we sailed north. As we neared the Wasp Islands we heard a report of orcas traveling southwest towards Skipjack Island so we kept our speed up to hopefully see them. Excitement grew as we heard the word “Chainsaw” mentioned – this is the nickname of male orca T63 (born 1978) who travels with his mother, T65 “Whidbey II” (born <1968). They stopped to circle Skipjack presumably hunting. We hugged some of the north coast of Orcas Island spotting a couple bald eagles along the way before sailing across to Waldron Island. Fall colors are in effect and looking so beautiful. The orcas were on the move again and began heading southwest so we wrapped around Pt Disney up to Sandy Pt where we arrived on scene. At first the pair were separated a couple hundred yards traveling parallel to one another. We spotted a group of harbor porpoise in the distance and it appeared they turned in their direction. We saw T65 milling around and T63 changed course to head that way. We believe she may have got a porpoise as the pair of orcas milled about for some time before resuming travel west in Boundary Pass. We decided to leave the orcas and head for Johns Pass, and to our surprise they did the same. It was a very cool sight seeing the pair take narrow dog leg of Johns Pass. Again we broke away this time to head towards Spieden Island when we noticed a couple large splashes in the distance. The pair began hunting near Stuart Island so we changed course to see what all the action was about. However, it seemed like a quick hunt and they were shortly on the move again. So, we resumed course back to New Channel. There were some bald eagles, harbor seals, and a fallow deer on shore. Near Green Pt we spotted a Steller sea lion peeking out in the bull kelp in the distance after we passed. Hugged the San Juan coastline and boogied back to Friday Harbor. A stellar day! 
All Aboard Sailing
Whale Watching Sailing from Friday Harbor through the San Juan Islands – and beyond!
