September 28, 2026 – Sailed south on the ebb current passing Turn Rock but no sign of the sea otter today. We kept up our speed with news of Biggs/Transient orcas (T109A’s) heading towards Hein Bank from Canada. We paused briefly at Whale Rocks to see the Steller sea lions. Passing over Salmon Bank keeping an eye out for an earlier report of a minke whale as the orcas turned towards us from Hein Bank. We were under sail with some good wind and met them a mile or so southwest of Salmon Bank. Sailed parallel as they came in to Cattle Pass. The orcas took the inside of Goose Island which is as shallow as 6 feet. They milled around in the bull kelp presumably looking for harbor seals and circled the island quickly before continuing into Griffin Bay. We left the whales to head north and drop anchor at Turn Island for a shore excursion. Exploring the beaches and walking through the forest to come back to the ‘Peniel’ and raise anchor just as the orcas came inside the narrow channel inside Turn Island. We sailed alongside and watched them go inside the south entrance to Friday Harbor. They hunted a harbor seal amongst the anchored boats before following the docks through Friday Harbor and exiting the north entrance. 
All Aboard Sailing
Whale Watching Sailing from Friday Harbor through the San Juan Islands – and beyond!
