San Juan Island Adventures

Started off as a potentially very wet whale watch, but that was quickly about to change. Soon after leaving the docks of Roche Harbor, the M/V Sea Hawk could see clear skies in front of her. This wasn't the only good news for passengers on board, but there were also reports of Southern Resident Killer whales on the westside of San Juan Island. As we motored past Lime Kiln Whale Watching Park we started to see puffs of air in the far distance. Upon closer inspection it was...

Today Captain Nancy and I had yet another magical trip on the M/V Seahawk. We left the dock at noon with reports of all three resident killer whale pods to the south. The Southern Resident population consists of 79 individuals spread across three pods (J, K & L) and when all of the pods are together we call that a SUPERPOD! On the way to the southern end of San Juan Island we located a humpback whale. We were the first boat in the whale watching fleet with the whale and...

It's not everyday in the San Juans  that guests get a chance to see the massive humpbacks cruising through the area on their way to the breeding and mating grounds down in Hawaii. However, today was one of those days! The skies were clear and the water could not be any calmer when the M/V Sea Hawk departed from the bustling Roche Harbor docks. It wasn't long before guests spotted the gigantic blow coming from the two humpbacks surfacing in the distance. This blow can...

Wondrous weather here in the San Juans, however it was a bit touch and go on whale reports at the beginning of the day. However, that was quickly going to change as the day progressed. With all the new baby hoopla it would have been quite a disappointment not to see members of L Pod around the area-luckily the whales aren't ones to disappoint! About halfway down San Juan Island we heard reports of L Pod moving up island from Whidbey Island! Once we arrived at False bay we...

TRANNNNNNSIIIIENTSS! Hide your seals, Hide your porpoises, the transients are here. The T-65A's were spotted along the Eastside of Waldron, moving up island, and they were on the hunt! When M/V Sea Hawk came on scene the orcas were porpoising and flinging themselves out of the water to keep potential prey from getting a breathe. They settled for a bit as they headed north, but then quickly picked up the pace as they corralled potential prey into a bay. It looked as if...

Today M/V Sea Hawk traveled a long way to see Transient Orcas. Captain Pete took myself and guests over to James Island, by Anacortes. We traveled through San Juan Channel and around the south end of Lopez in order to get there. Along the way guests were able to see Northern Sea Lions and Harbor Seals. When we first arrived the small group of transients were hunting harbor seals and traveling quickly! This group was easy to identify because of one male, Mr. Floppy Fin...

M/V Sea Hawk and guests headed south toward Eagle Point on San Juan Island. Along the way we encountered Dall's Porpoise surfacing and creating rooster tails! This was a big treat for everyone, and for myself because I have not been able to see Dall's Porpoise do this action before. When watching the Dall's, guests were able to see the muscular build of the Dall's, see a the black and white coloring of them, and see a slow surfacing and a rooster tail spray surfacing...

Not the J22s this time, but rather our dock goddesses with some delicious cookies! Stop by our Roche Harbor location to enjoy some wonderful homemade baked goods and to donate to a good cause.  The SJO Relay for Life team in support of the American Cancer Society will be here today and tomorrow selling some yummy treats!

Dock Ladies Amy and Sarah with the Table of Delicious Baked Goods!

M/V Seahawk headed north on Tuesday morning in hopes of catching up with some transient orcas in Canadain waters. We ended up with great luck and the group of T65As headed south and met us half way! We caught up with them in Boundary Pass and they led us back to Roche Harbor. They spent some time hunting and milling around the Catcus Islands, and the backside of Spieden Island. We got to spend close to and hour and a half watch T65A and her 5 offspring, including the new...

Captain Nancy, myself and guests travelled all the way to Active Pass in order to see Orcas! In order to get to Active Pass, M/V Sea Hawk motored through Haro Strait and Swanson Channel. Active Pass is located in the Canadian Gulf Islands and is the passage way between Mayne Island and Galiano Island. This passage way is relatively narrow and can have very turbulent water, which our guests did get to experience! The Orcas that were in Active Pass were Transients and it...