Written by Alison
on May 16, 2017

A San Juan Island whale watching adventure that won’t be forgotten anytime soon!

A San Juan Island whale watching adventure that won’t be forgotten anytime soon!

It was a day to remember!  We departed Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. We got word that a pod of Bigg’s Killer whales had been spotted so we headed north along the Orcas Island shoreline to catch up with the T123’s.  They are a small family group of three Bigg’s (Transient, marine mammal eating) Killer whales. As we approached the whales, we caught a glimpse of T123 (the mother, born in 1985), launch out of the water in pursuit of some prey. They quickly moved on traveling west, passing some kayakers along the way. We left them as they crossed Spring Passage heading towards Jones Island.  From there we visited with several Steller Sea Lions in Spieden Channel, then on to the Cactus Islands where we sighted bald eagles, harbor seals, a kelp forest, Harbor Porpoise and a quick glimpse of an elusive Minke Whale.  After all of this we still had time to hook up with the T123’s again.  The whales were just entering Spieden Channel where we had seen the Steller Sea Lions earlier.  They traveled along not seeming to notice the Sea Lions, and then T123 “Sidney” changed course under water and came flying out of the water in pursuit.  She and her 17-year-old only son Stanley, and 5-year-old daughter, Lucky, pursued the Sea Lion.  They appeared to ram it several times, then after about 20 minutes they grouped up and left.  From all accounts on the water that day, the sea lion was still alive and intact when they left.  This is certainly a day in the Salish Sea I will never forget!!
Have you seen the video from this encounter? Check it out here!
If you’re interested in booking a tour with us, be sure to check out our whale watching tours on the Western Prince II or the Western Explorer II and if you’re coming from Seattle, read more about our Whale Watching Seattle trips!
 

Written by Alison
on May 16, 2017

A San Juan Island whale watching adventure that won’t be forgotten anytime soon!

Latest Blog ...