< Whale Watching Reports from Island Adventures Whale Watching Tours in the San Juan Islands

Whale Watching Report

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Gray Whale off Hat Island

We had beautiful, sunny weather for today's trip. Our wildlife viewing started with a bald eagle flying toward Jetty Island right as we got off the dock. Next we stopped to look at three California sea lions lounging around on a channel marker. We cruised northward, and eventually found a gray whale near Hat Island. It was #531 and he was swimming amongst many fisherman participating in a salmon tournament. 531 showed us his tail flukes on many occasions. Eventually we had him lined up perfectly with Mount Baker in the background. Later as we cruised back toward the dock we had a bald eagle fly overhead, and we visited with some California sea lions. Other wildlife we spotted today included harbor seals, western grebes, red-necked grebes, double-crested cormorants, pigeon guillemots, and American wigeon. Naturalist Bart Rulon

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 4:27 PM   0 Comments

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Four Gray Whales!

Wednesday March 17
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Our guests were in for a treat today. Before we even left the dock, we had spotted two bald eagles, several Canada geese, a harbor seal, and our friendly neighbor ducks. As we left the marina, we had impeccable timing, we witnessed a California sea lion jumping up onto the channel marker! It only took him two times. We also spotted a mature bald eagle perched atop a barge of sawdust that was anchored in the river delta. We made our way out to look for whales and in no time found one! We spent some quality time with our ol' buddy #49 Patch. He surfaced several times and gave our customers a great look at his white patch. We moved on northward, in search of other animals. We came upon three gray whales all hanging out together! We really got a chance to see their heart-shaped blows. Captain Carl also gave us a little treat; he put us downwind of those three gray whales... stinky! I don't think our customers will soon forget that smelly encounter. As we headed back in, we came across Patch again. A few more great looks at him, then we had to head in. What a beautiful day, sunshine, calm water and wonderful wildlife!

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 2:11 PM   0 Comments

Calm Water and Gray Whales

Tuesday March 16

The trip started out overcast, but it didn't take long for the sun to come out. We found a California seal lion hauled out on the channel marker just as we were exiting the marina. Captain Carl found us two gray whales about 15 minutes off the dock, just off of Gedney Island. We hung out with one for a little bit, then we moved on to the next one. The first whale we visited with is new in the area, we haven't identified who it is. The second whale was #53, a regular visitor for us! They put on a great show with fairly short respirations and lots of surface time! We got to the marina just in time for the wind to start blowing! What great timing!

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 1:49 PM   0 Comments

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Gray Whales Sighted from Island Explorer 3

#49, Patch, takes a deep dive.

If you look closely you can see the lower eagle is flying upside-down!

You can really tell he's upside-down here.


Today we spotted our first gray whale at the south end of Camano Island. As we got closer we realized that there were actually two whales instead of one. The first whale we visited was #22 and as we got close he raised his tail flukes for a deep dive. He surfaced many more times before we moved north to look at the other whale. This second one was #49, Patch, and he also showed us his tail flukes as he took a deep dive. Later he swam in toward shore and fed on his side showing us his pectoral fins and tail flukes at the same time. While we watched the whales we also had quite a show with at least four eagles flying overhead. At times the eagles were soaring, and at other times they were doing acrobatics, chasing each other around! During the trip we also saw a California sea lion, brant, double-crested cormorants, pigeon guillemots, and a red-necked grebe. It was a great day! Naturalist Bart Rulon

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 3:37 PM   0 Comments

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Gray Whales and Orca Whales

Orcas in our Gray Whale zone and 4 Gray Whales spotted in the Everett area.
Saturday, March 13th is looking like a great day for a Whale Watch tour!

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 9:31 AM   0 Comments

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Gray Whales off Whidbey Island

Gray whale #531 takes a deep dive

A California sea lion has trouble getting back on top.



We started out our trip today by watching three California sea lions on one of the channel markers near Jetty Island. Two of the sea lions were hauled out on the channel marker, and the third was trying very hard to jump out of the water to join them on the top. He tried about ten times, but didn't have any luck. It was entertaining to watch though. Later we cruised north past Hat Island and we found our first gray whale feeding in shallow water near the shoreline of Whidbey Island. He was in such shallow water that we could see his pectoral fins and tail flukes raised into the air as he fed on his side! This was gray whale #531, and he eventually swam out into deeper water, and showed us his tail flukes on a couple of deep dives. We also saw surf scoters, common loons, a bufflehead duck and three bald eagles while we watched the whale. Next we decided to look for more whales by heading north toward Camano Island. We spotted another gray whale just at the southern tip of Camano. He surfaced several times for us before we cruised back to the dock. Naturalist Bart Rulon

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 11:59 AM   0 Comments

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Gray Whales Sighted on First 2010 Tour

It was good to see our old friend, Patch, today.
An eagle caught a cod right in front of us.

#49, Patch, lines up perfectly with Mount Baker.

We started out our trip today by watching a couple of bald eagles on Jetty Island. Next we visited a channel marker with two California sea lions hauled out on them. Within 30 minutes we spotted our first gray whale. He gave us several good views as he surfaced in deep water, and on one occasion he even showed his tail flukes on a deep dive. Eventually he worked his way over to shallow water at the south end of Hat Island. While we were watching him a bald eagle swooped down and caught a fish right in front of us! Next we decided to head north to look for more whales, and we managed to find another gray whale feeding near the northern shoreline of Hat Island. It was #49, Patch, and he was lined up perfectly with Mount Baker in the background giving everyone great photo opportunities. Patch surfaced many more times before we left him. On our way back to the dock we caught back up with our first gray whale again and watched him for about 10 minutes before heading back to the dock. What a great way to start the season. Naturalist, Bart Rulon.

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 12:29 PM   3 Comments

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Gray Whale Sightings

Consistent Gray Whale sightings over the last few weeks in the Everett area - they have arrived early this year and we can't wait to get out on the water! Sightings of some of the yearly regulars have been confirmed and Cascadia Research will be on board to ID any new arrivals. The Island Explorer 3 is better than ever with two months of great improvements completed including more heaters and engine rebuilds. Tours on Saturday and Sunday departing from Everett at 11AM.

Update 1:15PM: Captain Carl and Captain Michael report "Gray Whale in sight from Island Explorer 3!" as they reposition the boat to Everett for the Gray Whale watching season.

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 8:58 AM   0 Comments

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

New Orca Calf

The Center for Whale Research has confirmed a new baby in L-Pod. With 4 new babies in J-Pod, this L-Pod calf brings the total newborns to 7. Orca Whale tours from Anacortes begin on May 8th, 2010 and Gray Whale tours from Everett start March 6th!

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 9:53 AM   0 Comments

Friday, February 19, 2010

Gray Whales and Transient Orca Whales

More sightings of Gray Whales in the area over the last few days and also more sightings of Transient Orca Whales. We can't believe it's February with the beautiful blue sky, sunshine, and temps near 60. (That's 15 for our friends from Europe!) Great weather, lots of whale sightings, and the flowers are blooming. First tour on the Island Explorer 3 will be March 6th for Gray Whales from Everett.

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 8:54 AM   0 Comments