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

Whale Watching Report

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

Monday, February 8, 2010

Winter(?) Whales

We've been having such nice, warm weather, it's hard to believe that it is February! Lots of whale sightings in the area - more Transient Orca Whales in the Victoria area, Gray Whales in the Everett area (Our first Gray Whale tour will be March 6th, from Everett), and a Humpback Whale in the Puget Sound.

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 3:53 PM   0 Comments

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Transient Orca Whales Sighted

A large group of Transient Orca Whales, upwards of 20, was sighted near Victoria and the Port Angeles area. Stay tuned to the Whale Report for updates on winter wildlife!

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 4:43 PM   0 Comments

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Can't Wait For March 6th!

Gray Whales have already been sighted in the Everett area, J-Pod sighted in Haro Strait, 4 new baby Orcas (The Orca Whales are doing great!), we're just finishing rebuilds on all three engines on Island Explorer 3 (cleaner, more efficient, faster), new generator is super quiet, we've installed all new and additional heaters, and our crew is ready - Wow! This looks like a great season! Hope to see you soon!

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 9:34 AM   0 Comments

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

What a Steller day!

Nov 21, 2009

Capt Carl took us out on a wonderful day on the water. We found lots of Bald Eagles and harbor seals. In Spieden Channel, everywhere you looked, there was a Steller sealion! It was amazing. We spent plenty of time watching the Stellers play around in the water. On Spieden Island, there were even some Mouflon Sheep. A couple harbor porpoise even gave us a close "swim" by! The crew and passengers searched for whales all day, but none could be found. All of our passengers got a pass to come again for free, until they see a whale.

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 7:22 PM   0 Comments

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Transient Orca Whales Sighted from Island Explorer 3

Captain Carl reports Transient Orca Whales in sight! Stay tuned to the Whale Report for updates.

What an amazing trip we experienced today aboard the Island Explorer 3! We always remind our guests (and ourselves) that wildlife can pop up anywhere at anytime, and that we spend every moment during our trips searching for the wide variety of animals that live in the region.
The day started with a California Sea Lion resting on a navigational marker in Guemes Channel. A good omen for the day, considering we had not seen one of these critters for some time. After our guests were able to take several pictures of the posing pinniped, we continued on the adventure.
J-pod Orcas had been spotted by a Washington State ferry captain the previous day, to the south. Captain Carl pointed toward Smith Island, hoping the Resident Orcas had made their way into the Straits of Juan de Fuca. During our extensive search of this area, we made a stop at Minor Island, visiting with @ 3 dozen harbor seals hauled out on the point, under the watchful gaze of a mature bald eagle.
Travelling west to cover as much water as possible, we eventually ended up in Cattle Pass, and were rewarded with quite a show. A dozen or so Stellar Sea Lions were resting on Whales Rocks, flanked by maybe 2 dozen of the large animals surfing the strong current. They twisted and dove, circling the boat for great show!
As we continued our trip word came in to Capt. Carl that J-Pod hade been spotted out west, past Victoria. Travelling the inter-islands toward our dock, the search continued for other whales.
The wind picked up and skies darkened as we entered Rosario Strait, now in the last hour of the trip. Out of the blue Capt. calls out "We've got whales!" Orca whales! Right in our backyard! Transient Orcas were moving north up the strait at a good clip!
Our guests all jumped up out of their seats and bundled up for the show. We spent the next hour enjoying our fortune as members of the T-18 family reminded us that wildlife will appear when you least expect it to!
A great trip today, one the crew will be talking about for some time to come.

-Michael Colahan

posted by Island Adventures Whale Report @ 3:51 PM   0 Comments