Whale Watching Report

Our guests aboard the Island Explorer 3 have seen orcas today! Stay tuned for a detailed report from Naturalist Kate!

Rostrum Lift!

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

Gaia's Pass (L78)

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

Stock Minke Whale Photo from Last Summer

(as promised to a guest since I didn't have my camera on me when we had the amazing encounter!)

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

AM: "We found Orcas off shore of San Juan Island this morning very spread out in various small groupings. We first visited with Cappuccino (K21) and Grace (L2)- showing our guests the size difference between the genders! Grace desided to take a closer look at our guests with a great pass along the port side. The Orca highlight came later when Gaia (L78) made a surprise visit at our stern swimming the entire length of the boat just barely under the water allowing all to see him move from above! After our visit with the Orcas we found a very small Minke Whale, approximately a one or two year old based on size, off Salmon Bank. This small baleen whale became quite comfortable with us as it passed right along the side of the boat- in a very similar fashion as Gaia! We were actually able to see the white banding on its little pectoral fin- a first for the crew on board! Definitely one of my best Minke encounters in 3 years!"

Minke Under Cattle Point

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

Feeding Red necked Phalarope

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

Skagit Blowing Air (K13)

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

Eagle Evening Glow

Photo by Naturalist Kate Janes

PM: " Our evening trip also had a double header- seeing both Minke & Orca whales! We first found a Minke Whale at Salmon Bank. This was a larger Minke than the morning trip. But it worked the prominent bank dining on the baitfish! After a few good looks we continued west where we found Orcas! Georgia (K11) and her grandcalf Scoter (K25) were the first to welcome us! We watched as they milled changing directions, moving on and off shore. Then we went and visited with Skagit (K13), Georgia's daughter & Scoter's mom! She gave us a nice pass and then spyhopped at our stern deciding to check us all out!" - Naturalist Kate Janes