Sailing with Southern Resident Orcas on The West side San Juan Island

July 14, 2018 – We set sail south in San Juan Channel and out through Cattle Pass with anticipation of seeing our Southern Resident Killer Whales of J and K pod. We visited some harbor seal haul out sites and watched the busy bird activity on Goose Island before rounding Cattle Point Lighthouse. The first whales we saw were the J14’s and J22’s in a tight group. J38 was slapping his tail constantly with the others joining in from time to time. We sailed with them as they traveled towards Hein Bank against the flood. The group picked up the speed so we let them go as we sailed along waiting for a trailing group, K16’s with K21. There was a sudden turn and J’s appeared to be heading in a northwesterly direction. As we sailed back towards shore we found the K14’s and J31 playing with K34. All whales were trending up San Juan Island as we had to turn south and start heading back to the harbor. We enjoyed a delicious dinner in Eagle Cove before sailing back in through Cattle Pass.