Orcas T36's and T37A's in Rosario

July 8, 2020 – After hearing reports of a large group of Biggs/Transient orcas in East Sound, Orcas Island, we decided to plot a course in that direction. Sailing across San Juan Channel and over to Shaw Island we hugged the beautiful coastline cutting behind Canoe Island. We crossed Upright Channel before making our way over towards the orcas who stopped to hunt at the bottom tip of Orcas Island.

As we arrived the orcas just finished eating and began traveling towards Obstruction Pass. Upon first looks we recognized the two family groups – T36 with T36B’s and the T37A’s. When we arrived in Rosario Strait the colors of the water almost looked tropical today with the lighting. It was a beautiful scene as we sailed along parallel to the orcas. Suddenly there were some direction changes and we think the orcas stumbled on some prey. They stopped to hang out for a bit followed by lots of surface activity. We saw many spy hops and breaches amongst the group. A couple double breaches, too. It was really exciting to watch their acrobatics.

Since we weren’t far from Pea Pod Rocks we left the whales to see some harbor seals and bald eagles who were perched above them. A nice group of harbor porpoise traveled close by. We had a beautiful sail as we headed down Rosario and returned via Peavine Pass. A bald eagle was sitting in her nest at Upright Head. With the strong current against us we used the engine to get back towards Flat Point, but had a nice fast sail up the channel back towards Friday Harbor.