Sailing with minke whales

July 26, 2020 – As we left Friday Harbor we met a steller sea lion. The decision for North or South was tricky for us but the sea lion made us think South. With a good wind from the North we raised sails for a fast and exiting beam reach to Shaw Island. Hearing a favorable weather report confirmed our decision South. We followed the Shaw coastline for awhile before a fast sail on the ebb current to Turn Island and across to Big Rock glacial erratic on the Lopez shoreline.

Harbor seals are still having pups and Deadman Island was booming with seal activity. We stayed drift sailing in the current to Mummy Rocks where a bald eagle was being continually dive bombed by gulls. Checking out an eagles nest on Long Island we drifted in glassy reflective waters of the southern coves before rounding the island and sailing out to Salmon Bank.

Today we found 3 minke whales foraging and were able to drift-sail quietly watching as they surfaced around us. As the tide turned to flood current we came in to Whale Rocks where we’re seeing the first of the steller sea lions return from their long swim from the Queen Charlotte Islands breeding grounds.

Our return route followed the Lopez shoreline with a sail from Big Rock across the channel, on to Turn Island Pass and back to Friday Harbor though the South entrance.