Seeing two humpbacks as we sail around Orcas Island

August 1, 2020 – After hearing reports of a pair of humpback whales in Rosario Strait northbound between James Island and Anacortes we plotted a course inter-island to meet them. We started out towards Turn Island changing course to sail across the channel towards Shaw Island with the flood in our favor. Hugging Upright Head we admired the pretty, steep forested coastline, the eagle’s nest near the Lopez ferry landing and the amazing view as we headed towards Mt Baker.

As we exited Peavine Pass we found a large group of eagles circling in the air before flying down to land on the tree tops treating us to their cool vocals. The pair of humpback whales were near the Pea Pod Rocks and they were identified as MMX0014 “Nike” and BCX1068 “Split Flukes” 2019 calf “Halfpipe”. Prior to our arrival we heard on the radio that the whales were bopping around visiting some of the boats that were shut down watching them giving them an amazing story to share. When we arrived on scene the humpbacks had stopped mugging the boats and were pointed south in the strong flood current making little to no progress south like whales on a treadmill. We enjoyed spending some time with the whales and checking out the Pea Pod Rocks before continuing our journey up the Strait after hearing a report of Biggs/Transient orcas T99’s near Tumbo Island, BC.

Coming in close to Lawrence Pt we hugged the coastline admiring the bald eagles in the forest growing out of the rocky cliff while hearing an eagle chick intermittently calling. Branching off to The Sisters we found some great wildlife including phalaropes, pigeon guillemots, harbor seals, an adult bald eagle and a bald eagle chick with a back drop of Mt Baker. Harbor porpoise were scattered about playing in the current. We came around the east side of Clark Island, Matia Island and skirted the south side of Sucia Island. Unfortunately, the orcas we were hoping to see stayed on the Canadian side of the border close to Saturna Island.

We sailed towards Pt Doughty and hugged the gorgeous north coast of Orcas Island. The many shades of green shined brightly in the warm sunshine. The bald eagle chick we’ve watched for months was perched on the branch near his/her nest. Tacking our way down Spring Pass and San Juan Channel finished of with a really fun fast sail across the channel back to Friday Harbor. A really great trip circumnavigating Orcas Island with some fantastic wildlife.