Southern Resident Orcas at Turn Pt and Biggs Orcas T18's with T65B's near Yellow Island

September 15, 2021 – After picking up our passengers from Orcas Island we headed for Turn Point, Stuart Island, with the hopes to see the Southern Resident orcas. All three pods were present northbound in Haro Strait and we were trying to catch up before they crossed into Canada. Just as we arrived to Turn Point, members from J pod flipped back south and went by in loose groups back the way they came. Meanwhile, we could see K’s and L’s up in the distance headed for Swanson Channel on their way to the Fraser River. It was so special getting the chance to see them.

After we watched them all go by we continued our sail along the Stuart coastline and down through Johns Pass. We enjoyed a sail drifting in New Channel and over to Flattop Island.

A group of Biggs/Transient orcas known as the T18’s and the T65B’s were between Shaw and Orcas Island traveling westbound so we headed that way to meet them. From West Sound we watched as the group traveled through the Wasp Islands with a pit stop to hunt near Yellow Island. One harbor seal was being pursued, but to our surprise (and probably his) the orcas let him live as they swam away. Close call! Today we also heard both Resident and Biggs vocals on our hydrophone. Epic day!

Note all orca photos are heavily cropped to show details.