All Aboard Sailing

Humpback whale BCX1602 “Lorax” and the outer islands

May 16, 2023 – Today we picked up our passengers from Orcas Island and thought it would be fun to circumnavigate Orcas Island. As we were near the top of Spring Pass a humpback whale was spotted near Flattop Island heading North. It was identified as BCX1602 “Lorax”.

We had some great views of the whale and then continued our journey to sail around the outer islands: Patos, Sucia, Matia, Puffin, Barnes and Clark. Winds really picked up south of Lawrence Pt giving us a fast close-hauled sail by the Pea Pod Rocks. Cut through Obstruction Pass and made our way back to the Orcas Ferry Landing. A gorgeous trip!

Sailing through Pole Pass

Currents running in Pole Pass

Bald eagle on Orcas Island

Harbor seals on White Rock

Humpback whale BCX1602 “Lorax”

Humpback whale BCX1602 “Lorax”

Humpback whale BCX1602 “Lorax”

Humpback whale BCX1602 “Lorax” with Monarch Head in the distance

Humpback whale BCX1602 “Lorax” tail flukes

Mt Baker

Alden Pt Lighthouse, Patos Island

Patos Island

Bald eagle nest by Patos Island

Patos Island coastline

Heart shaped cutout in the sandstone

Harbor seal yawning on Patos Island

Bald eagles on Patos Island

Sailing towards Sucia Island

Bald eagle nest on Sucia Island

Harbor seals on Sucia Island

Steller sea lion near Sucia Island

Sailing around the outside of Sucia Island

Harbor seals on Clements Reef

Sailing in paradise

Sailing around Matia Island

Sailing through the gap by Matia Island

Sailing around Matia Island

Harbor seals hauled out

Pair of bald eagles

Harbor seals hauled out by Puffin Island

Puffin Island

Puffin Island

Puffin Island with Mt Baker

Bald eagle with crow on the Sister Islands

Sailing down the coast of Orcas Island towards Lawrence Pt

Bald eagle nest on Orcas Island

Close-hauled sail to Obstruction Pass

River otter by Orcas Ferry Landing

Black oystercatchers in sunset light

Looking towards Sentinel Island during sunset

Tip of Yellow Island with sunset

Route map 5/16/23