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