Biggs/Transient Orcas T36A's in President Channel

July 15, 2023 – After leaving Friday Harbor we headed north to sail up President Channel on account of a family of orcas known as the T36A’s traveling southwest west of Sucia Island. In the Wasp Islands we passed by a large group of harbor seals resting on Bird Rock. After exiting Spring Pass we sailed alongside the steep forested coastline of Orcas Island.

The orcas were headed our way so we took our time with a relaxing sail enjoying the beautiful day. We met the whales near Mail Bay, Waldron Island, and watched the family as they paralleled the Waldron coastline. As they reached the bottom of President Channel the orcas began tread milling in place against the flood tide.

We decided to break away and check out some other favorite places including Pt Disney, White Rock and Flattop Island. At White Rock there were so many harbor seals including several newborn pups. We spotted two tiny newborn gull chicks as well. One of the chicks was hiding in the shadow of its parent and the other quickly moved into a shadowed crease in the rock to hide after mom flew off. At Flattop Island we found more harbor seals with pups and a few bald eagles. One of the eaglets was peering out of its nest. As we made our way down San Juan Channel we had a fast close-hauled sail heeling with the wind.