July 27, 2023 – On our sail today we headed south because there was a family of Biggs/Transient orcas (the T34’s and T37’s) moving northwest from the top of MacArthur Bank. We took the pretty narrow pass on the inside of Turn Island finding lots of harbor seals hauled out on the rocks from Pear Point to Danger Rock. We used the engine and motor sailed coming inside of Griffin Bay to avoid the strong flooding current coming up the channel. At Goose Island we found more harbor seals hauled out, cormorants and many gulls with growing chicks. The orcas had moved quickly and were now headed up the westside of San Juan Island. We caught up to the T34’s as they were milling north of Eagle Point. The T37’s eventually came in from offshore to head up island closer to shore joining the T34’s. After some really nice views we spun around and came back via Whale Rocks to see the Steller sea lions. We made our way back up San Juan Channel and came back through Turn Island Pass.
Mt Baker viewed from south entrance to Friday Harbor
Adorable passenger posing for a photo on the bow
Sailing around Turn Island
Harbor seals hauled out on the rocks near Pear Point, San Juan Island
Harbor seals hauled out on Danger Rock, San Juan Islands
Harbor seals hauled out in the San Juan Islands
Bald eagle on San Juan Island overlooking Goose Island
Harbor seals hauled out on Goose Island
Cormorants on Goose Island
Orca spy hop
Sailing with Biggs/Transient orcas T34’s
Sailing with Biggs/Transient orcas T34’s
Sailing with Biggs/Transient orcas T34’s
Sailing with Biggs/Transient orcas T34’s
Sailing with Biggs/Transient orcas T34’s
Sailing with Biggs/Transient orca T34
Sailing with Biggs/Transient orcas T34’s
Sailing with Biggs/Transient orcas T34’s
Sailing with Biggs/Transient orcas T34’s
Sailing with Biggs/Transient orcas T34’s
Biggs/Transient orca T37
Biggs/Transient orcas T37B with T37B3
Biggs/Transient orcas T37B with T37B3
Biggs/Transient orca T37B1
Biggs/Transient orcas T37B’s
Biggs/Transient orca T37B1
Biggs/Transient orcas T37 with T37B1
Leaping salmon
Biggs/Transient orcas T34’s and T37’s heading up the westside of San Juan Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T34’s and T37’s heading up the westside of San Juan Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T34’s and T37’s heading up the westside of San Juan Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T34’s and T37’s heading up the westside of San Juan Island
Bald eagle fly by
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lion taking a dip
Steller sea lions snoozing on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks with Olympic Mountains
Steller sea lions on Whale Rocks with Olympic Mountains
Young passengers taking the helm to learn how to sail
Young passengers taking the helm to learn how to sail
Route map 7/27/23