All Aboard Sailing

Fantastic Minke Whale encounter at MacArthur Bank

By allaboardsailing@yahoo.com September 13, 2023 Half Day Sail, Sailing with Minke Whales, Sailing with whales
September 13, 2023 – Going South on a flood tide so we stayed close to shore and cut through Turn island Pass. Mirror calm waters, a racoon on the beach and harbor seals resting and warming in the morning sun. Quite a few great blue herons along the Lopez beach and coastline, starfish on the rocks near Deadman Island and a good many Steller sea lions hauled out at Whale Rocks.
After passing Long Island we moved out to McArthur Banks and found a Minke whale travelling between bait balls marked by birds and foraging. It was fun to watch as the Minke surface in the mirror waters with the view across the straits to the Olympic mountains.
Still flooding to the North we caught the current for a fast ride back passed Whale Rocks and up the channel. The wind picked up as we neared Turn island for a fun close hauled fast sail tacking at Shaw Island to sail all the way to Friday Harbor. Our passengers today included a young racing sailer and a sprightly 98 year old lady – both were an honour to sail with.

Raccoon on Turn Island

Turn Island

Harbor seals hauled out by Reef Pt, San Juan Island

Harbor seal fast asleep

Harbor seals hauled out by Reef Pt, San Juan Island

Harbor seals hauled out by Reef Pt, San Juan Island

Harbor seals hauled out by Danger Rock, San Juan Island

Pretty sailboat anchored by Lopez Island

Great blue heron coming in for a landing

Great blue heron

Great blue heron on Deadman Island

Great blue heron and harbor seals on Deadman Island

Harbor seals fast asleep on Deadman Island

Harbor seal fast asleep on Deadman Island

Harbor seal fast asleep on Deadman Island

Harbor seals resting on Deadman Island

Ochre sear star on Lopez Island

Purple Ochre sear star on Lopez Island

Steller Sea Lions on Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands

Steller Sea Lions on Whale Rocks, San Juan Islands

Forest on Long Island with old man’s beard

Minke whale near MacArthur Bank

Minke whale near MacArthur Bank with Olympic Mountains

Minke whale near MacArthur Bank

Minke whale near MacArthur Bank

Minke whale near MacArthur Bank

Minke whale near MacArthur Bank

Minke whale near MacArthur Bank

Harbor seals hanging out in the water

Minke whale foraging on MacArthur Bank

Minke whale foraging on MacArthur Bank

Minke whale surfacing

Minke whale in the Salish Sea

Minke whale in the Salish Sea

Minke whale with Olympic Mountains

Minke whale with Olympic Mountains

Minke whale in the Salish Sea

Minke whale in the Salish Sea

Minke whale with a high arch before a deep dive

Minke whale near MacArthur Bank with Olympic Mountains

Minke whale surfacing

Minke whale surfacing

Minke whale surfacing

Minke whale surfacing

Minke whale milling on MacArthur Bank

Minke whale milling on MacArthur Bank

Minke whale milling on MacArthur Bank

Minke whale milling on MacArthur Bank

Minke whale milling on MacArthur Bank

Minke whale dorsal fin right side

Minke whale dorsal fin right side

Steller Sea Lions at Whale Rocks

Steller Sea Lions at Whale Rocks

Young passenger sailing the boat like a champ!

Young passenger sailing the boat like a champ!

Our awesome 98 year old passenger!

Route map 9/13/23

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