May 12, 2024 – Our morning started with an email from our previous passengers seeing orcas breaching off the south end of Shaw Island while on the ferry. We shifted our sail earlier and sailed north and through the Wasp Islands meeting the orcas in West Sound. The orcas were Biggs/Transient orcas known as the T124A’s. The orcas took Pole Pass towards the south side of Jones Island wrapping around into President Channel against strong current. Winds picked up for some close hauled sailing north of the Orcas Island shoreline where we left them. Finished our trip with a fast sail back on the ebb current. A gorgeous day with some great sailing.
Sea plan taking off from Friday Harbor
Mt Baker
Bald eagle outside of Friday Harbor
Our passengers and new crew member, Carly, enjoying the sail
Harbor seal hauled out by Shirt Tail Reef
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s exiting West Sound, Orcas Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s exiting West Sound, Orcas Island
Youngest calf in the T124A family (designated as T124A1A but traveling with T124A4)
Matriarch T124A
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s excitedly headed for Pole Pass against the tide
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s excitedly headed for Pole Pass against the tide
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s passing Reef Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s headed north towards Jones Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s headed north towards Jones Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s headed north towards Jones Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s headed north towards Jones Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s headed north towards Jones Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s traveling beside Jones Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s traveling beside Jones Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s traveling beside Jones Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s traveling beside Jones Island
Biggs/Transient orca T124A4 and youngest member in the family
T124A4 with T124A4A
Biggs/Transient orca T124A4 and youngest member in the family designated as T124A1A
Biggs/Transient orca T124A with Jones Island State Park
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s traveling near Jones Island
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s traveling near Jones Island
Sailing whale watching
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s headed up President Channel while socializing
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s headed up President Channel while socializing
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s headed up President Channel while socializing
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s headed up President Channel while socializing
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s headed up President Channel while socializing
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s headed up President Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s headed up President Channel
Biggs/Transient orcas T124A’s headed up President Channel
Cactus Island, Stuart Island and Salt Spring Island
Fast close-hauled sailing down Spring Passage
Route map 5/12/24