August 29, 2024 – On our way to pick up passengers from Orcas Island we spotted the blow of a humpback whale moving down San Juan Channel abeam of Yellow Island. We came around Shaw Island and down Upright Channel with a mission to see Biggs/Transient orcas T49A’s (minus T49A1 and T49A2) who had been milling for over an hour near Fisherman’s Harbor, Lopez. The orcas had moved more mid channel and were milling socializing. T49A3 broke off from the group about 30 minutes before we arrived. Our passenger spotted him further south in Griffin Bay moving North. We also spotted the humpback again moving south in the distance. A large group of harbor porpoise surfaced all around us giving us a nice view. We heard the exhales of the orcas further north close to the San Juan Island shoreline as they were wrapping around Pear Pt. Hurrying to catch up we noticed all 5 orcas were together again. They continued close to shore taking the outside of Turn Island before hugging San Juan coastline around towards Brown Island. We departed and came back via Upright Channel cruising by Upright Head. Spectacular view of Mt Baker in sunset colours with a pink hue. Enjoyed a birthday celebration with our passengers in the sunset before dropping them off.
