Around Stuart Island and returning to Friday Harbor with Biggs Orca T49C

September 10, 2024 – We sailed north today on account of Biggs/Transient orcas south of Active Pass near the top of N Pender Island. Our route took us through New Channel, through the Cactus Islands and up through Ripple Island Pass passing many harbor seals hauled out on the rocks. The orcas (T19’s and T49A’s) who had been southeast in Navy Channel stalled and then flipped back northwest. Realizing that we wouldn’t catch them we changed course for Turn Pt, Stuart Island.

We spotted an osprey (second one we’ve seen near here recently), a peregrine falcon flying over Lovers Leap, a Steller sea lion checking us out, a bald eagle and Mouflon sheep mixed up with other sheep. As we were wrapping around the island another family of Biggs orcas were northbound in Haro Strait aiming for D’Arcy Island. We had thoughts to try our luck and go for it, but pointing into wind and chunky conditions with spray wasn’t exactly comfortable. Thankfully another orca, T49C, showed up by the Cactus Islands hunting in a route closer to home.

He too had been up by Active Pass earlier that morning. As we were just about 2 1/2 miles out he started moving southeast very quickly – about 8 knots. Still we pressed on hoping he’d slow enough for us to catch him being that our speed was about 7 1/2 knots. His went southbound in San Juan Channel close to shore. We were relieved to catch up to him by Mineral Point and had some awesome views as he took us right back INTO Friday Harbor. He cruised by boats at anchor and traveled behind Brown Island exiting the south entrance to the harbor. Third times a charm when it came to seeing orca today!