Biggs/Transient orcas T46B1's with T46C2 followed by T49A1 near Stuart Island

September 27, 2024 – After casting off we headed north based on a report of orca milling by Sentinel Rock. We made fast progress up San Juan Channel and through New Channel north of Spieden Island. There were eight Steller sea lions hauled out on Green Pt and several others in New Channel. We also spotted several bald eagles, harbor seals, belted kingfishers, and harlequin ducks. The orcas had made their way through New Channel before we arrived and were wrapping around Johns Island and Stuart Island. We came up the south side of Stuart Island and met the orcas as they were southbound from Turn Point. It was a family of three known as the T46B1’s and they were with their relative T46C2 who was separate by about 1/2 mile. After a few surfacings the T46B1’s changed course to join T46C2 and together they headed northwest.

We broke away and aimed for Spieden Channel to meet another orca, T49A1. He had been spotted outside Friday Harbor moving north and turned into Spieden Channel where we met him. Together we traveled back along the south side of Stuart Island before breaking away to return via New Channel again. A few porpoise were in the channel as well as a large gathering of Bonaparte’s gulls. Cut in between the Cactus Islands and across to Flattop Island checking out more harbor seals. Continued down through the Wasp Islands and had a fun close-hauled sail across the channel to Pt Caution where we had a moment to celebrate a passenger’s birthday with a key lime pie. A perfect end to a perfect day.