Take a look outside your window and it’s easy to see why our whale watching trips have been so magical these past few weeks. With unusually warm weather predicted to continue over the course of the whale watching season, we’re expecting even more enchanting tours to come.
So far we’ve seen an abundance of resident and transient orcas, a record-breaking number of humpback whales, and even heard reports of an enormous yet elusive fin whale roaming the Salish waters. Our very own onboard naturalist Stephanie Raymond her special whale report for this past Monday.
“Despite a little fog this morning, we had a great day today. There were lots of eagles and harbor seals to see as we traveled through Skagit Bay and Deception Pass; as we entered the narrow part of the pass, one bald eagle dove right in front of us to harass a gull on the water. The eagle flew up again right along our port side, a great up-close look for our passengers!”
“The seabirds were especially active and vocal today, common murre calls accompanied our viewing of the K12 and K13 families of southern resident killer whales on the west side of San Juan Island. The whales were foraging and very active; K25 Scooter thrilled us by “sharking” (skimming just beneath the surface of the water with the tip of his dorsal fin sticking up) right in front of the boat.”
“More and more Steller sea lions are appearing on Whale Rocks in Cattle Pass, and today there were joined by a very vocal flock of black oystercatchers. On our southbound trip, we spotted a humpback whale off of Point Wilson Lighthouse, a nice treat on our way back to Seattle.”
Our seats are selling fast for our last couple months of whale watching excursions. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to pay a visit to the “real locals,” now’s your chance. The whales are waiting!
