Whale Watching in the San Juan Islands of Washington State

We have had a string of weather that has been amazing and looks as if it is going to be around for awhile. Sun and whales,  what a combination!

We’ve been seeing J pod with a subgroup of K pod (K 13 family) mixed in since early May. They have been in the routine of traveling around San Juan County feeding, resting allot and traveling. Two days ago the subgroup of K pod left J pod and travelled west out to the Pacific. On Tuesday, J pod also went west towards the Pacific. This is a normal routne in their behavior. They tend to be excellent managers of their resource (salmon). Instead of staying in the same location feeding and cleaning out the area, they move on and come back after the area has been replenished with returning salmon.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see K and L pod with the J’s when then come back to the islands. It’s about that time when we see all the southern residents back here. Could be today!

We haven’t had many trips in the last two weeks. The island is very quiet which is typical for this time of year. It gives us the time we need to work on the boats.  The weather has cooperated with sun and warm temperatures. Today is the first overcast day in a while.

We are still seeing Steller sea lions but not in the numbers from early April. We had an elephant seal (3000 lbs) off Turn Point that could care less about our presence. His large head was sticking above the surface with eyes closed snoozing away.

We should  start seeing the resident orca whales any day. Up until now there has not been any word of their whereabouts, not along the coast or out at sea. I expect to be getting a phone call soon announcing from our whale sighting network that the whales are back.

On Wednesday we had four minke whales in one area. That’s a welcome sight along with some other signs of summer coming.

                                     minke whale