Friendly Canada!

Once again we turned our bow towards Victoria and Canada today. The orcas, J pod to be exact, were at the Victoria Harbor heading east in a resting pattern. Capt. Craig tried to give them some time to swim to us by stopping to view other wildlife, but the orcas were swimming too slowly and we needed to be making better time. So he jumped on the throttle and away we flew along the south end of San Juan Island and across Haro Strait. There were a few minutes of indecision when an unknown boat reported orcas at the Lime Kiln Point Lighthouse, but another whale watch boat was able to determine that it was Dall's porpoises. Canada was still the way to go and luckily, we were still headed in that direction.

We arrived at Discovery and Obstruction Islands to find that all of J pod was tightly grouped together and traveling towards San Juan Island. They made several direction changes, as if they were unsure about which way they wanted to go around the two small islands. But that worked out well for us, because we had many excellent photo opportunities. Mt. Baker loomed large in the background and the whole pod surfaced together several times with breathtaking scenery in the distance. It was a stunning afternoon spent with the orcas and really confirmed that September is the best month to be in the islands.

As the orcas finally came around Obstruction Island, we were arrested by the sight of San Juan Island in the strait. The orcas made their way up and across Haro Strait, so we thanked Canada for its hospitality and bid the orcas adieu. It was a wonderful day to share with our guests and as always Lauren was a treat to crew with.

So, from all of us at San Juan Safaris, to all of you world travelers out there, thank you and we will...

See You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist


Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©

5:30 sunset whale watch tour Tuesday July 16, 2009

Captain Craig just gave me the lowdown about last evenings whale watching tour.

The Resident Killer whale "L" pod (or part of the pod) were viewed last evening on our 5:30 sunset whale watching tour. The boat took off about 5:30. At that point the orca whales were about 3 miles east of Sooke in Canada heading east - our way. When we caught up to them they were near Discovery Island.

Captain Craig said the water by Discovery Island was a bit choppy, but and hour or so into the tour the water had layed down.


The guests had very good looks at 4 of the orcas. More orca were seen from a distance. The whales kept coming east - so that by the end of the tour the boat was near San Juan Island again. Even though we had to travel a good distance, we were still back at the dock around 8:30 pm.




Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©