June 24, 2011

We left Victoria Harbour with reports that there were orca whales on Rosario Straight. It was a ways away, but we were determined to get to the whales! The seas were a bit rough but the Orca Spirit boat is excellent at cutting through the waves! We passed the southern tip of San Juan Island, WA and headed around Lopez Island and to our pleasure we spotted whales! The J-pod family was spread out and moving VERY fast! We cruised along side Onyx (L-87) and two graceful females. Onyx is a member of L-pod that has been traveling with J-pod for several months now. It seems he is charming the ladies and does not want to go home! Good news for the southern resident population though, we need all the new calves we can get! The population is listed as endangered in both Canada and the United States, with just 87 members. Some guests screamed with awe when Onyx breached right out of the water! Very exciting! As we left the area, all on board enjoyed the beautiful coastlines of the San Juan Islands.