Click to Call
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Trip Advisor
  • Yelp
  • Explore the San Juan Islands
  • Prepare for Your Kayak Tour
  • Blog

Outdoor Odysseys Kayak Tours

  • Sea Kayak Tours
    • All Sea Kayak Tours
    • Day/Night Tours
    • Multi-Day Tours
    • Specialty Tours
    • Custom & Private Tours
  • About Us
    • About Outdoor Odysseys
    • Giving Back
    • Careers
    • Our Guides
    • Food & Amenities
    • Reviews & Press
    • Cancellation Policy
  • Explore the San Juan Islands
  • Prepare for Your Kayak Tour
  • Contact Us
  • Blog

San Juan Island Kayaking Blog

August 8, 2012

Whales, Whales, Whales!

It’s been an exciting week here on San Juan Island, with orcas and a few humpbacks making appearances off the coast of San Juan! This past Saturday, August 5, visitors to the west side of the island were treated to a rare showing by a humpback whale headed north through Haro Strait. One of our groups of kayakers, who had launched from the San Juan County Park early on Saturday morning for the first day of a two-day whale camp, saw the whale just before noon on Saturday as it came close to shore around Hannah Heights. A little later in the day and a ways north of there, the guests on our Eagles & Orcas day trip saw the same whale breach further offshore around Lime Kiln State Park. One of our guides, Magda Balise, who was leading the two-day tour on Saturday, said that this was the first time she’d seen a humpback out here in her six years of guiding for Outdoor Odysseys.

In other news, our resident orca whales, who had been noticeably absent from the area for number of weeks, returned to the west side of San Juan Island on Monday morning, delighting tourists and islanders alike. The whales, mainly members of J Pod, have been out on the west side for two days now, and are hopefully here to stay. On Monday, the J Pod added a new member to its group: J-49, the as-yet-unchristened baby of Hy’shqa, J-37, and great-great granddaughter of J-2, commonly known as “Granny.” With all of the recent activity in the area, it’s easy for our guests to see why we love  the San Juan Islands! Come sea kayaking with us as we start edging into the lovely September shoulder season here in the islands…

Thanks for reading and find more about our San Juan Island Kayak Tours!

Filed Under: San Juan Island Sea Life

Previous Post
Next Post

Primary Sidebar

We’re on Instagram!

We had such a fun training day, going on the San J We had such a fun training day, going on the San Juan Island Trolley tour of the island. Our guides got to learn about some of the history and see the sights. With this and our training at The Center for Whale Research last week, we’re ready to talk history, sights, and wildlife with guests on our sea kayak tours!
Follow on Instagram

Subscribe to the Blog

Categories

  • General
  • In the Press
  • Kayak Jokes and Humor
  • San Juan Island Kayaking
  • San Juan Island Sea Life
  • San Juan Island Wildlife
  • Sea Kayaking Recipes

Search

Recent Posts

  • Disconnect to Reconnect: Embracing Nature in the San Juan Islands
  • REI Adventures and Outdoor Odysseys
  • A Case for Kayaking: Wildlife Observation
  • Wildflower Season in the San Juan Islands
  • Passing the “Special Ops” Torch

Archives

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Trip Advisor
  • Yelp

Footer

  • Explore the San Juan Islands
  • Orca Whales & Wildlife
  • Lodging, Dining & Transportation
  • Island Activities
  • Prepare for Your Trip
  • Giving Back
  • Travel to San Juan Island
  • Packing for your Kayaking Tour
  • Kayaking FAQs
  • General Trip FAQs
  • Outdoor Odysseys Sea Kayaking
  • 86 Cedar Street
  • Friday Harbor, WA 98250
  • 360-378-3533
  • paddle@outdoorodysseys.com
  • Privacy Policy
  • Digital Gift Cards
  • Subscribe to Our Newsletter

© 2025 Outdoor Odysseys. All Rights Reserved.

Choose Your Sea Kayak Tour

I need more info!
Create A Custom Trip