Updates from San Juan Outfitters HQ: The MV Sea Hawk is back in the water after a successful annual haul out. Coast Guard Inspections are complete, and some upgrades in equipment should increase our fuel efficiency and speed for the remainder of the 2008 season, and into 2009.

Our scheduled kayak tour today was cancelled due to heavy rain, and an incoming front which is predicted to bring us more rain and wind. Tomorrow's forecast is better with only 30% chance...

Mid November is time for boat maintenance. Sea Hawk is out of the water for our annual Coast Guard Inspection, and routine maintenance. We hauled out this morning in 35mph winds in Bellingham. The weather has cleared, which makes boat yard life a little nicer. We're planning on being back in the water early next week following our inspection, and will be prepared for tours during the last two weeks of November.

Whale sightings have continued into the fall....

Captain's Log October 26th
We were lucky (Kendall my naturalist and myself) to have some fall travelers interested in whale watching on a beautiful, sunny, clear and cool fall day yesterday. We were even more fortunate that my friend Ivan called to let me know he had spotted our Resident K-Pod off the west side of San Juan Island, headed north towards our home port at Roche Harbor. By the time we had left the harbor, the whales had traveled all the way up to Open...

Well, the leaves are changing, the air is growing cooler and the sun is setting earlier-- that must mean that fall is here! It's been a great summer of paddling here, and we're not done yet.

Although our regular season ends this weekend, San Juan Outfitters will continue to be available by reservation for both kayaking and whale watch trips through Thanksgiving and maybe later. We will be offering 3-hour, 5-hour and multi-day sea kayak trips along with wildlife...

Last week I set off on a multi-day trip with some expert fishermen in tow. Although I grew up in Portland, Maine I don't know much about seafood and was happy to soak in what they shared. As we paddled, Cindy and Carl let out some line and occasionally felt some tugs. The most successful spots were right off some beds of bull kelp, and they caught all kinds of rockfish there.
Early on the morning of day two (before the others were up), Carl and I paddled out to the...

A few times within the past weeks I've spotted a Steller sea lion out on the west side of Henry Island! (At least, I've only ever seen one at a time, so I'm assuming it's a lone creature, but there could be more...) They are easily identified because of their huge size, light flecked coloration and distinct movement. Compared to harbor seals they have a much more elongated face, long whiskers and those external ears are a dead giveaway. Adult male Steller sea lions...

I recently set off on another multi-day trip, but this one wasn't like the last. It was our first Inn to Inn trip, which meant we kayaked by day, but slept in warm and luxurious beds at night!
Darren, Marrin and I set off and spent the day paddling, hiking and generally exploring the area (and also came up with lots of wild ideas as to what was behind a door carved into stone) and then headed over to Orcas Island for the night. From our boats it was a short walk up...

It is yet another gorgious day here in Roche Harbor! Moderate temperatures, blue skies, and a super-pod just outside the harbor. Our whale watch boat, Sea Hawk, is currently with various members of J,K, and L Pod just north of Battleship island. As Margo mentioned in a previous post, seeing a Super Pod is an absolute treat! Because it is a time to socialize and mate, these orcas display a variety of behaviors that truly are captivating and awe-inspiring. Our 5 hr...

It was a good day out on the whale watching boat today. Our dock hand, Nick, got off early and went on our 11:00 AM departure out of Roche Harbor. He returned to the dock pumped about the trip, he said the trip was "fantastic!"

There were rumors that we had a "superpod" which is a treat to be able to see. A superpod occurs when J, K, and L-Pod join together to socialize and mate. In cases like this, there could be close to 90 whales in an fairly small area!...