Support Orca Network - Webshop & Membership

Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Stranding Network

Related Resources  & Links

NEW Federal
Orca - Vessel Law

Be Whale Wise

WA State Vessel Law

Whales and Dolphins BC

So. Residents at Alden Bank (between Bellingham and Vancouver) going North.
Capt. James Maya

Maia of WA State Ferries called at 9 am to report a pod of 15 -20 orcas in Rosario Strait, reported by the Elwha, as they were coming out of the San Juan Islands into the traffic lanes headed into Anacortes. The pod was traveling northbound.

6:23pm - Killer whales off the Kingston ferry right now headed North. One group of 3 traveling together- two bigger one small. At least one male traveling separate from them.
Adrianne Akmajian

6PM - they were between the oil docks and the Edmonds Ferry terminal, about 1/3rd of the way across from the east side. Slowly working their way north. Saw 3 breaches, a number of spy hops and tail flapping. Estimate about 15-20 individuals.
Casey Burns

5:55pm - Resting line Connie reported is gorgeous! Line was approx 25 whales at one point and were traveling a bit west of mid channel. Other trailers numbering 3-6 including large male more east of mid channel. These groups slowed around Kingston and huddled up after having porpoised their way northbound spread out up the central Sound. Trailers passing Kingston/Pt Wells as sun drops behind clouds.
Alisa Lemire Brooks

5:53 - Marina Park in Edmonds seeing them way out across the channel. All I can see are blows but what a beautiful evening. northbound still.
Sara Hysong-Shimazu

5:47 - seem to have formed up into a resting line just south of Point Wells. Very slowly moving north.
5:08 - orcas visible south of Kingston heading north a a steady pace. Mid channel or east of mid channel. Only seeing blows and splashes.
Connie Bickerton

Resting line forms just south of Point Wells. Photo by Connie Bickerton

Resting line continues moving slowly northward. Photo by Connie Bickerton

A spyhop as a resting line forms. Photo by Connie Bickerton

A breach signals the end of a resting formation. Photo by Connie Bickerton

5:45 - they were heading north between Kingston and Edmonds.
Kandi Delos Santos

5:45 - Big group of whales have joined each other and are moving thru the nets as a tight knit group. Still south of ferry line but north of yellow mid channel buoy.
5:32 - Whales are approaching Kingston ferry line and seiners nets. They are heading north.
Dianne Dee Iverson

5:35 - Few still visible south of yellow channel buoy south of Kingston, mid channel, heading north. Can't count numbers, visible with binoculars from Lafayette on Bainbridge Is.
Jeff Jirsa

5:30 - a large contingent still in a gillnet minefield off Apple Tree Cove, shallow and near-constant blows. Hopefully they're just feeding and not getting tangled up.
5:15 - now getting dangerously close to several gill netters off Kingston. Hope they don't get too wrapped up.
4:55 - The leader is heading north 'tween Meadow Point and the Old Degaussing Station, closer to Kitsap side fetching Apple Tree Cove. Waaaay closer to the Kitsap side!
Ben Blankenship

5PM - Kingston! We are on President Point and a whole pod just went by northbound very close to shore. They were so close I could hear them spouting!
Chris Beamer Otterson

Off President pt about 5:00pm. Some of the whales are coming up to the nets. the nets are stretched east-west on this side of the channel. Photo by Joanne Graves

Our boat sighted 3 adult orcas on the Sound at 16:50 hrs. heading north. 17:00 hours - 8-10 adults hugging the shoreline on the Kitsap side over at Jefferson Beach. Photo by Noelle McNoodle

4:30 - Off Carkeek, closer to west side of sound. Breach and blows! Whoohoo! Northbound fast travel.
Bethany Ryals

4:24 - Just north of Faye, a few big breaches, still trending north.
Jen Walters

4:12 - spotted close to Bainbridge straight over from the north end of Golden Gardens.
Alison Bazeley

4:11 - We are seeing a lot from Faye Bainbridge. Still feeding. Heading toward Kingston.
3:19 - Whales visible from faye bainbridge. Heading north.
Dianne Dee Iverson

3:57 - Orcas off Fay Bainbridge!! Heading north ... Mid channel.
Cindy Campbell Russell

5:00 PM - Orcas sighted President Pt Rd Kingston. 2 pods, approximately 12 or so, heading north but what was concerning were the gill-net boats that had strung their nets across the sound except for mid channel the orcas were heading for the nets when one of the boats started to chase the one pod and he came extremely close to several of the orcas which was quite concerning. I wish they would stop gill netting in the sound for the safety of those beautiful animals.
Margaret Steen

3:45 - Viewing near Rolling Bay. Lots of foraging behavior. Should be able to see from Fay Bainbridge now. Spread out big time!
Susan Marie Andersson

Video I took tonight from Richmond Beach upon my return home after spending a meaningful and hopeful weekend with many good folks in Friday Harbor thinking about this struggling community of Southern Resident killer whales and the Salmon they depend for survival. Distant & therefore not clearest of quality but the beauty of their bonds and exhalations illuminated by the low sun makes for a sweet few minutes. http://youtu.be/jw0A8ZN2Rl0

The beauty of their bonds and exhalations illuminated by the low sun makes for a sweet few minutes. Video by Alisa Lemire Brooks

5:00 - from Kayu Kayu/Richmond Beach can see leaders west of mid channel and just north of yellow mid channel buoy. So between Kingston and Jefferson Head. Appears they've all/most moved west of mid channel more Kitsap side.
4:25 - from high point view north of Carkeek can see blows spread out still powering northbound across channel between us and Port Madison.
3:35 - Meadow Point/Golden Gardens can see blows, fins or bodies of easily 30 plus mid channel and to each side in a line northbound....south of directly west sightline Faye Bainbridge. Ed saw a breach
3:05 - from West Point/Discovery park watched one adult male. Northbound close to this side.
Alisa Lemire Brooks

3:30 - large group moving north past Murden Cove, Bainbridge.
Kim McCormick Osmond

3:36pm - Lots of blows visible from Sunset Hill (northwest corner of the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle). Coming up on the sailboats, heading north.
Megan Campbell-Miller

Saw them from Discovery park around 3!
Jennifer Riker

2:48 - coming into view from corner of valley rd and manitou beach rd on Bainbridge.
2:35 - watching from Murden cove on Bainbridge seeing them in line with downtown Seattle - foraging 7+ including at least two big males
Lynn Batson

Just spotted @14:31 6+ Orcinus orca from Magnolia bluff - closer to Bainbridge side. A few whales, including the two large males are moving closer to magnolia green buoy, but group is still widespread across the the sound. Activity varied from milling, slow travel, spy hops, and a few breaches.
Heather McRae Tabisola

Around 2:30 - northbound between Bainbridge and Discovery park/Shilsole.
Connie Bickerton

2:30 - just left Creosote, big male passing mouth of Eagle harbor heading north, very close to Bainbridge side with others further out mid channel.
Andrew Mason Greager

2:06 - Large pod moving north off of Wing Point (Eagle Harbor) on Bainbridge Island. At least 10.
Leah Boyan

Afternoon - I could see no fewer than 10, most likely more, Orcas moving north from my home above Shilshole Marina. The Orcas were at least two miles "out" headed towards Jefferson Head. Wonderful. A few breaches, mostly just cruzing along though. Boat traffic stopped except for the very large container ship.
Gary Littlefield

1:41 - Good size group mid channel north of Bainbridge ferry lane. Milling a bit but heading north. Sailboats right on top of em.
Andrew Mason Greager

1:39 - They were spread out appeared to be just hanging out if any direction maybe north but not obvious.
Rick JR Mayberry

1:33 - Just spotted slightly north of Blakely Rocks, from Bainbridge Ferry.
Lianne Morgan

October 26
1:30 - Orcas reported by Kayla Black near Restoration Point, Bainbridge Island, mostly milling and foraging, but trending northward.

1:06 - At Rockaway - can see dorsal fins in front of the sailboat near Alki.
Kerry Carson

1:43 - the group of at least 8 are heading north approaching Eagle harbor.
1:04 - The group I saw an hour ago is back in the same spot, off of Rockaway beach on Bainbridge just south of coastguard marker. Crazy!
12:14 - I just saw four. 2 males, 2 females milling and slowly drifting south from my house above Rockaway. Just went out of view. This may be a big group!
I saw the four at 11:50-12. Out of view south just after that, but you'd be able to see them from Rockaway- I just have a big tree in my way. The were def. closer to Bainbridge.
I was watching from the beach from 10:15-11:15 and saw them spread out, the leaders of the group south of Alki lighthouse and a male back by Magnolia. Was surprised to see them again. It's really choppy so it's hard to track. They could have turned back or I think there's a good chance that it's a big group spread out...
Heather Polverino

11:43 - We have eyes on at least one fin from Beach Dr! Right in front of the Bermerton ferry.
Emily Coté

11:14 - Over by the light house (west end of Alki). Saw two dorsal fins before the rain squall rolled in.
Anne Kurt

Large pod of orcas seen off south side of Hyatt ferry during 11:10 am sailing from Bremerton to Seattle. Large pod observed swimming rapidly southward. No breach behaviors observed in the rough open water, seen by passengers, crew of Hyatt Ferry.
Sheila Guizzetti

11:02 - Just realized not the same ferry. I saw one midway between Anacortes and Friday Harbor!
Rachel Shaver

11 am - Whales just passed in front of the ferry near Bainbridge heading south.
Lisa Lutz Kniginyzky

10:35am - Orcas sighted mid sound from Bainbridge ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge stopped mid sound to watch what appeared to be a full pod with both young and old whales. At least 6 to 8 whales visible, but difficult to count. Several Spy Hops!
Rusty Lhamon

10:40 - Maia of WA State Ferries called to report 4 or 5 orca mid-channel in the Seattle/Bainbridge ferry lane, moving slowly  south.

It sounds like this is a pretty big group. Granny's clan leading as far south as Fauntleroy about 12:15 when I stopped watching.
It's just after noon and they are approaching Fauntleroy now. Very hard to see from Bainbridge though. Still widely spread out, but moving slowly southward.
11:00 - Seattle side now. Very spread out and foraging. Moving slowly south, J2 in lead. L87 hanging out near Hanjin ship.
10:47 - Okay, got em. Mid channel-- Argosy with them
10:30 - Bainbridge side- Rockaway. ferry riders should get good look. Some foraging. It's so blustery out here! Hard to see. At 10:30 I saw one breach in front of Space Needle. Can't find now.
Susan Marie Andersson

Dave Carney of the Victoria Clipper reported 5 - 6 orcas southbound in the north-bound traffic lanes right off Shilshole (Ballard/N of Seattle) heading south.

9:45 am - there have been a couple pretty tight in on the Bainbridge side as they approach Skiff point headed south.
9:35am - Just spotted one passing West Point lighthouse mid channel headed south - looking for more.
Lynn Batson

0850 .. Currently watching Orcas straight out from Fay Bainbridge Park, Bainbridge Island .. mid-channel. LOTS of surface activity but very little breaching and spy hopping. Slowly drift southwards. They are in front of a large white ship that is staying back from them but observing.
Tim Cuddy

4:50 - seeing a couple from Kingston ferry terminal.
Travis Miller

4:20 pm - Roxanne Dalla Pozza called to report a good sized pod, including young ones, was sighted 1/4 miles south of the Eglon boat ramp (near Kingston) heading south between Eglon & Kingston.

3:40-4 - one very large male - heading south from Point No Point, very fast rate of speed. No longer visible here.
Diane Russell

Good job Steve Smith and Durand Dace- it was cold and very wet at PNP but we were SO BLESSED with Orcas swimming south at a good clip in small groups of 2-4, a porpoise pod, harbor seals, and a river otter. Did anyone catch a clear photo of the large seabirds that were fishing about 50 yards off the beach? Trying to i.d., have not seen them before. I did not have my camera of course Nice to finally meet some fellow Orca enthusiasts in the field.
Donna Green Van Renselaar

3:22 - We're seeing whales at Point No Point.
Elyse Margaret

It was a rough, wet day at Point No Point, but for those who stuck around, it was well worth the wait and the wet! Photo by Durand Dace

Speed-swimming viewed from Point No Point. Photo by Steve Smith

Distant spyhop seen from Point No Point. Photo by Steve Smith

3:25 - I believe all or most orcas are now south of the Hood canal entrance, along the north shore of the Kitsap Peninsula between Foulweather Bluff (earning its name today!) and Point No Point. But the rain and clouds have taken over, can barely see the water now - hope they travel close to shore further south so we know what direction they go after they pass Pt. No Point!
2 pm - saw first orcas here off our place just south of Bush Pt - more reported by Jan Bell and Elsa Leavitt coming down from Bush Pt. Unfortunately pouring rain and diminishing visibility have arrived with the whales! But seeing lots of tail lobs,direction changes and foraging behavior - no wonder it has taken them so long to get down here! That is GREAT news, as it appears there are a lot of fish for them out there - yay!!
Susan Berta

L91 off the west side of Whidbey, from Bush Pt. Photo by Rachel Haight

L91 and L82 heading south past Bush Point, Whidbey Island. Photo by Rachel Haight

2:00 PM - Orca off Whidbey Island. Spotted about 25-30 orcas early afternoon off Lagoon Pt. moving south. Looks like they were just traveling and playing. Some breaching. Widely distributed across sound.
Roxane Webb

What a treat! A graceful parade of Southern Resident orcas in Admiralty Inlet today. We saw porpoising, spy-hops, numerous resounding tail-slaps, breaches and waving pecs as they made their way steadily south past Lagoon Point around 12:30 pm, some in small groups, others a little more spread out, with a few foraging stops along the way. Good to see so many people enjoying the magnificent spectacle of our iconic whales in the wild, hopefully finding plenty of food on their travels.
Sandra Pollard, Whidbey Island

Southern Resident orcas moving south past Lagoon Point. Photo by Sandra Pollard

11:14 - Just spotted them....their just north of the lighthouse at Fort Casey......maybe 3/4 of a mile off shore.
Dan Gulden

12:07 - There are orcas spread out all over....it's crazy! Even some breaching.
11:03 - Mark Ripley at Ebey's Landing on Whidbey Island sees quite a few orcas just entering Admiralty Inlet, heading south near Pt. Wilson, north of Port Townsend.

9:08 - Approx 20 Orcas @ 9 am between Pt. partridge and Ebey's Landing heading south...spread out ~ 1-2 miles from shore.
Al Luneman

Between 8:00-8:40am - Orca Sighting-Libbey Beach Area. Spotted 30+ Orcas traveling south in the area just north of Libbey Beach/Point Partridge.
Brenda Dewey

J31 south of Race Rocks. Photo by Mark Malleson

Hello everyone I thought I would share this awesome pic I took on 10/21 off the Seattle/Bainbridge ferry! Hope you folks enjoy! Photo by Quinton Jackson

5:00 PM - 2 Orca sighted in Puget Sound from the Seattle to Bainbridge WSF (16:40 sailing), traveling, breaching, playing
Glen Walton

It was such an intense day! It really felt like fall out there.....choppy seas, cold wind, baker covered in snow and, of course, WHALES! Got to hang out with none other than my favourite group of Biggs, the T137's with the T36A's right outside of Active Pass, in the Strait of Georgia. They spent most of the encounter hunting a seal. The matriarchs and the big guy, T137A, stayed out for the most part and let the kids do the work. It was amazing to see the school of carnage take place before our eyes.
Gary Sutton, Wild Whales Vancouver

T137A & Mt. Baker. Photo by Gary Sutton

T137D and friends. Photo by Gary Sutton

Headstand. Photo by Gary Sutton

3:17 - Just saw four or five transient orcas from the ferry! They made a kill at the north end of Decatur Island.
Melisa Pinnow

2:54 - Few spouts spotted on the Chelan about fifteen minutes outside of Anacortes! (in Rosario Strait)
Danielle Vance

ABOUT ORCA NETWORK  
Orca Network is a 501 c3 nonprofit organization, dedicated to raising awareness about the whales of the Pacific Northwest, and the importance of providing them healthy and safe habitats.
Orca Network's Whale Sighting Network involves citizens in helping researchers track the movement of whales, and encourages people to observe whales from their homes, businesses, ferries, and beaches.
Whale reports are sent in to our Sighting Network and emailed out to researchers, agencies, and citizens on our network, and posted on our website (MAP of sightings also on website). Whale reports and observations are sent in by a variety of sources, and Orca Network does not guarantee the accuracy of any report or whale identification.

 

TO REPORT WHALES, CALL: 1-866-ORCANET (1-866-672-2638), email info@orcanetwork.org, or post sightings on our Orca Network Facebook page.

 

*BE WHALE WISE! BOATERS - NEW FEDERAL REGULATIONS IN EFFECT AS OF MAY 16, 2011:

 "The new rules prohibit vessels from approaching any killer whale closer than 200 yards and forbid vessels from intercepting a whale or positioning the vessel in its path. This doubles the current approach distance of 100 yards. The rules go into effect May 16 and apply to all types of boats, including motor boats, sail boats and kayaks, in Washington"

 

For more information on the new Federal Regulations, visit the NOAA Fisheries website. 

 

 
To report harassment of whales in US waters, call NOAA Enforcement: 1-800-853-1964;

In Canadian waters, call DFO's Observe Record and Report (ORR) Violations Hotline: 1-800- 465-4336

Report the boat name &/or a description of the boat, & get photos if at all possible.