72 Microseasons of the Pacific Northwest

The southern resident killer whales (Orcinus orca) — a critically endangered population of about 70 individuals divided into three family groups (J, K, and L pods) — are among the most iconic wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. Following the chinook salmon that return to Fraser River tributaries and Puget Sound rivers in late spring, the whales enter the Salish Sea in force from late May through October, with peak sightings from June through September. Their appearance in the San Juan Islands in late May and early June is one of the most anticipated wildlife events of the year. These are fish-eating specialists, distinct from transient (Bigg's) orcas that hunt marine mammals. Southern residents travel in tight multi-generational pods, with identifiable individuals known by the shape and markings of their dorsal fins and saddle patches. The matriarchs are large, imposing animals; the bulls develop towering six-foot dorsal fins. Calves born over the winter are now large enough to keep up with the pod's movements, and watching a calf breach beside its mother in Haro Strait is unforgettable. Lime Kiln Point State Park on the west shore of San Juan Island — dubbed "the best whale watching spot in the world" by National Geographic — sits directly on Haro Strait and allows viewing from shore during salmon-following passes. The park has a hydrophone connected to a speaker in the interpretive center, making the pods' distinctive calls audible even when the whales are still miles away. Friday Harbor is the primary departure point for guided whale watching tours, with a greater than 80% chance of seeing some species of whale from June through September. The BC side offers viewing from active passes near Victoria and Sidney.