Orcas of the Pacific Northwest

The incidents of orcas ramming sailing boats along the Spanish and Portuguese coasts was first reported in 2020, and has since been an ongoing concern for any boat transiting the region between Cape Finisterre and the Strait of Gibraltar.

Scientists have been seeking reasons for these destructive habits, particularly as yachts are sinking, with the latest research indicating a combination of free time, curiosity, and natural playfulness has led to young orcas adopting this ‘trend’ of boat-bumping.

But in a corner of the USA, orcas have a far different reputation as Eric Sorrensen reports:

Up here in the northwest, these guys are great fun to hang out with. They like fooling around with sailing boats, maybe not so much the power boats. At a guess, the closest they got to our sailboat was about a foot?

I recall a lunch stop, floating in no wind enjoying the sun. One hears the breathing of the whales as they approach from behind. The spouts become visible as they close on us doing their porpoising thing. Then they just go on by looking for their own lunch. Very fun! We have been privileged to see them often.

Motoring through Cattle Pass coming into the San Juans from the Straits of Juan de Fuca, a pod converged on us and we just kept going as they frolicked all about us, there could have been 5-6 whales at that meet. One is supposed to shut down the motor within some crazy distance of the pods but sometimes safe navigation takes precedence.

Another bit that is fun for sure is when one spots a convergence of all sorts of boats just drifting about. The fleet can be 30 boats! Whale watching 50′ go fast inflatables, all the passengers wearing survival suits from all about converge to watch along with some whale watch boats up to 120′.

Even the ferry will stop when in the presence of these magnificent beasts. The tourists go crazy and the ferry heels pretty well as everyone crowds to the rails.