ORCAS: Southbound off West Seattle

10:16 AM: Thanks to Kersti Muul for word that orcas are passing again – southbound this time, between Bainbridge and Blake Island, “a larger group.” Let us know if you see them!

10:55 AM: Thanks for the updates in comments!

14 Replies to "ORCAS: Southbound off West Seattle"

  • Kersti Elisabeth Muul September 24, 2021 (10:26 am)

    Cruising in front of Tillicum village now southbound

  • Kris September 24, 2021 (10:36 am)

    At north end of Vashon now 10:35am. About parallel with Fauntleroy ferry line. Thanks for the update WSB. I’ve been in W. Seattle just under a year, and this is my first sighting. So amazing.

    • Kersti Elisabeth Muul September 24, 2021 (10:52 am)

      Yayayayya❤️❤️❤️
      This makes me so happy

      • Kris September 24, 2021 (11:38 am)

        I went out on my balcony to look about 30 minutes later. No whales, just an Osprey flying past at eye level. West Seattle is the Best Seattle.

      • Whale update fan September 24, 2021 (3:30 pm)

        Thanks, Kersti and WSB! I live near Lincoln Park and, though I’ve never seen an orca, I will probably one day thanks to these postings. 

  • Susan September 24, 2021 (10:43 am)

    South of the Vashon ferry dock now… across from Brace Point with a whale watching boat trailing.  From this perspective, the boat appears to be crowding them.  :-/

    • Kersti Elisabeth Muul September 24, 2021 (11:09 am)

      That’s their MO

    • kris September 24, 2021 (11:33 am)

      Yeah, they looked pretty damned close from my perspective as well. 

    • Donna, The Whale Trail September 24, 2021 (2:23 pm)

      Hi Susan (and all),  if you see a boat that looks too close, please report it to the Be Whale Wise hotline at 1-800-853-1964 or info@bewhalewise.org. The boat might not be as close to the whales as it appears from shore. A report ensures that it will be investigated. 

      • Kersti Elisabeth Muul September 25, 2021 (9:48 am)

        It’s better to call enforcement, (also agreed to by enforcement officers that I work with ) you will get a response and it generates quantitative data which helps them build cases against repeat offenders. This boat is often too close to the whales, I was out yesterday and saw for myself and I’m a good judge of distance.I called on two tour boats a couple days ago in the bay…NOAA hotline 18008531964

      • Peggy September 25, 2021 (8:18 pm)

        Thanks Donna , and The Whale Trail for the information for reporting vessels that are too close to the Orcas. The Be  Whale Wise hotline is a direct link to Noah for enforcement of whale watching guidelines. It is a Noah phone number, and is the same one another post said is the  correct one for reporting  to enforcement.  Not to confuse anyone, be sure to download Be Whale Wise 1-800-853-1964 to your phone contact list so you can be ready to report to Noah any problems you see around the Orcas.

  • Jessica September 24, 2021 (11:04 am)

    Where is the best spot to see them? 

    • Kersti Elisabeth Muul September 24, 2021 (11:44 am)

      Depends on where they are

    • Donna, The Whale Trail September 24, 2021 (2:16 pm)

      Hi Jessica, there are four marked Whale Trail locations to watch from shore in West Seattle, at Alki Beach, Charles Richey Sr. Viewpoint (south of the Lighthouse), Emma Schmitz Overlook (aka Me-Kwa-Mooks) and at Point Williams (Lincoln Park, near the pool.) When the whales are north of West Seattle, anywhere along Alki Beach works. Duwamish Head is a good place to watch if they come towards or are in Elliott Bay. When the whales are west of here, the most accessible spots are Charles Richey and Emma Schmitz. Lowman Beach can be a good spot too. You can usually find Whale Trail volunteers at Charles Richey Sr. Viewpoint and Alki, with binoculars to share. 

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