Orcas Island is called Orcas Island for a particular reason–one that at times escapes my memory, but just now I happen to remember it: there are actual Orcas swimming nearby!

They are frolicking! What great big fishy-mammals they are!

In past blog entries here we have highlighted some of the excellent opportunities to watch some whales here amongst the San Juan Islands. Spring is a great season for getting out on a big boat and getting splashed by some giant fishy-mammals (disclaimer: We know they’re not fishies, but like to call them fishy-mammals for some silly fun–honestly the personal enjoyment gained by such incorrect naming is immeasurable!).

Anyhow, if you’re interested in learning more about the local orca whale population from one of the island experts, check out this blog from the Island Sounder. The best thing you can do though, that is, if you’re a true fan of whales and fishy-mammals, is to come and stay at our lovely Orcas Island Rental and get out to see the whales live. Tours are about 3-4 hours long and they feature many other of the local fauna and wildlife (harbor seals and bald eagles!) if the whales are being particularly shy during your voyage.

For more information on our rates and reservation schedule, please go to this page here! Spring and Summer are our busiest seasons so the earlier you set up your unforgettable Pacific Northwest Adventure the better!

Eastsound is the place to be if you are looking for a great tourist location without that obvious touristy feel and Orcas Ohana is the place to stay if you’re looking for convenient access to everything this quiet, eclectic town has to offer. Everything you need (grocery store, pharmacy, airport) and everything you want (restaurants, coffee shops, bars and churches) are a convenient walk away when you stay out our beautiful, nature home with a view!

   Just imagine waking up in Orcas Ohana master bedroom to a gorgeous sunrise over the bay and thinking to yourself,

“There are so many great things I can do today!” You can create your own nature vacation, set out to watch the whales, hike around Moran State Park, read a book out on the deck or drop into Eastsound and get to know what makes this little town of 5,000 so special.

If you’re a food person, be prepared to enjoy all kinds of great restaurants with all kinds of scrumptious meals. And if you’re the relaxed/ adventurous type then feel free to get on a boat, paddleboard, kayak or piece of driftwood and get ready for some unforgettable moments and sights on water or land! Really, though, it doesn’t matter what kind of person you are or what you enjoy because Eastsound is famous for its ability to mix anyone and everyone together in one harmonious center of friendliness and interesting moments.

If you’re still not convinced that Eastsound WA is eccentrically awesome then let this nearly 2 hour performance by a band named Twirl seal the deal

PS Here is another feature article giving you further proof of how much fun you can have in Eastsound while staying at Orcas Ohana

Get outta here! Natural beauty, exercise and relaxation all in one activity?! Count me in!

Explore a little deeper all that the San Juan Islands have to offer with standup paddling, one of the fastest growing water sports in the world and one of the easiest ways to add a unique flavor to your Orcas Island vacation experience.

Standup paddling (or paddle boarding) is an easy-to-learn and noninvasive activity that gives you access to the wildlife and beautiful viewpoints of Orcas Island in a very special way. You can rent a paddle and board, and within an hour you and your loved ones can be out and about the smooth waters of the San Juan islands, exploring the coastlines, making some unexpected friends with seals, orcas and other magical water beasts all while working out those hard-to-reach core muscles and waiting for that awesome Orcas Island sunset.

For more information on how to get going on your standup paddling experience or many other interesting and exciting adventures check out the Orcas Island’s Chamber of Commerce activities page and get prepared for a truly special activity that mixes both challenge and relaxation in one fell swoop.

Here’s a fun video showing some of what you can expect from standup paddling in Orcas Island:

And here’s another fun video showing some of what you probably shouldn’t do with your standup paddling experience (unless of course it involves a friendly seal or some vortex magic):

Why do killer whales congregate around the San Juans?

The reason that so many killer whales can be found around the San Juans is because there is an abundant food source here, salmon. Salmon makes up about 95 percent of the killer whale diet and luckily for visitors and residents of the Islands, salmon travel up and down the coast of the Islands and the outlying areas.

How many whales are in the area this time of year?

While the numbers vary, there are generally around 90 Orcas that call this area home during the April to October season. During the 2009-2010 season, six babies were born in the area which was extremely exciting for residents and visitors alike. As we already mentioned, Orcas love salmon, but not just any salmon, they love Chinook. The availability of Chinook as a food source in the area has a direct effect on the whale population, so the critical salmon habitat has a direct relationship to the number of whales calling this area home, so when so many babies are born it is a good indication of the health of the area.

Will I get to see whales if I go on a whale watching tour?

Most operators (Orcas Island Eclipse Charters and San Juan Safaris) have a 90 percent or higher success rate in spotting Orcas during their tours. However, no matter if you see Orcas or not, you will get to see many other marine animals that might also include dolphins and other species of whales. Many operators offer a guarantee that if you don’t see Orcas, you can come back another day, but this varies, so it’s important to check with the tour operator.

What should I look for in a whale watching tour?

The most important thing to look for is a tour that is not overcrowded and that has a tour leader who is a naturalist or other kind of expert to help guide you and educate you on the marine life of the area. For children, please remember that life jackets are important and should be worn throughout the tour.

If you are looking for something to do on your Orcas Island vacation, consider Whale Watching. It’s educational and quite fun.

I had the opportunity to learn about the Spring Whale Watching season from Denise and Captain Daniel Wilk of Eclipse Charters yesterday.

Here’s what Denise had to say:

We have a few transient Orca around this time of year. Small groups eating seals and sea lions. The resident pods start to arrive with regularity in May.

We will be open from April on throughout the summer. 1:00pm to 4:30pm PST is our new summer schedule. They took away a mid morning ferry. Quite a gap, so we are trying to make our schedule for returning people to the mainland on the 5:10.

We are also opening a new store office in Eastsound in early May. Next to the Nest in the new Windermere building. The used book store moved out. So we are remodeling the space and are excited to have a town outlet for retail and tours.

A little bit of info about their tour Saturday April 17, 2010

We did see 35+ Stellar Sea Lions as well as 60 to 80 Harbor seals. Eagles were on the rocks feeding on something good. There is a sitting Bald Eagle hen near the Landing now. Rhinoceros Auklets and Pigeon Guillemots, lots of Cormorants and gulls. We also saw some Transient Orca foraging off Victoria. Yeah!

Dan and Denise have toured guests all over the San Juan Islands for 20 years. To celebrate their 2o years, they’re revamping their website to provide more information to all of us. Be sure to check in here!