Orca whales are a common sight throughout the San Juan Islands. The best time to see them is during the summer months. Photo courtesy of San Juan Excursions.
Orca whales are a "toothed whale" and all toothed whales have a single blowhole. All baleen whales have two blowholes. The blowhole is in fact a nostril and orcas have lost their sense of smell in favor of echolocation. Photo courtesy of San Juan Excursions.
Cetology is the branch of marine science that studies cetaceans. In Ancient Greece Ceta meant whale or sea monster and in Greek mythology Perseus defeated a monster named Ceto. Photo courtesy of San Juan Excursions.
Orcas belong to the Toothed whale family and are a suborder of the cetaceans along with sperm whales, beaked whales, dolphins, porpoises and others.
Orcas and other Odontoceti ( toothed whales ) use echolocation to navigate and find food. A fatty organ in their head called a melon is used like a lens to focus the outgoing sound waves. Baleen whales do not use echolocation.
The San Juans are not exposed to the large waves produced in the pacific ocean. The Olympic Peninsula and the Vancouver Island help to keep the waters of the San Juans flat and calm. Photo courtesy of San Juan Excursions.
A private sailing yacht makes its way through the San Juan Islands along with a pod of orca whales. Photo courtesy of San Juan Excursions.
Fishermen and orca share a common love for the salmon. Photo courtesy of San Juan Excursions.
Seeing the whales can be done without a boat. Your best bet is LimeKiln State Park on the west side of San Juan Island. Photo courtesy of San Juan Excursions.