Seals

It's going down

Whale tail

West Rock

Sea Lions

Sea Lions

Sea Lions

One of our favorite areas to visit is the rich fishing grounds near West Rock. West Rock is also a very popular place for Stellar Sea Lions. Over 300 sea lions spend their summers here feeding on salmon and herring. Adult male sea lions average over 1200 pounds.

This is also an area where many humpback whales can be seen. They too are attracted by large schools of herring, salmon and krill which inhabit the area in large numbers. Although whale sightings are not guaranteed we have never failed to see humpback whales on these tours. Humpback whales can grow as long as 55 feet and can dive for as long as 30 minutes.

Another interesting attraction on these tours are the commercial salmon fishing vessels, including purse seiners, gillnetters and power trollers, which can be seen on our way to or from West Rock.

Tours to West Rock require 4 hours to view both sea lions and whales. Without stopping at West Rock we can usually spot whales during a 3 hour tour.

During the months of May and June, a pod of Orca or "killer" whales frequents the Mountain Point area much closer to town. They are drawn here by the return of king salmon to a nearby hatchery. Killer whales can grow to 27 feet long and are exciting to watch because they have no fear of the many small, recreational fishing boats which compete to catch the same king salmon. Killer whales are known to steal king salmon right off your hook even as you're about to bring it aboard your boat!

Tours to watch the killer whales at Mountain Point take 2 hours and can be combined with a walk on the beach at scenic Blank Islands in a 3 1/2 hour tour.

Taking good whale photos requires a camera with no shutter delay. Only the more expensive digital cameras have no shutter delay so if you still have your old SLR film camera and a 150+ mm lens be sure to bring them too.