Whale Watching - Just One of the Many Student Life Activities at Green River College

By Nicole Wooldridge, June 8, 2018

One of the benefits of Green River College’s location in the Pacific Northwest is our close access to wildlife and natural beauty. On a recent GRC trip to the San Juan Islands, our students had the opportunity to see and experience both. Bright and early on a Saturday morning, 34 students from across the globe boarded the Victoria Clipper, a ferry that travels through the Puget Sound. The students were participating in a whale-watching trip organized by the International Programs department. Lucky for them, the orcas (also known as “killer whales”) of the Puget Sound were in the mood to show off!

On three separate occasions, students were able to witness the beautiful sea creatures breaching (jumping out of the water and splashing back down), diving, and hunting for prey. Our knowledgeable nature guide identified which specific orcas we were watching, and she shared some interesting facts about the whales’ social lives. Among the whales were several adorable babies, called calves, who stayed close to their mamas’ side. Each time one of the whales breached, showing off its magnificent black and white pattern, everybody onboard the Clipper gasped in amazement. In addition to the whale-watching, our students visited Friday Harbor, a charming town on San Juan Island with panoramic views of the Puget Sound. This trip was just one of many GRC-organized activities designed to give our students access to fun and interesting experiences in this part of the country. 

photo of six Green River College students inside a boat while on a whale watching trip

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