Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's Killer Whales (T117Bs & T30Bs)
Steller Sea Lions
Harbor Seals
Bald Eagles
Mouflon Sheep & Fallow Deer

March 25, 2025 | 12 PM Whale Watch

We enjoyed the true calm between storms today with Bigg's killer whales!

After yesterday’s downpour, and the winds and lightening forecasted for tomorrow, we soaked up the calm seas and sunny skies that persisted throughout our adventure today knowing they’d be short lived. Our search took us south through Rosario Strait, west through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, then north up Haro Strait. We enjoyed beautiful views of the snow-capped Olympics while we cruised in and out of fog banks. Flocks of white-winged scoters, rhinoceros auklets, pelagic cormorants, and various gulls were gathered at the banks.

Ultimately, we made our way up to the D’Arcy Islands where we found the T117Bs! This Bigg’s killer whale mother-child duo took our breath away with a surprise close pass, meanwhile three more Bigg’s (later reported as the T30Bs) worked the kelp forests a half a mile away. On the return trip home, we spied a bald eagle duo on Battleship Island, and then several more along the shorelines of Spieden.

Spieden was blooming with life today! The recent rains created several waterfalls that spilled into the sea, and lush grass was growing along the hillsides. New lambs were bouncing next to their mouflon mothers, and groups of Fallow deer grazed beneath the budding branches of deciduous trees. At Green Point we found a strong haul out of Steller sea lions, some gorgeous harlequin ducks, and a gaggle of Canada geese. The cruise back through the islands was stunning, a perfect end to a fantastic afternoon on the water.

-Naturalist Sam