Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's Killer Whales (T36As, T99B, T49As)
Bald Eagles
Steller Sea Lions

March 30, 2025 | 12 PM Whale Watch

Thirteen Bigg’s killer whales! We were thrilled when reports of killer whales near Boiling Reef turned out to be a gathering of thirteen Bigg’s killer whales from three different matrilines. The T36As, T99B, and T49As (minus T49A2) were gathered:

T36A Leland
T36A1 Tierna
T36A1A Drift
T36A2 Kailas
T36A3 Storm
T36A5 Squall
T99B Holly
T49A Nan
T49A1 Noah
T49A3 Nat
T49A4 Neptune
T49A5 Nebula
T49A6 Charlie II

Their synchronized surfacings were nothing short of breathtaking and Noah’s dorsal fin is mighty impressive. They led us through the roiling currents around Boiling Reef and over to the Patos Island Lighthouse. We left them here, enjoying the scenic views of Koma Kulshan lined up with the lighthouse with eagles flying overhead.

There were lots of eagles on our trip today! At least half a dozen at Patos, two that engaged in a midair battle at Strawberry Island, and more along the coastlines of Sucia. We also spied white-winged scoters, loons, cormorants, gulls and raced many rhinoceros auklets! We stopped to visit with a large gathering of Stellers hauled out at Ewing Island too!

Our route today took us north up Rosario, west along the northern coastline of Orcas, up to East Point. Our return trip took us along the south side of Patos, north along Sucia, south along Matia, between Barnes and Clark then down Bellingham Channel along the eastern coastline of Cypress.

What a great trip!

- Naturalist Sam