Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Gray Whale (CRC-2557)
Bald Eagle
Steller Sea Lions
Harbor Seals
Deception Pass

April 11, 2025 | 12 PM Whale Watch

Yesterday's wind had left the area just as quickly as it started as we were heading out of Cap Sante marina. We found a long tail duck and great blue heron on our way past the breakwater before we headed out into bigger seas. We searched south in Rosario Strait with some early morning reports but as the reports grew cold we decided to divert our search to better waters.

Heading under Deception Pass we found a bald eagle perched just below the bridge and dozens of pigeon guillemots zooming all over the inside of the pass. We headed down to Polnell Point to a gray whale hot spot but try as we might we did not spot any whales. We headed back up Saratoga Passage and stopped at Strawberry Island to check out some harbor seals.

Reports came in to the north of a possible whale and even though it'd make us a bit late, we went for it. Just past Point Lawrence we joined gray whale #2557 as he was trucking north. This whale has been a staple of Whidbey Island this spring and it was interesting to see him moving north, likely in search of more feeding areas. Waving goodbye to #2557 we cruised over to a Sinclair Island navigation Buoy and found 4 mid sized Steller sea lions hauled out and napping. We finished the day with a breeze and sunshine coming down, with glassy waters everywhere!

-Naturalist Tyson