Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Elusive Minke Whale
Steller Sea Lions
Mouflon Sheep
Bald Eagles
Harbor Seals
Tons of birds!

April 19, 2025 | 10 AM Whale Watch

The adventure began at Bird Rocks, where harbor seals were hauled out and snoozing, pigeon guillemots were flirting and gulls and cormorants were gathered. The ebb tided pulled us south, around the southeastern corner of Lopez Island and over to Salmon Bank. White-winged scoters, grebes, and rhinoceros auklets were feeding amongst the current lines, riding the residual swell from last night’s wind event.

We headed north to Whale Rocks, stopping to visit with a mature and juvenile bald eagle, dozens of Stellers and one proud California sea lion. We fought the currents through Cattle Pass, venturing north up San Juan Channel towards Spieden Island. The island was bustling with activity! Herds of mouflon sheep out and grazing amongst the redstem stork’s-bill blooming across the hillside, Stellers swimming along shore, and eagles perched in the treetops.

We turned east from here, cruising up Presidents Channel and up towards the outer islands. We were pleasantly surprised by the calm conditions that greeted us, as reports from the morning suggested otherwise. We scanned the calm waters south of Sucia, Matia and around Barnes and Clark. As we neared Sinclair, Captain Tyson and some passengers sighted a minke whale! Sadly, it was a very slinky minke, and was never re-sighted after that initial surface interval.

We continued towards home, accepting that whales weren’t in the cards today, but reveling in the beautiful adventure we’d had. Stunning spring weather, so many species sighted…a spectacular spring day all around!

-Naturalist Sam Murphy