Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's Killer Whales (T49As)
Humpback Whale
Steller Sea Lions
Bald Eagles
Mouflon Sheep

April 20, 2025 | 12 PM Whale Watch

During this time of year we can see up to four species of whales on our tours, and today we enjoyed Bigg's killer whales and a humpback whale! Spring has become an amazing time for orca whales and other marine life, and we couldn't have asked for a better Easter.

Our Easter morning was full of wildlife, spring blossoms, and refreshing April showers! It truly felt like spring in the islands today, with stunning natural beauty around every corner. Our search took us to Spieden Island today, where the T49As were casually swimming the treadmill of the ebb tide in Spieden Channel. This pod of Bigg’s killer whales have become some of our most regular spring visitors here in the San Juan’s. Today, Nan was with her four youngest: Nat, Neptune, Nebula and Charlie II. Watching them surface together with the vibrant pink and green hillsides of Spieden Island as a backdrop was such a sight. After visiting with the orcas, we cruised the coastline of Spieden l, spying mouflon sheep, bald eagles, Canada geese and many Steller sea lions.

While at Spieden, we recieved word of another species of whale to the south. Venturing down San Juan Channel, we had just passed Yellow Island when we crossed paths with a humpback whale! This beautiful baleen whale was being very stealthy, but we did get several looks at its dorsal ridge as it worked its way north. It was smooth sailing home from here, passing in and out of rain squalls as we went. We were grateful for the heated cabins and hot cocoa while we admired the moody PNW weather.

-Naturalist Sam Murphy