Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Three Humpback Whales
11 Bigg's Killer Whales (T49A2, T100s, T124s)
Steller Sea Lions
Bald Eagles
Mouflon Sheep

April 25, 2025 | 3 PM Whale Watch

WE LOVE AFTERNOON TRIPS.

Golden hour lighting, information from morning trips to work off of, less boats on the water... who wouldn’t want to end the day with whales? Tonight was nothing short of spectacular! It started with Serena finding us not one, not two, but three humpback whales near Viti Rocks! Two of the three showed off their flukes, revealing their IDs. Graphite (CRC-19313) a 2019 calf, was traveling with 2022 calf Iota (CRC-21520). So exciting to see both of these young Salish Sea regulars return for another summer feeding season.

We left this trio and just west of the ferry terminal, Captain Carl sighted blows. It turned out to be a gathering of eleven Bigg’s killer whales!

T49A2 Jude
T100B Freya
T100B1 Sedir
T100B3 Selkie
T100E Tharaya
T124 Kittiwake
T124A1 Bonaparte
T124A1A
T124A4 Sabio
T124A4A
T124A6 Kasuun
T124A7

This T-party proceeded to take down dinner, a presumed harbor seal, and share it amongst the group. We’re not sure Jude shared in the meal, but he did make his presence known with some dorsal fin slaps! We also witnessed some partial breaches from the youngsters in the group. The backdrop of the treelined shorelines of Burrows and Allan Islands made for the perfect setting, and the evening lighting coming from the west made for the most spectacular photos. It was the most serene setting. Seriously, afternoon trips are the best!

The cherry on top of our epic wildlife sightings was Captain Carl spotting an eagle in the water off Burrows! We watched it swim back to the shore, fish clutched in its talons. A risky catch to be sure.

-Naturalist Sam