Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Gray Whales (CRC-2557 & others)
Bald Eagles
Harbor Porpoises
Harbor Seals

April 4, 2025 | 12 PM Whale Watch

Captain Tyson was on it today! We think he set a record, finding us our first whale in less than 9 minutes!!! A little gray whale was skirting the shallows near the Samish Flats. It led us down to Saddlebag Island, where eagles were soaring, harbor porpoise were foraging in the current lines and great blue herons were perched in the intertidal.

After our encounter, we continued north to search Bellingham Bay, circling Eliza Island and continuing out to Rosario Strait. We stopped at south Lummi to admire 10+ bald eagles gathered near the water. We continued to the Peapods, then worked our way south to Bird Rocks. Here we found harbor seals, another bald eagle, gulls and black turnstones.

We continued south down the western coastline of Whidbey, making it to Swantown before Captain Tyson found us two more gray whales! Conditions were glass calm, the sun was shining, and the Olympics were on full display. Gray whale CRC-2557 wowed us with a surprise close pass, followed by a gorgeous show of its tail. We also watched another gray whale feeding about a quarter mile away.

The return trip home was smooth, and dotted with harbor porpoise sightings. We enjoyed cruising past the Burrow’s Island Lighthouse before rounding the corner into Guemes Channel.

What a beautiful day full of grays!

- Naturalist Sam