Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bald Eagles
Sea Lions
Mouflon Sheep
Harbor Seals
75 nautical miles of searching!

April 9, 2025 | 10 AM Whale Watch

Strong southeasterly winds were blowing as we left the marina, picking up throughout our adventure. We started our search in Rosario Strait, admiring some beautiful looks at both the Olympic Mountain range and Kulshan. We tucked into the heart of the islands, cruising through Thatcher Pass, Upright Channel, then north up San Juan Channel. We spied rhinoceros auklets feeding amongst flocks of gulls, bald eagles soaring amongst the treetops and cormorants perched atop channel markers.

We slowed at Green Point to visit with a nice gathering of Steller bulls. Some were rafted up amongst the bull kelp while others were hauled out and snoozing. We continued north from here, enjoying the wind-sheltered waters of Boundary Pass and Satellite Channel. We hopped up into Canadian waters, before looping back to Stuart Island. We admired the historic Turn Point Lighthouse and herds of domestic sheep that doted the coastlines of Stuart. We continued south to Spieden Island, slowing to admire the incredibly vibrant purplish wildflowers that contrasted so purplish wildflowers that contrasted so beautifully with the vivid green hillside. Mouflon sheep grazed in large herds, with little lambs bouncing amongst them. At the end of the island we found a regal pair of bald eagles, soaring turkey vultures, gaggles of Canada geese and more rafting Stellers!

We cut back through the heart of the islands, taking Pole and Cayou. We popped out near James Island, admiring the coastlines of the State Park before venturing down to Bird Rocks. We found some hauled out harbor seals, nesting geese, surfing harlequin ducks, a swimming Steller and some sleepy black oyster catchers. We searched over 75 nautical miles on today's adventures, stopping with some incredible wildlife along the stunning San Juan Island shorelines, but sadly there were no whales to be found. We hope today's guests back for another adventure with us soon!

-Naturalist Sam