Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's Killer Whales (T123s, T75Bs, & T68)
Steller Sea Lions
Harbor Porpoises
Harbor Seals
Bald Eagles

May 24, 2025 | 1 PM and 5 PM Whale Watch

What a stunning sunny day! Calm seas, sunny skies, every mountain peak visible, we were so happy to be on the water today. We started our adventure with a scenic cruise up the eastern coastlines of Guemes and Sinclair Islands, then the northern coastline of Orcas Island. We watched for eagles in the treetops and porpoises in the current lines.

Reports brought us to Sucia today, where the T123 family was hunting harbor seals. We watched as they scoped out the tide lines, worked the shorelines, then shared a seal amongst themselves. They even draped the intestines of their prey across their dorsals like a morbid necklace… Stanley took our breath away with a dramatic spyhop beneath Kulshan/Mount Baker. What an epic orca encounter! On our trip back east, we stopped at Puffin Island to visit with harbor seals, Steller and California sea lions and bald eagles near a nest. We also stopped at one of the Sinclair Island navigational markers to say hello to some snoozing Stellers on the buoy. With a final slowdown along the dramatic eastern cliffs of Guemes Island, we called it a day.

With new reports of whales coming in this afternoon, we turned west instead of north, angling for Thatcher Pass. We spied pigeon guillemots, a few harbor porpoises and bald eagles as we cruised, slowing in Pole Pass to take in the sights and enjoy a leisurely cruise through this narrow channel. We ventured to the Cactus Islands, where a group of Bigg’s killer whales were riding the ripping currents. It was the T75Bs and T68! This group of five led us up the Stuart Island shoreline, their blows accentuated in the most beautiful golden hour lighting. It was such a serene encounter, and we were reminded of why we love evening trips so much. On the way home, we slowed to enjoy the southern Spieden coastline. Mouflon sheep herds were out and grazing and big Steller bulls were fishing along shore. We watched one thrash in the water as it caught a decent sized fish between its impressive canines. We stopped to visit with another Steller on the way home, a massive male snoozing on a channel marker in Rosario Strait. With the sun setting behind us, we rounded the corner into Cap Sante, marveling at the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

- Sam