Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Humpback Whale (CRC19888 "Schooner")
Gray Whale
Harbor Seals
Bald Eagles
Sea Lions
Harbor Porpoise

May 3, 2025 | 10 AM and 3 PM Whale Watch

A sunny Saturday with two baleen whales! We spent time with a gray whale and humpback whale on our whale watching tours. Both of these species are migratory, and while it's the best time of year for gray whales it's just the beginning of the Salish Sea humpback season!

Heading out of Cap Sante, we were gifted with a beautiful morning and an early morning report. We headed down Guemes Channel and by the time we reached Bellingham Channel, a whales exhalation was sighted in the distance. It took some time to dial it in as it was moving at a good speed with the current, but soon we were on scene with a young gray whale. We got some great looks and even lucked out with some fluke shots as the whale traveled back and forth in Rosario Strait.

At Black Rock, we checked out a big group of birds and a couple large bull Steller sea lions hauled out of the water. We hadn't got far when a report came in from some colleagues of blows just ahead. Soon we found ourselves on scene with CRC19888 "Schooner"! This humpback whale survived a vessel strike last year in Vancouver, and it was so great to see it back in the area again. We got many great looks as it traveled against the tide in Rosario Strait.

At Peapod Rocks we watched some harbor seals, and then ventured to Vendovi Island where we spotted a bald eagle and harbor porpoise feeding all around us. It was a great morning and a beautiful afternoon on the water!

- Naturalist Tyson