Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's Killer Whales (T123s)
Sea Otters
Harbor Seals
Bald Eagles
Sea Lions

June 11, 2025 | 12 PM Whale Watch

What a serene day out on the water, and so lucky to have whales in our backyard! We found the T123s exiting Lopez Pass and working their way up the east side of James Island. They were traveling close together, their fins rising in unison as they rested. It was so beautiful, and in glass-calm conditions. They even gave us some nice line-ups with Mount Baker, though the wildfire smoke made it a bit hazy.

We left them traveling north and peeled away to check out Bird Rocks. We found nesting double-crested cormorants, black oyster catchers, pigeon guillemots, harlequin ducks, a few harbor seals and a darling sea otter all wrapped up in bull kelp!

Sea otters are the guardians of kelp forests, munching on sea urchins which, if left unchecked, might devastate a kelp forest. It’s exciting to see this little guy watching over the Bird Rocks kelp.

We met back up with Sidney, Stanley, Lucky and Darcy near Cypress Island. They were continuing their leisurely travels, gently gliding with the flood tide.

We left these Bigg’s killer whales to admire soaring turkey vultures at Eagle Cliff and a pair of mature bald eagles perched in the treetops. We stopped at a navigational marker to visit with some Steller sea lions who played peek-a-boo with us. We ventured to the Cone Islands next, where dozens of pigeon guillemots were chasing each other around, and some adorable harbor seals were lying in the shallows.

We cruised down the eastern shoreline of Guemes Island, enjoying the sights and then headed home to Cap Sante. A beautiful way to start the day!

-Sam