Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Humpback Whales
Sea Otter
Steller Sea Lions
Harbor Seal
Bald Eagles
Tufted Puffins

June 14, 2025 | 9 AM and 1 PM Whale Watch

Today was an example of how wild whales are! We have a great network of eyes on the water, but whales are wild animals and can pop up anywhere and at any time. The ebb tide was ripping as we ventured through Guemes Channel and into Rosario Strait this blustery morning. We slowed at Bird Rocks, excited to see what awaited us at this National Wildlife Refuge. A lone harbor seal was hauled out atop the rockweed while gulls squawked from the rocks above. Suddenly all of the double crested cormorants who were in the rookery took off and scattered. We knew that could only mean one thing…sure enough, an eagle was perched amongst the nests! A plucky black oyster catcher and some gulls chased it off, and the cormorants quickly returned to check on the status of their young. We even found a mature Brant’s cormorant camouflaged amongst the double crested. As we rounded the corner, we set eyes upon our favorite furry friend: Dexter the sea otter! He was all wrapped up in bull kelp while enjoying a nap. Such a cutie!

We continued south, skirting around the turbulent waters at Lawson Reef and angling west past Castle Island. Our search brought us to Whale Rocks where we saw dozens of Stellers, a large bull amongst them, and a juvenile bald eagle being harassed by a gull. These eagles are not having a good day.

We ventured across Salmon, Hein, Eastern, Partridge and Smith Banks, searching all the hot upwelling zones. While we found plenty of bird activity (so many rhinoceros auklets!) we sadly found no whales. We did enjoy spending time with five tufted puffins at Smith though! They were swimming amongst the growing bull kelp forest. We enjoyed a wildlife filled morning, and hope today’s guests come back in the future for another shot at spending time with whales.

As they day continued, we stayed positive knowing that every trip is unique and whales can appear at any moment. We settled in for a long run through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The ebb tide had mellowed by this afternoon, smoothing conditions in the strait a bit. We pushed all the way to Constance Bank, where Captain Tyson spotted a cluster of blows amidst the growing swell. It was two beautiful humpback whales, one of whom was Big Mama’s 2006 calf, Split Fin! It was so good to see this whale back in the Salish Sea, and traveling with a friend none-the-less. With the first big lifting of their flukes we yelled with excitement as Split Fin released a massive fecal plume! Looks like he likes his krill! To see first hand how well humpbacks move nutrients up in the water column was incredible. We continued to enjoy their company for a while and then turned back east. We surfed the swell home, assisted by the flooding tide. Thank you Mother Nature.

We also enjoyed a visit to Bird Rocks this afternoon, where we found dozens of seals hauled out and a sea otter bashing clams for its afternoon meal. The double crested cormorants were in their nests, no eagles in sight, and pigeon guillemots called to their friends. It was an adventurous afternoon!

- Sam