Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Harbor Seals
Steller Sea Lions
Harbor Porpoises
Viking Ship

June 16, 2025 | 12 PM Whale Watch

The sun was shining, and word of whales led us south into the Strait of Juan de Fuca this afternoon. A strong ebb tide worked against the growing westerly winds, and we earned our sea legs on the transit south. Solid reports of orcas brought us to the Partridge Bank, where we worked hard with our fellow PWWA captains to relocate the report. After much searching, and a solid team effort, it seemed the whales had stealthily departed the area.

We stopped to visit with some sleepy Stellers on a navigational marker, and watched as they woke from their naps to growl at another Steller who swam up to scope out the terrain. One gave a big yawn, then settled back in for its nap. As we searched the banks, we saw many rhinoceros auklets, gulls and common murres. On the return trip, we stopped at Williamson Rocks which was bustling with activity! Dozens of harbor seals camouflaged with the rocks, both double crested and pelagic cormorants were tending to nests, black oyster catchers foraged amongst the rocks, a sleepy Steller snoozed nearby and many gulls made their presence known through vocals. We also found small groups of harbor porpoises outside of Burrow’s Pass! A final highlight of our trip was crossing paths with a Viking ship! This beautiful wooden vessel was handcrafted in Anacortes, such a fun sight to see near Burrow’s Lighthouse. While the whales eluded us today, we hope to see today’s guests back in the future for another chance at seeing whales.

-Sam