Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's Killer Whales (T137s)
Deception Pass Bridge
Harbor Seals
Bald Eagle
King Fishers

July 15, 2025 | 1 PM and 5 PM Whale Watch

With reports of whales to the south, we jetted out of Guemes channel and down Rosario strait. Crossing under the Deception Pass bridge, we spotted a large cluster of harbor seals hauled out on Strawberry Island before continuing toward Saratoga Pass. The reports we had didn’t have any recent sightings, so it was up to us to reacquire these animals. We scanned hard from shoreline to shoreline until we spotted a blow in the distance. Down near Holmes Harbor, we got on scene with the T137s! This group of killer whales made their way slowly south in a tight knit group. We got gorgeous looks at T137 Loon, mom and matriarch, as well as her 22 year old son T137A Jack and her two daughters T137B Tempest and T137D Wright. With sunny skies and soft, glassy conditions, this encounter could not have gotten better. Because we were so far from home, we slowly departed after cruising with this family down the coast of Camano Island. We jetted back up and through deception pass before heading once again up Rosario Strait and into Guemes channel. Getting to navigate underneath the bridge at deception pass and hang out with Loon and her family made this afternoon absolutely spectacular!

With reports of the whales from this morning making their way further north, we pushed back down towards Deception Pass and crossed under the bridge. Along the way through the pass, we spotted two mature bald eagles perched in the trees as well as several king fishers darting around through the low hanging branches of Whidbey Island. Cruising further south, we met back up with the T137s from this morning in Crescent Harbor. This family moved at a relaxed pace north. Jack, matriarch T137 Loon’s first born son, scooted off on his own offshore while his younger sisters and mother skirted the coastline. Suddenly, Jack made a beeline back to his family and we saw splashing in the distance… this family had found themselves an unlucky harbor seal! Jack hurried to meet back up with the family as the hunt began. To ring the dinner bell, Jack breached 3 times! While the girls did all the hard work close to shore, Jack hung back in deeper water. We watched as this poor seal fought for air at the surface, but Loon and her two daughters, T137B Tempest and T137D Wright, are ruthless and impressive hunters— the seal was no match. After the successful hunt, we watched a bit of prey sharing behavior and a few more tail slaps of celebration. As this family calmed down, we departed and headed back north under the bridge once more. Calm seas and warm evening air guided us all the way back to the dock. What a phenomenal day with so much action from Loon and her kiddos!!

-Amy