Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's Killer Whales (T65As)
Minke Whales
Harbor Seals
Bald Eagles

July 19, 2025 | 9 AM, 1 PM, and 5 PM Whale Watch

With rumors of whales to the south, we angled down Rosario Strait and towards Deception Pass. We stopped at Williamson Rocks for some wildlife viewing. Double crested cormorants, pelagic cormorants, glaucous winged gulls and pigeon guillemots were all nesting. It was fun to watch the parents actively tend to the nests and their inhabitants. We also saw many harbor seals hauled out and sheltering between the islands, with some pups in the mix!

We continued beneath the Deception Pass bridge, spying belted king fishers, bald eagles and harbor seals as we passed through. On our cruise south towards Saratoga Passage, we spied a couple of bald eagles circling above the water looking for their next meal.

Eagle-eyed Captain Tyson spied dorsal fins far off towards the Whidbey shoreline. It was the T65As (minus T65A5)! This family appeared to be finishing up a meal as we arrived, little Callisto throwing flukes and tail slapping repeatedly. She then went on to investigate some kelp, holding it up in her mouth for us to see. The family gradually transitioned into a resting mode, little Callisto mellowing out and joining her big brother Amir on some more leisurely surfacings. It’s always such a treat to visit with one of our favorite Bigg’s killer whale families.

Minke mania this afternoon at Salmon Bank! Catching these rorquals in an active feeding frenzy is such a special experience, and one that doesn’t seem to roll around all that often. This afternoon’s guests got to join us in witnessing these speedy rorquals demolish bait ball after bait ball, sending gulls scrambling to get out of the way as these 20,000lb filter feeders emerged from the depths. We had a least two, likely three, in on the action, and were able to identify Trotsky II in the mix. Trotsky surfaced in tandem with another minke, a clear social moment between these oft illusive beings.

Other highlights of the trip included a scenic cruise from Guemes Channel, through Thatcher Pass, down Upright Channel and through Cattle Pass. We stopped at two different National Wildlife Refuges to visit with a multitude of species. Boisterous Steller sea lions vying for their favorite spot on Whale Rocks and many darling harbor seal mom-pup pairs on Bird Rocks. Bird Rocks lived up to its name as usual, with nesting double crested cormorants, nesting glaucous winged gulls, Heermann’s gulls, harlequin ducks, black oyster catchers and pigeon guillemots.

What a trip!

-Sam

What a magical evening we had exploring the Salish Sea! Reports of whales down south guided us toward the Deception Pass bridge. Along the way, we stopped at Williamson Rocks and spotted some harbor seals, as well as a sea lion resting on the navigational marker just south of the small island. Continuing down into Rosario Strait, we cut east towards Deception Pass, marveling at the massive bridge that connects Fidalgo and Whidbey Island. Passing underneath, we spotted an immature and a mature bald eagle flying close to the cliff sides. Rounding the corner, we plunged into Saratoga Passage.

Deep into Penn Cove, we came across a very famous family of Bigg's Killer Whales, the T65As! This group was spread out and actively hunting inside the shellfish farms of Penn Cove. All together, we had five whales present. T65A Artemis scouted further away from shore with her daughter T65A4 Elli. Closer to the coastline, Artemis's son T65A2 Ooxjaa and his little sister T65A6 Callisto prowled for harbor seals. And they scored big... Just a few minutes after we arrived on scene, we saw Callisto spy hop in the distance with a very dead looking seal in her mouth! Artemis and Elli made their way over to Callisto and Ooxjaa, Elli carrying a bit of flesh in her mouth as well.

Meanwhile, Artemis's other son, T65A3 Amira, was off lollygagging approx. 1,000 yards to the north. Did you get a little sidetracked, Amira? Well not for long. He must have heard his family ringing the dinner bell, because he suddenly turned and quickly headed back in the direction of his family. Of course, T65A5 Indy was not present, but no one was surprised by that. Artemis's youngest son has a habit of taking extended vacations away from his pod. As Amira met back up with the rest of the fam, we slowly cruised off and headed up north. Moving back underneath the bridge, we spotted a few Kingfishers flitting back and forth in the shadows of the fir trees hanging down over the smooth emerald water. All in all, a spectacular route, beautiful, warm weather, lovely golden evening colors, and a visit with a very iconic Bigg's Killer Whale family made this evening most definitely one to remember!

-Amy

Fun fact-- we named a boat after the matriarch of this killer whale family! That's right... T65A Artemis has a vessel named after her. Artemis runs out of Kona on the Big Island! If you're visiting the Hawaiian Islands, check out our sister company, Hawaiian Adventures, for winter humpback tours, night manta tours, and year round exotic pelagic whale watch tours too!