Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's Killer Whales (T65Bs)
Humpback Whales
Harbor Seals
Steller Sea Lions

July 23, 2025 | 9 AM, 1 PM, and 5 PM Whale Watch

We went the distance this morning for humpback whales! We never know when or whales are going to pop up, but our team works hard to make every trip a memorable one. We started the day with purple sea stars and a great blue heron due to the low tide. We searched north wrapping around the outside of the islands, saying said hello to a whole bunch of harbor seals off Jack Island and Steller sea lions napping on a channel marker.

Finally, after lots of searching, we encountered 3 humpback whales north of Sucia. One surprised us with a pass and we continued with this Individual who was spending lots of time on the surface and giving us beautiful looks. They also showed us their flukes, and although we were not able to get a perfect angle to get an Id, we were still stoked. After lots of views we eventually said adios and turned back east. Our cruise home went inner island and we had a nice flyover from a bald eagle. It was an awesome morning with the largest species of whale in our waters!

The whales are always on the move, and our 1 PM trip spent time with another species of whale, Bigg’s orcas! We started by heading inner island which is always a beautiful introduction to this scenic region. We admired the coastline and lots of pacific madrona trees. We passed a few rocks with groups of gulls and cormorants, and finally made our way north just of Pender Island. Here we encountered the T65B pod of Bigg’s killer whales! Chunk and her three offspring were cruising the coastline in travel mode until all off the sudden they made a turn into the current line.

We’re not sure if they got a quick bite, but little Rook started repeatedly tail slapping and doing headstands. Then Rook breached multiple times! How fun! This little whale was having quite the ball and it was so cool to see so much surface action. It’s not every day that we get to see a breach, and everyone onboard was elated. After quite some time, we had to say goodbye. We cruised back through the heart of the San Juans and the conditions were just stunning. What an eventful afternoon!

What a BEAUTIFUL night! Ahhh! This time of year in the Salish Sea is unbeatable. We left the dock, flat calm waters, beautiful blue skies, and it was so warm! We went around the back side of Guemes Island and stopped at the red navigation marker to watch some sleepy stellar sea lions growling on the navigation marker, warning other curious sea lions in the area to give space. After our first slow down, it was just a matter of minutes before we were on scene with the T46’s, T122 and T37A1. We met up with them at Alden bank. Wow, so cool to see these ladies try to corral Thor, Stryder, and Loki. We got to see them in line with Mt Baker in the background, it was amazing! After leaving the whales in the sunshine behind us, we did a slow down at Peapod rocks to view some harbor seals basking in the last light of the day, and then got to see a mature bald eagle right by Eagle bay on Cyprus Island!

It was another beautiful day in the Salish Sea.

Whale wishes,

Clare