Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's Killer Whales (T36s)
Harbor Seals
Great Blue Heron

August 13, 2025 | 1 PM Whale Watch

We pushed off the dock this morning and headed south down Rosario Strait. Winds were beginning to pick up in the Strait of Juan de Fuca as we ducked into the protection of Deception Pass. Crossing under the bridge, we got an amazing view of the massive structure. Pigeon guillemots flapped over the emrald surface and cormorants ducked down below the gently moving currents. Continuing into Saratoga Passage, we began the search for a group of whales that had been reported earlier in the day. The problem was, no one currently had eyes on these whales, so it was up to us to find them again. As we edged down to Polnell point, a guest spotted a small dorsal fin a ways off of our starboard side! We slowed and spun, readjusting to point back north.

It took a few minutes to fully dial these whales in, but once we figured out their direction and speed, we began parallel viewing with none other than the T36s! This four generation family was split in two. T36 Flapjack traveled with her grand daughter T36B1 Bhodia and Bhodia's brand new 2024 calf T36B1A Maple. Closer to shore, Flapjack's second born daughter T36B Tattertip scooted along with her own second born daughter T36B2 Greenfelder as well as her newest kiddo, also born in 2024, T36B4 Auk. This lovely six member family moved slowly north against the tide, at one point erupting in a massive surge of movement as they attempted to hunt a harbor porpoise. When they swiftly moved on after the momentary chase, we could assume that this harbor porpoise got off lucky and escaped the ambush. Gradually, these two groups of three merged and swam together while swallows darted and swooped above them in the beautiful august sunshine.

When our time was up with this family, we cruised back up north and under the bridge once again-- though not before stopping briefly at Strawberry Island to check out a large haul out of harbor seals and a great blue heron standing in a traditional statuesque manner. Cruising back up into Guemes Channel, we discussed ID work and the unique social structure of this group which holds a great grandmother (Flapjack), a grandmother (Tattertip), a mother (Bhodia), and a daughter (Maple) all in one fam!

It's always such a pleasure hanging out with the T36s as we get to see so many generations together in one group. The T36s were in a lovely area close to home, however we also had a few other family groups traveling through the Salish Sea that were slightly out of our normal search range. The T18s battled big gusts of winds out by Victoria, T65 and T63 were spotted way up by Galiano Island, the T109As traveled through Cowichan Bay, and the T65As were seen cruising by Port Angeles, then later spotted moving into Admiralty Inlet towards Hood Canal!

On August 19th, our extended range tour is set to embark. We'll travel farther, with a much larger search range, and look for anything and everything we possibly can. If you're interested in potentially spending an entire day searching for multiple groups of killer whales, humpbacks, minke whales, and so much more, check out our extended range tour. But you better hurry... we've only got ten spots left available!

-Amy