Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's Killer Whales (T75Bs & T124Ds)
Harbor Porpoise
Steller Sea Lions
Harbor Seals

August 30, 2025 | 9 AM and 1 PM Whale Watch

Calm seas and overcast skies blanketed the eastern Salish Sea in shades of gray, the sea blending with the horizon in the most dreamy way. We ventured south to start our search, passing many bait balls where gulls and alcids flocked, and even briefly spying a Steller sea lion feeding amongst them. We slowed at Castle Island where a young black tailed deer was licking its lips, and several well-camouflaged harbor seals were lying atop the barnacles. We pushed deeper into the strait, working with our fellow PWWA captains to search as much water as possible. After scanning McArthur and Hein thoroughly, we heard word of whales sighted up north. We made the turn, angling towards Haro Strait, cruising past the Limn Kiln lighthouse and up to Stuart Island. Along the way we saw many leaping salmon and harbor porpoise dorsal fins.

As we neared the southern coastline of Stuart, we spotted black dorsal fins on the horizon. It was the T75B family of five Bigg’s killer whales! This pod has a darling new addition to the family, just recently assigned the ID of T75B5 by Bay Cetology, making this Pebble’s fifth documented offspring. We watched as the family transitioned from travel mode to hunting mode, tail slapping and circling around a harbor seal. Finding it hard to leave, we made the turn back to the east as we had pushed our timing beyond its limits. On the cruise home we enjoyed a close pass of the Spieden Island shoreline, a slowdown in Pole Pass and a scenic cruise through Thatcher letting Koma Kulshan guide us back towards home.

With more reports of whales filtering in from the north, we set off up the eastern coastline of Guemes Island pointed north towards the Strait of Georgia. We passed harbor porpoises and leaping salmon, flocking common murres and soaring gulls. We pushed past Point Lawrence, Barnes and Clark, Matia and onwards to Sucia. It was here that we slowed for pinnipeds at Clements Reef. Steller sea lion bulls and harbor seals of all ages were hauled out and sunbathing on what little of the reef remained exposed. Seeing the size difference between these two species so clearly was incredible, and one of the Stellers even lifted a pectoral flipper as if to wave goodbye.

We didn’t go far before slowing again, as the T124D pod of four Bigg’s killer whales were working their way past Shallow Bay. They seemed to be doing counter-clockwise laps of the archipelago, scoping out the shorelines as they cruised, much to the delight of many kayakers present. The waters were glassy, and the lighting made for some incredibly beautiful photos with Sucia’s sculpted sandstone as a backdrop. When we reviewed our photos later, we came to realize that another sneaky whale had entered the scene without us realizing, and snuck away just as expertly. This was none other than T65A5 “Indy”. Truly, we never know where this whale will show up next! As the T124Ds swam beneath the snow-capped peak of Mount Baker, we waved farewell to Field, Salish II, Lupine and Dune and began our journey home. We enjoyed smooth sailing all the way, passing eastern Sinclair and then hugging the steep shoreline of east Guemes before rounding the corner to Cap Sante.