Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's Killer Whales (T109As and T18s)
Harbor Seals
Steller Sea Lions

August 7, 2025 | 5 PM Whale Watch

What a night! The Bigg’s were hungry this evening and our timing was perfect, a combo that made for a truly memorable adventure on the Salish Sea. We spent time with two separate Bigg’s killer whale pods, aka the Transient ecotype. We started with the T109As near Turn Island. This family of six was busy scouting every coastline, reef, and minor island for prey. We watched four rounds of attempted hunts, one of which was very clearly successful…the water turned red as the family feasted on an unfortunate harbor seal. Witnessing the prowess of these apex predators, and the instinct of the harbor seals doing their best to stay out of harms way, I think we all left with a new appreciation for both species involved.

We met up with the T18s (minus T18) near Upright Head. They had been traveling but then quickly transitioned to an apparent hunt as we arrived. The water erupted in splashing, then the orcas circled the same spot in synchrony, arching their backs to dive down deep, all behavior we’d associated with a hunt. By the end of the encounter, they led us along the rugged Lopez shoreline north of the ferry terminal, a stunning end to an epic evening.

Other highlights of the day included:

Calm seas as we cruised south in Rosario Strait
Pigeon guillemot and harbor seal viewing near Castle Island
A geology moment at Iceberg Point
Dozens of Steller sea lions at Whale Rocks and the Cattle Point Lighthouse glowing in the evening light
A scenic cruise through Cattle Pass and and San Juan Channel
Smooth sailing home with golden hour lighting through Thatcher Pass and Guemes Channel