Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's Killer Whales (T109As)
Sea Lions
Harbor Seals
Sea Stars
Bald Eagle
Harlequin Duck
Black Turnstones
Black Oystercatchers

August 8, 2025 | 9 AM and 1 PM Whale Watch

What a morning! Despite some pea soup fog, at times less than a quarter mile of visibility, we managed to find a beautiful pod of Bigg’s killer whales right in our backyard. The T109As, a family of six orcas, were circling the waters between Thatcher Pass and Frost Island. We had some incredible one-on-one time with this family group, and we were so grateful they seemed to want to avoid the fog just as much as we did.

When not with whales, we enjoyed a leisurely wildlife search around Willow Island where we found a harbor seal well camouflaged amongst the kelp and sea stars clinging to the coastline. We ventured south into Lopez Sound then east to Pointer Island where we found dozens of harbor seals, black oystercatchers, a harlequin duck, black turnstones, glaucous winged gull chicks, and cormorants. This area was partially shrouded in fog making for a truly surreal setting.

As we cut through the fog bank in Rosario, aiming for Guemes Channel, we passed flocks of birds guzzling down bait balls and listened to the fog horns of our fellow boaters. We tucked around the east side of Guemes Island and found a beautiful mature bald eagle perched low along the shoreline. A perfect end to an epic morning!

-Sam

This afternoon we headed west across Rosario Strait, stopping briefly at Pointer Island to visit with a few harbor seals. While we were exploring this area, a few guests spotted the dorsal fins of the T109A family off in the distance along the shoreline of Blakely Island. Knowing these whales were in the area, we wanted to give them a little more time to allow for inner island boat traffic to clear. Once it had, we slowly cruised up to this lovely Bigg's Killer Whale family. Right off the bat, this group decided to change direction unexpectedly and point for our boat! As we pulled out of gear to let them pass, guests got absolutely phenomenal views-- particularly at little T109A8's rambunctious energy! These whales were zigging and zagging all throughout Thatcher Pass, eventually falling into a more predictable, tight knit travel formation. However, T109A8 didn't seem to get the memo, and zipped around their siblings and mom with the energy expected of a growing toddler. We even got to see a breach from this little one!

After we got off scene, we practiced ID work with this family, focusing on Matriarch T109A Frio's unique eyepatch that sets her easily apart from her family. Continuing on our adventure, we traveled through Peavine Pass and spotted some more harbor seals on Spindle Rock. We then cruised up to Sinclair Island for a final visit with some very friendly Steller Sea lions to round out the afternoon.

We were so honored to be able to spend time with the T109A family today as they rarely make visits into the heart of the San Juan Islands, instead preferring the coastlines of Vancouver Island and British Columbia in the northern Salish Sea. We loved welcoming them into our neck of the woods and can't wait to see them again!

-Amy

If you love killer whales as much as we do, our extended range tour August 19th and our full day tour September 19th guarantee orcas. Book your spot today for an all day adventure you'll never forget!