Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's Killer Whales (T99s)
Humpback Whale (HW-MN0510839)
Harbor Porpoise
Steller Sea Lions

September 12, 2025 | 12 PM Whale Watch

What a whale filled day! We enjoyed visits with two species of whales today: humpback and Bigg’s killer whales.

Our search began in Bellingham Bay, where reports of orcas had filtered in that morning. We were met with ideal spotting conditions, calm seas and overcast skies. We found many harbor porpoises but no larger cetaceans, despite working with several other friends on the water. So after a big loop search, we continued west.

We stopped at a navigational marker to visit with a couple of sleepy Steller sea lions and their pelagic cormorant neighbors, then pushed towards Orcas. We watched several pods of harbor porpoises work the currentlines at Point Lawrence, gulls joining them in the feast. As we admired the gorgeous northern Orcas shoreline, our friends found a humpback up ahead of us! It turned out to be a little guy who was new to science as of June of this year and given the scientific ID “HW-MN0510839”. We enjoyed traveling with them through Rosario Strait, the Lummi shoreline shrouded in mist making for a stunning backdrop for our encounter.

We peeked back into Bellingham Bay on our way back to the east, wanting to give a final search before turning home. Sharp-eyed Serena found the orcas that had been reported earlier that morning! They were approaching Eliza Island from the north, so we enjoyed a wonderful encounter with them as they cruised down the beautiful Lummi shoreline. They appeared to make a kill while we were on scene! The glassy emerald waters and beaufully illuminated blows made for some spectacular photos. We determined that we were watching the T99s, Bella’s family, but Holy was absent for the encounter. What an epic day!

-Sam