Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Humpback Whale (Victory)
Minke Whales
Steller Sea Lions
Harbor Seals
Sea Otter

September 8, 2025 | 12 PM Whale Watch

This felt like the first day in some time that fog was not a variable at play in our search for whales. With clear skies and calm seas, we worked our way down Rosario Strait and towards the Strait of Juan de Fuca. We passed bait ball after bait ball, slowing at a major gathering near Davidson Rock to witness the action, then cruising the coastline of Colville to visit with harbor seals and admire the flowing bull kelp.

We worked our way into Juan de Fuca and west towards Hein Bank. We’d caught a glimpse of a minke whale so had slowed to investigate when the water erupted in front of us. Two minkes were demolishing a bait ball, sending murres scattering. It was an epic display of speed and power, and the fun kept going! Both minkes wowed us with surprise close passes as they continued to zigzag around the bank. It was one of the most incredible minke encounters of our season.

The minke madness didn’t stop there! We worked our way up to Salmon Bank and found at least two more actively feeding amongst the many bait balls forming. The calls of common murres and gulls rung out across the water, thousands of birds were gathered to get their piece of the action. We ventured over to Whale Rocks where Steller sea lions were gathered and a sleepy sea otter was all wrapped up in kelp. It was such a special find, knowing there are so few sea otters in the heart of the Salish Sea! As we were leaving Whale Rocks and angling towards McArthur, another minke surfaced right beside us! It was a day for minkes.

As we approached McArthur we met up with another rorqual, a slightly larger one: “Victory” the humpback whale! She led us around the bank, her fluke prints easily visible as she stayed shallow in her travels. It was a lovely finale to our baleen whale bonanza.

-Sam