Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's Killer Whales (T75Bs)
Humpback Whales (Manta & Strike)
Harbor Porpoise
Harbor Seals

September 9, 2025 | 12 PM Whale Watch

We witnessed one of the most intense porpoise hunts of the season today! One speedy harbor porpoise vs. the T75Bs, a pod of five Bigg’s killer whales. The hunt lasted twenty-three minutes, and this determined harbor porpoise gave it everything it had, out maneuvering the Bigg’s many times before Pebbles finally put an end to it . With two wild rostrum rams that sent the smaller cetacean soaring, the pod converged, moonwalked, and lungs floated to the surface... The circle of life on full display, and an example of Bigg’s helping to keep balance.

The T75Bs’ newest addition cannot be more than 1.5 months old, if that, and yet was nearly tracking Pebble’s every move. It was remarkable seeing this little calf learning right before our eyes, and it even took the lead in the chase a time or two. These whales never cease to amaze. When the Bigg’s had finished their meal, we broke away to visit two humpbacks who were sneakily working their way along the border not far from the action. Their IDs were reported as “Manta” and “Strike” though we never could personally verify from our dorsal fin photos.

We had also enjoyed an earlier stop at Pointer Island. Dozens of harbor seals were hauled out with black turnstones and black oyster catchers around them. Gulls dotted the island and both pelagic and double crested cormorants stretched their wings in the sun. We’d found a bald eagle renovating its nest on the northern coast of Shaw Island (a little bit early for that kind of behavior), and saw common murres in small flocks out in the straits. What an epic adventure!

-Sam