Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's Killer Whales (T75Bs & T75Cs)
Bald Eagles
Steller Sea Lions
Fallow Deer & Mouflon Sheep
Harbor Seals

November 28, 2025 | 12 PM Whale Watch

What a STUNNING sunny late November day on the water. The mountains were out, Kulshan showing off a fresh layer of snow, and the sun was shining all day long. This combined with a playful encounter with two pods of Bigg’s killer whales made for a memorable adventure.

We ventured through the heart of the San Juans, cruising through Thatcher Pass, north to Cayou Pass where we visited with a mated pair of bald eagles, then onwards through Pole Pass. As we slowed to cruise through Pole, we spied a large group of Bufflehead ducks, a gorgeous great blue heron, a pair of harlequin ducks and some pelagic cormorants. We pushed onwards towards Spieden from here, where much of the action was center this afternoon.

The Steller bulls were covering Green Point, hauled out high above the waterline atop the grass. This was likely due to the presence of predators nearby, Bigg’s killer whales had just cruised right past the gathering. We caught up with these pods shortly after, confirming them to be the T75Bs and T75Cs. All but T75B5 confirmed present, making for a group of six orcas. It was special to see Pebbles and Bam-Bam, sisters, spending time with one another. Their kids were playing amongst a bull kelp forest, the cousins showing tail, spyhopping, and draping kelp along their backs and flossing the stipes between their flukes. This very playful behavior was a treat to witness. The pod led us towards the Cactus Islands and then to the western point of Spieden. They rounded the corner to hug the shoreline and we left them aiming towards Sentinel Island.

In our circumnavigation of Spieden, we spied mouflon sheep herds, fallow deer, many bald eagles, harbor seals and more! On the ride home we stopped to visit with a very small humpback that Captain Carl had sighted near Jones, but sadly it was quite elusive and was never resighted. We continued home via Wasp Pass, enjoying epic views of Mount Baker as we exited Cayou Pass. We made a final wildlife stop for some smaller Stellers hauled out atop a navigational marker near Blakely Island, then continued home.

With the golden hour lighting setting in, and the moon rising above the Cascades, we were all reminded just how incredible winter whale watching can be in the Salish Sea.

- Sam