Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Steller Sea Lions
Bald Eagles
Bald Eagle Nest
Seabirds
60 Nautical Miles Covered in a Valiant Search

February 21, 2026 | 1 PM Whale Watch

With multiple reports in the days leading up to our trip of whales sighted between Fidalgo and Bellingham Bays, we set off towards Saddlebag Island with eyes glued to the horizon. The southeast winds were howling, but we traveled with the wind to begin with, making for more comfortable cruising. Our guests were vigilantly scanning the waters of the Salish Sea alongside our crew, aiding in the search.

Our exploration took us around Eliza Island where several bald eagles were stationed, past flocks of surf scooters and long-tailed ducks in Bellingham Bay, across northern Rosario Strait where rhinoceros auklets were gathered, between Barnes and Clark where pigeon guillemots and pelagic cormorants were swimming, and onward to Puffin Island where gulls were flocking above upwelling patches. As we neared Ewing Island, a soaring Eagle caught our attention. It was being harassed by several gulls, but it managed to ignore the distraction when it locked eyes on what appeared to be a female bufflehead duck. We watched in amazement as the raptor dove for the duck, successfully grasping it within its talons. It flew back to shore with its catch, the gulls following it all the way. On Ewing, a gathering of Steller sea lion bulls were climbing along the sculpted sandstone. A raft of smaller sea lions was swimming along shore, heads periscoping above the waterline as we passed.

We circumnavigated Sucia, all while keeping in contact with fellow whale watchers who were searching waters to the west. With no word of whales yet, we looped down to the northern Orcas shoreline and continued south into Rosario Strait. We wove between the Peapods and down towards Eagle Cliff. Cutting into Bellingham Channel, we decided to give Bellingham Bay another look before calling it. This route took us along the northern Vendovi and Samish Island shorelines. We slowed at Saddlebag to enjoy the company of great blue herons, bald eagles, cormorants and scooters. With a final scan of Fidalgo Bay, and a brief glimpse of some harbor porpoise, we called it. It's not often we don’t see whales, but ultimately Mother Nature has the final say. We certainly gave it our all, covering 60 nautical miles together and getting to explore some stunning habitat along the way. We hope to see today's guests for another adventure in the future, they were hardy and enthusiastic and we’d welcome them all back for another shot!

-Sam