Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's Killer Whales (T90s)
Bald Eagles
Steller Sea Lions
Harbor Seals

April 10, 2026 | 1 PM Whale Watch

The T90s are still in town and we’re not upset about it! This pod of four Bigg’s killer whales were busy hunting a harbor seal when we arrived on scene in Burrows Bay this afternoon. Our timing could not have been better, as we got to witness the hunt and successful takedown by these apex predators. Little Kanga was left trailing a large chunk of the meal while the rest of the family moved on towards Skyline. They led us past the marina, through Burrows Pass and out into Rosario Strait. It was a beautiful encounter in glassy conditions.

Prior to visiting with the Bigg’s, we’d enjoyed a lovely searching cruise around Blakely Island and south down Rosario Strait. We had heard reports of whales sighted in the inner islands, which is why we started our search here, but that pod ended up being found further west later in the afternoon. It was far from disappointing though, as our route took us past:

Pointer Island where seals were hauled out, groups of Bonapartes’s gulls flocked, Brant’s cormorants were sporting their spring plumage and little pigeon guillemots were partnered up.
Armitage & Willow Islands where bald eagles were perched high in the trees and pigeon guillemots stretched their wings after foraging dives.
Peavine Pass where we watched a great blue heron take flight beneath the snow-capped peak of Kulshan.
Eastern coastline of Blakely Island where Stellers caught their breath after deep dives, eagles soared along the tree line and flocks of rhinoceros auklets drifted past.
James Island where eel grass flowed beneath the waves and bald eagles perched near their nest.
Bird Rocks where flocks of gorgeous harlequin ducks surfed the currents, harbor seals hauled out, eagles watched the water and black oyster catchers made their presence known.
Williamson Rocks where three beautiful Steller sea lions were hauled out on a navigational maker.

It was an afternoon well spent, and we were spoiled by the diverse life that calls the Salish Sea home.

-Sam