Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's Killer Whales (T34s, T37s)
Gray Whale
Steller Sea Lions
Bald Eagles

April 12, 2026 | 1 PM Whale Watch

Little Amuru and Slice, the two youngest members of the T34s & T37s, were in such playful spirits this afternoon! These two pods of Bigg’s killer whales, presumed kin despite what their scientific IDs suggest, were tightly grouped and social when we encountered them in northern Rosario Strait. We watched in delight as these seven orcas spyhopped, waved flukes in the air, rolled on top of one another, and showed off their bellies and pectoral flippers at the surface. Adding to the magic were the lake-like glassy conditions and misty clouds weaving through the treetops. The setting felt iconically Pacific Northwest.

At the start of our adventure, we’d explored Bellingham Bay in search of wildlife and encountered a dozen harbor porpoises, loons, flocks of Brant’s and pelagic cormorants, some vocal black oyster catchers and a gray whale! It’s hazy blow blended in with the gray day in a way reminiscent of a watercolor painting. We enjoyed several surfacings with this individual, and even caught a look at the underside of their tail for future ID work.

Other highlights of our day included a visit with two different cuddle-puddles of Steller sea lions atop navigational markers, and a stop to admire some bald eagles along the eastern Guemes shoreline. It was a truly breath-taking day, and we were spoiled with ample time with whales!

-Sam