Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

22 Bigg's Killer Whales! (T34s, T36s, T37s, T99s, & T90s)
Steller Sea Lions
Harbor Seals
Bald Eagles

April 6, 2026 | 1 PM Whale Watch

Today’s Bigg’s encounter will be imprinted upon my memory for years to come. Vivid emerald waters, the dramatic rocky cliffs of northeastern Orcas Island, and eighteen Bigg’s killer whales resting together, every exhalation perfectly illuminated in the afternoon sun. We spent the first part of our afternoon with a T-party that included the T34s, T36s, T37s & T99s. Little Maple, Auk and Amaru tucked in next to their mothers’ sides, the ever-growing dorsal fin of Barakat towering above them. We always love to see a family reunion, and today’s gathering featured two! Sisters Bella (T99) and Tattertip (T36B) with their mother Flapjack (T36), and sisters Rocky (T37), Pachamama T34A) and Sonder (T34B) traveling together with their pods. Both families featuring instances of presumed relationships, where their scientific IDs don’t reflect their familial ties.

We left the Bigg’s and turned back to the east, venturing down to the Peapods. There were several juvenile bald eagles here, dozens of harbor seals, swimming Steller sea lions, a belted king fisher, pairs of Canada geese, flocks of Bonaparte’s gulls and more! We had started our adventure with pigeon guillemot sightings along the eastern coast of Guemes and Jack Islands, and a visit with some darling Steller sea lions on a navigational buoy near Sinclair.

Hearing word of more whales to the south, we ventured down Rosario Strait to Bird Rocks. It was here that we found the T90s! Aka the Whinney the Pooh pod, as the kids are nicknamed Piglet, Tigger and Kanga. This family of four was split into two groups, matriarch Eagle with her youngest daughter and siblings Piglet and Tigger traveling side by side. Eagle and Kanga took our breath away with a surprise close pass to end our encounter.

We cruised home via Guemes Channel from there, the peak of Kulshan guiding us home. It truly was such a spectacular spring day, with 22 Bigg’s killer whales encountered.

- Sam