Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg’s Killer Whales (T49As)
Steller Sea Lions
Bald Eagles
Canada Geese Goslings
Pigeon Guillemots

May 18, 2026 | 1 PM Whale Watch

Today’s tidal cycle was one of the most extreme we will experience all year! It was wild arriving in the marina to see so much of the intertidal zone exposed, and so little water left to float in… It made us even more exited to get out and experience the currents and upwellings that this much water movement was certainly creating. We weren’t disappointed! Guemes Channel and Rosario Strait were a roiling cauldron, and the pelagic cormorants and rhinoceros auklets seemed to be taking advantage of the feeding opportunity.

Reports of whales had us booking it west today, crossing through Thatcher and Cayou passes and out via Spieden Channel. We spied little pigeon guillemots along the way, their little red feet such a contrast to the emerald waters churning beneath them.

We crossed into Canadian waters near D’Arcy Island, where we met up with the T49As! This family of six Bigg’s killer whales were letting the tide carry them, swiftly south. Little Nimbus, Nan’s newest calf born just this year, was tucked up against her side to more easily keep up with the pod.

At one point Nat and some of his younger siblings stopped and seemed to have found something to hunt or play with. They fell behind, circling a set spot, diving deep, but we never saw evidence of what they were engaging with. Meanwhile, Nan just logged nearby, perhaps an opportunity for Nimbus to nurse. Throughout this encounter, guests spotted a harbor seal and Steller sea lion surface close to our position! Clever pinnipeds to stay away from the predators lurking nearby.

We enjoyed a scenic cruise home, stopping at Spieden to scan for wildlife along the way. Goslings were following their parents on the grassy slopes, eagles soared overhead, their shadows moving across the grasslands and Steller sea lions were hauled out at Green Point.

- Sam