Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg’s killer whales T123s, T124A4s
Harbor seals
Black oystercatchers
Steller carcass being eaten by raptors

May 31, 2026 | 1 PM Whale Watch

A beautiful day spent with Bigg's killer whales!

The T123s and T124A4s, seven Bigg's killer whales, have been spending the past week together and we were happy to meet up with them on this afternoon's tour! Stanley (T123A), seemed a bit taken with Sabio (T124A4), making us wonder if another little might be on the horizon in 16-18 months. These two pods were tightly grouped and social when we met up with them outside of Roche Harbor. The sun made each little ripple shimmer, and the layered backdrop of the Canadian Gulf Islands was a gorgeous setting for this encounter.

On the return trip east, we cruised down the Spieden Island shoreline, hoping to check in on the Steller carcass that has been a point of much interest this week. Soaring raptors, both turkey vultures and bald eagles, guided us to the spot, still gathered in impressive numbers at the sight of this feast. It has been remarkable watching them slowly devour this mammoth Steller bull, helping to recycle its nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Our cruise home retraced our route, offering close-up views of the tree-lined coastlines bordering Wasp, Cayou, and Thatcher passes. We stopped at Pointer Island for harbor seals, glaucous-winged gulls and cormorants, but the screaming black oystercatchers certainly stole the spotlight!

- Sam