Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Biggs killer whales (T123s & T124A2s)
Harbor seals (RIP)
Steller sea lions
Bald eagles

June 23, 2026 | 1 PM Whale Watch

Today we witnessed the prowess of the oceans’ apex predator first hand, and left with a new appreciation for the phrase “Bigg’s are the balance”. We caught up with the T123s and T124A2s as they were rounding Point Lawrence and working their way down to the Peapods. After passing a pod of harbor porpoises, these seven killer whales slowed prior to reaching the islands, lining up side by side in apparent resting fashion, slowing their breaths and barely drifting along. Whether they were truly resting or just huddling up to make a game plan before they reached this rich haul out zone is hard to say. The dive that followed this mellow surface interval was prolonged, and we were starting to wonder where they’d gotten off to when the water erupted with activity. Both pods seemed to be encircling lunch, presumably a harbor seal although photos could not confirm. They took turns diving deep, breathing heavy with each surfacing. It seemed the activity was mellowing out, but then we saw the families surface right against the rocky island shoreline. Flushing out more prey, or had they lost the first pursuit? When all was said and done, we know at least one hunt was successful by the flocking of gulls and slick of oil that formed at the surface. Dozens of harbor seals were alert and racing for the shallows while all this played out, their little round heads bobbing amongst the rocky protection of Middle Peapod.

Following this successful hunt, we explored the northwestern shoreline of Cypress Island. Eagle Cliff towered above us as we drifted through emerald waters teeming with forage fish and actively hunting alcids. Not too far to the north, we caught a final glimpse of the Bigg’s as they made their way past a Steller covered channel marker. With Kulshan in the backdrop, it was the perfect finale to an incredibly iconic Pacific Northwest wildlife search.

- Sam