Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's killer whales (T49Bs minus B2 & B4, T50D, T49As minus A2 & A1, T128 & T125A)
Gray whales (CRC-2702)
Harbor porpoises
Steller sea lions
Harbor seals
Bald Eagles
Turkey vultlures
Belted kingfishers

June 27, 2026 | 10 AM and 3 PM Whale Watch

10 AM Tour

We set course for the north! Knowing smooth seas awaited us in the outer island chain, and that our friends were searching the waters to the south and west, we set off to explore waters yet to be searched that day. We sighted so many pigeon guillemots as we cruised past Jack Island, their little red feet catching the morning sun as they chased each other through the skies. We turned into Bellingham channel, cutting past the northern coastline of Guemes, working our way past the Cone Islands and north towards Rosario Strait. We slowed at a red navigational marker to visit with several snoozing Stellers. They were snuggled up and using each other as pillows as they warmed in the morning sun. Above them, Pelagic cormorants tended to their nests. We pushed past the eastern coastline of Clark Island, north along Matia and then turned back to the south at eastern Sucia. Smooth seas made spotting every alcid and harbor porpoises that much easier, though the warming air was certainly causing a bit of heat distortion on the distant horizon. We hugged the northern Orcas shoreline, marveling at the steep tree-lined cliffs and several bald eagles perched there. As we rounded Point Lawrence, we pushed down to the Peapods where dozens of harbor seals were hauled out, eagles were scanning the waterline, turkey vultures searched the rocky shoreline for a meal and the calls of black oyster catchers could be heard from amongst the rocks.

We continued the search in southern Rosario from here, scanning from the Cypress to Blakely shorelines. We passed small flocks of rhinoceros auklets and gulls as we watched the current lines form with the tidal exchange. As we passed between James and Decatur, we discussed the importance of healthy eel grass meadows and bull kelp forests in bolstering the productivity within the Salish Sea food web. It was around this time that Captain Tyson sighted a blow on the distant horizon!

We slowed to investigate, and sure enough, a gray whale was feeding amongst gathered flocks of gulls off eastern Lopez Island. This beautiful baleen whale was sifting through the sediment of the shallows for invertebrate prey, as evident by the plumes that arose from the depths with them. This memorable encounter provided us an opportunity to discuss the importance of cetaceans as indicator species for environmental change. With a final wave of its flukes, we bade CRC-2702 farewell.

Our final wildlife stop of the day came not long after, as we slowed to scan Bird Rocks for activity. Double crested cormorants were perched in their nests, so were the glaucous winged gulls who must now be incubating eggs. We spotted a couple of harlequin ducks swimming near the bull kelp and several little pigeon guillemots as well. It was a beautiful morning spent exploring the heart of the Salish Sea, and we had the opportunity to meet many unique species along the way!

Sam

3 PM Tour

Tonight was truly an example of just how much can change between trips here in the Salish Sea, and that we never know what Mother Nature has in store! With few sightings of whales this morning, we set off on a new course this afternoon, hoping to try our luck to the west. We never would have anticipated the three separate Bigg’s encounters that followed!

We'd cut through the heart of the islands, taking Thatcher and Wasp Passes, pigeon guillemots flew by and harbor porpoise dorsals broke the surface throughout the journey. We slowed as we approached Spieden Island, scanning hard for life. Mouflon sheep grazed upon the dry grass, fallow deer hung near the trees, turkey vultures warmed their wings in the sun while bald eagles perched near them, harbor seals hauled out on the shoreline and pigeon guillemots soared all around us. By this time, a group of whales had been picked up nearby, but we had heard rumors of another sighting further south and wanted to test our luck and whale spotting skills. This proved to be the right move, as we found a pod of Bigg’s killer whales rounding Kellet Bluff!

It turned out to be T49B, T49B3, T49B5 & T50D! This was a grouping we don't get to visit with often in the heart of the Salish Sea, so our crew was particularly excited. We watched in awe as they proceeded to hunt right against the rocky cliffs, their blows brilliantly illuminated in the evening sun. It was truly such a stunning setting. After finishing up their meal, they continued north up the Henry Island shoreline, leading us towards our second Bigg’s encounter…

Non other than the T49As, kin of the T49Bs, were finishing up a hunt of their own on the back side of Spieden Island. Little T49A7 spyhopped and played near mom while Nan logged at the surface, the rest of her kids circling close by. While on their longer dives, we enjoyed close looks at harbor seals, bald eagles and belted king fishers along the coast. The emerald water was teeming with forage fish, making for yet another spectacular backdrop to our whale encounter.

We were reveling in our luck as we cruised back through the heart of the islands, still riding the high from all our wildlife encounters. As we were discussing the history of little Charlie II’s namesake, Captain Tyson interrupted with an important message…MORE BIGG’S!!! Brothers Flotsam (T128) and Jetsam (T125A) were working their way north between Lopez and Blakely, their towering dorsal fins hard to miss. Would the luck ever cease?

After a quick encounter, we raced for home, thankful for another memorable day spent exploring the incredible Salish Sea.

- Sam