Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg’s killer whales: T124A2s & T124A4s
Harbor seals
Nesting cormorants
Rhinoceros auklets being harassed by orcas

June 7, 2026 | 1 PM Whale Watch

The southernly winds mellowed just in time for our afternoon orca encounter! We had the joy of spending time with the incredibly social T124A2s and T124A4s, two pods of three led by sisters Elkugu and Sabio. The cousins were so playful and social at the surface, chasing rhinoceros auklets, spyhopping, showing flukes and being all around rambunctious. Meanwhile, the matriarchs had their eye out for lunch, and did appear to successfully take down a harbor seal. They ate their meal on the go, but we caught glimpses of meat between their teeth and watched a growing slick follow their movements. What an epic encounter!

We enjoyed scenic views of the Deception Pass bridge as we cruised beneath it. We were almost perfectly at slack, making for remarkably smooth sailing through this normally turbulent pass. We had also enjoyed an earlier slowdown at Williamson Rocks, where both double crested cormorants and pelagic cormorants were nesting, pigeon guillemots were chatting, gulls were scoping out nesting sites and harbor seals were sun bathing. This National Wildlife Refuge was rich with sea life today.

All-in-all a beautiful afternoon!

- Sam