Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's killer whales (T46Bs & T123s)
Gray whale (CRC-2702)
Steller sea lions
Harbor porpoises
Bald eagles
Harbor seals and pups

July 10, 2026 | 8 AM, 1 PM, and 5 PM Whale Watch

8AM

What's better than waking up with the wildlife? Our morning adventure enjoyed quality time spent with a gray whale, bald eagles, active Steller sea lions and more!

The adventure started with a slowdown at Belle Rock where a mature bald eagle was perched high atop the day marker. Beneath them was a forest of flowing bull kelp, its blades visible at the surface. Nearby, at Bird Rocks, dozens of harbor seals were hauled out within the intertidal zone. There were a few pups in the mix, one actively nursing from mom. Harlequin ducks hid amongst the seals, glaucous winged gulls sat atop nests, black oystercatchers cried out and multiple species of cormorants perched atop the guano caked rocks.

As we pulled away from the rocks, we spied a blow on the horizon. It was gray whale CRC-2702! This friendly gray was feeding in the shallows outside of Lopez Pass, bringing up plumes of sediment with every surfacing from a deeper dive. We enjoyed some peaceful, quality time with this baleen whale as the world woke up around us.

Our journey continued to the north, taking in the steep coastlines of eastern Blakey where eagles perched high in the trees. We cruised past the Peapods and north past Point Lawrence. We drifted and scanned, looking as far as the eye could see up the northern shoreline or Orcas Island, north towards Vancouver City and east towards Lummi Island. We circled back to the southeast, slowing at a navigational marker near Sinclair Island. This was a happening marker, and we watched in amazement as Steller sea lions fought for space atop the buoy. We can't remember literally watching Steller chase each other in circles atop the marker, but that's exactly what was going on this morning, which was comical to say the least. Meanwhile, several more socialized and played amongst the bull kelp. What a social group of sea lions.

We gave a solid search near the western shoreline of Lummi Island before cruising past Viti Rocks, down the eastern side of Vendovi and along Guemes towards home. We found a very surface active group of harbor porpoises as we approached Cap Sante, a lovely finale to a great morning on the water. - Sam

1 PM

With rumors of whales to the north, we set off up the eastern coastline of Guemes Island. The water here was glassy, as it was sheltered from the westerly winds. Little pigeon guillemots flew everywhere we looked, and gulls and cormorants dotted the waters around Sinclair. We slowed to visit with some sleepy Steller sea lions on a nearby navigational marker, their fur all dried out from their morning spent basking in the sun. The search took us through the outer island chain, where we scooted past the coastlines of Barnes and Clark, Matia and Puffin, and the Sucia archipelago before dipping down Presidents Channel. It was at the north end of the channel that we sighted harbor porpoises everywhere we looked! We circled Orcas Island, slowing in Pole Pass to take in the sights. A large gaggle of Canada geese were swimming past flowing bull kelp while turkey vultures and ravens soared overhead. We were saddened to have not located the northerly reports, but were not going to give up on the search!

We pushed east from Pole Pass, taking Cayou and Thatcher passes towards James Island. The steep slopes of James were lined with the red trunks of the Pacific madronas, a striking contrast to the emerald waters beneath. As we passed Decatur Island, we spied a blow on the horizon! It turned out to be gray whale CRC-2702, continuing its feeding session from this morning. Their blow was brilliantly illuminated in the bright afternoon sun, and the wind quickly swept it away. After several nice waves of their flukes, we bade them farewell and made our way towards home. - Sam

5 PM

Heading out this evening we had some reports come through from Lummi island and wasted no time getting there. In North Hales pass we joined the T46B's as they spread out and travelled north. We got some amazing looks and even a few close passes as we followed them out of the pass. Another report soon came in so we waved goodbye to the T46B's and headed around Lummi island. Not long after that we joined up with the T123's as they were returning from a short trip in Canada. After a while Lucky and D'Arcy both started getting playful and gave us some spy hops and breaches. We waved goodbye as they continued toward Bellingham Bay and headed to Pea pod rocks where we found a couple bald eagles and a few good groups of harbor seals. We headed over to Sinclair Island after that and found three Steller sea lions on the boulder reef navigational buoy. It was a perfect end to the evening and we headed back to Anacortes after that. - Tyson