Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's killer whales (T123s, T46Bs, T100s, & T101s)
Steller sea lions
Bald eagles
Harbor seals
Harbor porpoises
Sea otter

July 12, 2026 | 10 AM and 3 PM Whale Watch

10 AM

It was a clear and sunny morning as we departed from Cap Sante Marina. We waved hello to a great blue heron guarding the entrance to the harbor, and slowly inched our way into Rosario Strait. The open water was teeming with activity, as we spied hundreds of sea birds flocking together and feasting on bait balls. Rhinocerous auklets, pelagic cormorants, and glaucous-winged gulls showed off their fishing skills as we slowly cruised by. Nearby, we visted with a snoozing stellar sea lion on a red channel marker, who lazily rolled on his back as we too basked in the bright sunshine.

After only a couple minutes with this pinniped, we received news of reports just up ahead in Lopez pass! We quickly made our way to fellow whale-watching friends, who had found a pod of orca whales leisurely traveling close to shore. We followed along as the T46Bs displayed a variety of behaviors - spyhopping, splashing, fanning out, and milling at the surface for minutes at a time. We never knew quite what to expect with each surfacing, which is exactly what we expect when spending time with wildlife!

After spending nearly 45 minutes with this lively family and their new calf, Pi, we waved goodbye and headed north towards news of a second killer whale pod. On the way, we slowed at Pointer Island to visit with some lounging harbor seals and brand-new pups, and then continued pushing towards the outer islands of the San Juan archipelago. As we reached Matia island, we spied a tall, 6-foot dorsal fin on the horizon, and slowly fell into a cruise with the T123s. We quietly admired this beautiful family during their sleepy travels, and then slowly made the turn for home.

Just before turning our last corner into the marina, we glimpsed two distinct white heads among the emerald greenery of Guemes island, and paused to gaze at the majestic bald eagles. A nursing harbor seal mom and pup were waiting inside the harbor to welcome us back home. Such a diverse and wildlife-rich tour spent in the warm summer breezes! -Juna

3 PM

What a lovely evening we had!! We began cruising towards thatcher pass, stopping briefly at pointer island for a look at some cormorants, gulls, and a few seals bobbing in the water. A little further west at willow island, we spotted a mom and pup harbor seal pair! Cruising past Shaw, we spotted a second mom pup seal pair!! These little babies are really starting to take over. Pushing up to Waldron, we met up with the T46Bs, a three generation pod of Bigg‘s killer whales led by T46B Raksha! After getting a stunning look at Raksha and her kiddos, including her youngest T46B8 Pi born just a few months ago, we pushed south towards San Juan.

Here, we met up with a second group, the T100s and T101s. This was such a lovely pod to spend time with because we got to witness a family reunion! Typically T101 Reef travels with her two adult sons T101A Rush and T101B Lagoon, and her presumed mature daughter T100 Hutchins travels separately with her own kids. However today we got to see Hutchins catching up with her momma! Reef was also able to spend some time with her grandcalves, 24 year old T100C Laurel and 14 year old T100F Estrella. Reef, Hutchins, and Laurel swam together, offering some amazing side by side photos with all three generations. Estrella swam slightly behind this group and Rush and Lagoon brought up the rear. With the afternoon light, their exhalations shot up against the glassy dark water like golden fireworks, leaving us all in awe. After our lovely encounter, we cruised home and discussed our photo ID process as well as the inspiring story of Raksha‘s mother, T46 Wake. - Amy