Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's killer whales (T100s)
Humpback whale (CRC-23509)
Bald eagles
Harbor seals
Harbor porpoises
Mouflon sheep

July 21, 2026 | 10 AM and 3 PM Whale Watch

10 AM

A smokey haze has settled over the Salish Sea, but orcas are back! After a few days' hiatus, Bigg's have once again been sighted in the heart of the Salish Sea. The T100s, Hutchins, Laurel and Estrella were working the eastern contour of Middle Bank. Their surfacings were so beautifully synchronized, T100C's dorsal fin towered above his mother and little sibling. We ventured over towards McArthur Bank next, where little humpback whale CRC-23509 was swimming among flocks of rhinoceros auklets. This little humpback was born to Salish Sea regular "Smiley" just last year! We were excited to see them returning to the feeding ground their mother taught them to use. This little whale gave us a close curious pass following a deep dive that took our breath away, literally, before continuing south toward Smith Bank. Sneaky little whale.

We also visited the Bird Rocks National Wildlife Refuge at the start of our adventure. We found nesting double crested cormorants with an interloping Brant's sitting in a nest, glaucous-winged gull chicks were all over the place, and harbor seal pups were here and there looking adorable. We visited Steller sea lions on the Lawson Reef navigational marker, at least four were all snuggled up, using each other as pillows. Pelagic cormorants perched on the marker above them. Harbor porpoises popped up here and there throughout our transit between Rosario Strait, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and home through Guemes Channel. What a perfect morning full of marine mammal and bird activity! - Sam

3 PM

A stunning evening with Bigg’s killer whales! We took an inner-island route and soaked in all the beautiful views. We spotted bald eagles and turkey vultures in the tree tops, and made a wildlife cruise around the backside of Speiden Island. Here, lots of mouflon sheep were darting on the hills and in the trees!

Finally, we circled around and met up with the T100s pod of Bigg’s killer whales. Present were mom “Hutchins”, her son “Laurel” and “Estrella”! The pod was working the shoreline and started spread out, but moved closer together and we got some amazing passes. Laurel’s massive dorsal fin stood out amongst his family as they popped up, getting lots of ooohs and ahhs.

We couldn’t have asked for a more serene encounter with hot temps, flat waters, and orca whales!

- Juliann