Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's killer whales (T100s)
Harbor seals
Bald eagles
Steller sea lions

July 24, 2026 | 8 AM, 1 PM, and 5 PM Whale Watch

8 AM

With the entirety of the Salish Sea yet to be searched, we set off out of Cap Sante Marina with slowly parting clouds lighting our path. We ventured along the backside of Guemes Island, and entered into Rosario Strait, headed towards a search zone where reports had trailed off late the previous night. Along the way, we slowed by a red channel marker and visited some snoozing stellar sea lions, basking in the July heat. After giving the area a thorough scan for larger mammal activity, we turned our bow south and headed down through Rosario Strait towards the shallow banks of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. As we approached the south end of Lopez Island, we received word of possible whales in the inner islands. We spend some time visiting with harbor seals and cormorants at Whale Rocks, and then quickly headed north yet again in search of the reports. As we approached the zone, we scanned with binoculars and eager eyes, but did not spy any spouts or dorsal fins. Suddenly, we received confirmation that the earlier whales reported had instead turned in the opposite direction, and were now far to the west by Spieden Island! We changed direction and quickly pushed west, and were soon greeted by the beautiful Bigg’s family of the T100’s! Hutchins, Laurel, and Estrella were celebrating a recent kill, welcoming us on scene with a flying breach! We watched in awe as these orcas spyhopped, belly rolled, and even popped up right in front of our vessel and cruised across our bow. Far too soon, we waved goodbye and sailed east towards home. Our thorough searching of the gorgeous Salish Sea was well rewarded! -Juna

1 PM

We departed Cap Sante Marina and made our way around the back side of Guemes Island. We scanned the shore for bald eagles and got to admire how beautiful conditions were as we made our way towards Sinclair Island. We stopped along the way and got to check out some stellar sea lions warming up on top of the navigation marker just off shore of Lummi and Sinclair Island. We then continued on our journey towards Orcas Island and East Point where we caught up with the T100s! We got to watch these Biggs Killer Whales quickly cruise further in towards Canada. They stuck close together and were really cruising! Eventually we decided to see what else we could find closer to home so we made the turn, slowing down at Tumbo Island and Peapod rocks on the way home for seals and other wildlife before arriving back to Cap Sante marina. What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, spending time with lots of wildlife and exploring the Salish Sea! -Clare

5 PM

With our morning and afternoon whales now out of our zone we decided to shake it up for our evening trip! We made a turn south into Rosario and slowed down at Castle to see some Harbor seals and pups hauled out along the rocks! We then made our way towards Salmon Bank where we saw some Stellar Sea lions on top of the navigation marker. They were sleepy and being very peaceful with one another. We then heard of some on shore reports of whales about 20 minutes away, along ten mile point. We were lucky to have enough time to head up there and spend time with T38 C and E, a brother and sister pair that was spotted earlier in the day near the west side of San Juan island. We got to see them play in Bull Kelp and zig zag through the bay. After leaving these whales to head back to the dock, we got to see absolutely beautiful views the whole ride back in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Rosario Strait. We even got to see beautiful Mt Baker for a lot of the cruise home. It was a beautiful night! -Clare