Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's killer whales (T36s, T37As)
Humpback whale (Raptor)
Harbor seals
Bald eagles
Tufted puffins

August 1, 2026 | 8 AM, 1 PM, and 5 Whale Watch

8 AM

We had such a wildlife packed morning and a sharp eyed guest spotted our orcas! Getting off the dock bright and early we aimed north and cruised along the east side of Guemes Island. Shooting up to Vendovi, we spotted a large haul out of harbor seals and scanned the tree tops for any raptors. Further up by Sinclair, we spotted a few sea lions squeezing onto a navigational marker as well as a few cormorants nesting in the marker's upper pockets. Popping over to Pea pod rocks for a moment, we spotted more harbor seals and two mature bald eagles perched down low against the grasses and rocks. After this stop we turned down Rosario Strait and into a small pocket of light drizzling rain. We passed stunning fog banks gathered up against the islands, however the waters remained clear and perfect for spotting. Pushing south and out of the rain, we passed Bird Rocks and one of our guests alerted us that they'd spotted a few dorsal fins in the distance. Swinging back around, we scanned until we spotted them... a gorgeous family of Bigg's killer whales! It didn't take long to determine that we'd found the T36s, led by T36 Flapjack. This is such a unique group because it holds four generations of killer whales. T36 Flapjack traveled with her second born daughter T36B Tattertip. Tattertips first born, T36B1 Bhotia, was also in the mix, and with Bhotia was her first born, T36B1A Maple! Also present were Tattertip's other kiddos, T36B2 Greenfelder and T36B4 Auk. When we first got on scene this group was spread out and traveling in pairs, but soon they grouped together and we got some gorgeous family photos of the pod. After visiting with Flapjack and her family, we pushed further south to Smith island where we got some phenomenal looks at a rare bird species-- tufted puffins! We were also able to spot a yellow billed loon tucked in very shallow in the kelp beds close to the shoreline. With so much wildlife under our belts, we cruised back home and discussed the importance of individual identification in our killer whale population. - Amy

1 PM

With the sea state deteriorating to the south, and the morning whales lost to Poseidon’s wrath, we set off on a new adventure this afternoon in search of calmer seas and wildlife. This journey took us through Guemes Channel and north up Bellingham Channel. As we passed Cypress Head, Captain Tyson spied a mature bald eagle high atop a snag. We slowed to admire this raptor and the vivid madrona trees around it. We pushed past Point Lawrence where Bonaparte’s gulls were soaring and rhinoceros auklets fishing. Weaving through the outer island chain, we slowed at Clements Reef to visit with two different pinniped species. Massive Steller bulls were sunbathing atop the reef while tiny harbor seals and pups gave the boys their space. Seeing these two species side by side is a somewhat rare treat in the heart of the San Juans, as they tend to find separate haul out spaces. We continued on, scanning the southern Patos shoreline and before rounding the northwestern most tip. The Patos Lighthouse stood as a beacon to mariners, guiding us from Boundary Pass to the Strait of Georgia. We ventured out to Alden Bank, eyes glued to the binoculars for any hint of a blow or dorsal fin. While we did not see cetaceans, we did find evidence of the food web in action, bird mills concentrating on the shallows of the bank. We pushed south towards Viti Rocks and into Bellingham Bay, slowing to visit with some snoozing Steller sea lions cuddled up together on a navigational marker. We continued into Bellingham Bay, passing the occasional harbor porpoise but no larger cetaceans. It’s so seldom that we don’t see orcas, humpbacks, grays or minkes on our adventures, but every once in a while the stars don’t align. Not for lack of effort though, as we covered nearly 60 nautical miles together and encountered a multitude of incredible Salish Sea species along the way! We hope this afternoons guests return for another shot with us in the future. - Sam

5 PM

With renewed determination, we set off on our evening adventure! As we exited Guemes Channel, we heard word from a friend that a humpback had been sighted to the northwest. Hope! We set off up Bellingham Channel, rounded Point Lawrence and aimed for Saturna Island. A bit of Déjà vu for the crew, but we were optimistic the results would be different this time around. As we neared Saturna, the skies opened up above the Canadian Gulf Islands. Both rain and sun shone down upon Boundary Pass, making for a scene straight out of a fairytale. The way the evening light played off the droplets was positively breathtaking.

We slowed as we neared Saturna, keeping an eye out for blows…Captain Tyson and First Mate Sam spied the towering exhalation beyond Boiling Reef! Hello Raptor, it’s good to see you again. This Salish Sea regular is a mama several times over, and has been returning to these waters for at least 21 years. She led us steadily up the Strait of Georgia, showing off her flukes with each deep dive.

Eventually it came time to leave her, and make our turn south. As we booked it towards the outer islands, guests had the opportunity to watch the movie projected on the massive outdoor deck screen of the cruise ship we were racing down the strait. What a bizarre juxtaposition to the connection with nature we’d just experienced. As we passed Clement’s Reef, the sun setting behind us, guests who had been on the stern of the boat races to find our crew. “We saw blows!” First Mate Eric went to verify, and sure enough, our lucky gusts had spied Bigg’s killer whales amongst the flocking gulls at this upwelling zone! It’s crazy how much can change from trip to trip out here.

We enjoyed a memorable encounter with mother-son duo T37A (Volker) & T37A2 (Inky). They zigzagged around the reefs, before working their way towards Echo Bay. They wowed us with a surprise close pass and a dramatic spyhop! An epic finale to a stunning evening on the water.

The sun set behind us as we pushed back to the east, slowing only to visit with Stellers on a navigational marker. We raced the darkness home, watching golden hour fade to blue hour before we rounded Cap Sante Lookout. - Sam