Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's killer whales (T60D &T60E)
Steller sea lions
Harbor seals
Harbor porpoise

August 10, 2026 | 10 AM and 3 PM Whale Watch

10 AM

With lumpy seas forecasted in the Strait of Juan de Fuca this morning, we opted for an inner island route to start out with. Not before we visited the Bird Rocks National Wildlife Refuge, where dozens of harbor seals were thermoregulating, glaucous-winged gull chicks were exploring the rocks, double crested cormorants perched atop their nests, juvenile Brant’s cormorants gathered low along the water’s edge and little pigeon guillemots swam just offshore. From the refuge we turned north for Thatcher Pass, skirting between James and Decatur. We worked our way through Upright Channel and down San Juan Channel, getting our first taste of the turbulent seas in Cattle Pass. We slowed at Whale Rocks to visit with the many Steller sea lions hauled out here, then cut west across Salmon Bank. Our search for whales took us into Canadian territory, just north of the Discovery Islands. Brothers Onca and Lynx (T60D & T60E) were working the current lines, slowly meandering between clouds of sea foam. Lynx has grown up a lot this past year, his dorsal fin now matching the height of his older brother. Our cruise home earned us our sea legs, but Captain Tyson expertly navigated the choppy seas, guiding us along the southern shorelines of San Juan and Lopez Islands and back into the sheltered waters of Rosario Strait. - Sam

3 PM

This afternoon we took an inner island route via Peavine and Wasp pass, shooting out towards Spieden Island. Along the way, we spotted harbor seals, oyster catchers, and Bonaparte's gulls. Rounding the corner into Haro strait, we met up with the T60 brothers, two Bigg's killer whales known as T60D Onca and T60E Lynx. These males have been traveling separate from the rest of their family for some time now, so it was no surprise to see them away from their mom. We got some spectacular looks in stunning afternoon lighting. The low light even allowed for some colorful rain-blows! After our visit with these boys we pointed for Whale rocks. Here, we visited with a large group of Steller sea lions hauled out and resting along the rocks. Continuing eastward, we cruised by Iceberg point and Castle Island, then rounded back to the north up Rosario. Such a lovely evening!