Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's killer whales (T19s)
Harbor seals
Bald eagle
Sea otter
Steller sea lions

August 11, 2026 | 10 AM and 3 PM Whale Watch

10 AM

This morning we decided to search to the north, aiming up Rosario Strait. At Pea pod rocks, we stopped to say hello to several hauled out harbor seals and a bald eagle perched low down in the grasses. continuing on, we shot up to Sucia where we spotted more harbor seals, pigeon guillemots, and a few king fishers darting about. Curving around to the west, we met up with the T19's, a family of Bigg's killer whales, along the shoreline of San Juan island! This iconic trio is led by matriarch T19 Mooyah (Also known as Nootka), who is estimated to be in her 60s. traveling close by her side were her two mature sons, 31 year old Galliano and 25 year old Spouter. These three cruised close to the shoreline, perhaps scouting for some food. After spending time with these three we took an inner island route home, shooting through Wasp Pass then aiming for Thatcher Pass. What a lovely morning!

-Amy

3 PM
This afternoon we headed west through Thatcher pass. Turning down Upright channel, we soon crossed into San Juan channel. Here, we stopped at Turn Island for a very rare species, one of the few sea otters we have in the Salish Sea! After visiting with this critter we cruised up San Juan island and met up once again with the T19's, a trio of three Bigg's killer whales! Mother and Matriarch T19 Mooyah led her boys around Yellow Island as they tormented the seals seeking shelter on the exposed rocks. T19B Galliano and T19C Spouter, Mooyah's two mature sons, have some of the most unique dorsal fins around, and we got to watch several beautiful surfacings between the two of them. For our final look, these two boys surfaced on either side of their mom, providing a very lovely image of their unbreakable family bond. After some fantastic looks we headed off, pointing for the gorgeous Peavine Pass. Mt. Baker rose spectacularly in the distance as we cut back into Rosario Strait. Up Rosario, we stopped at Peapod for some harbor seals, then cut over to Sinclair to check out a few sea lions resting on a navigational marker. After such a wildlife packed day, we headed back towards Cap Sante under the warm late summer sunshine. Such a great afternoon!

-Amy