Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's killer whales
Steller sea lions
Harbor porpoises
Harbor seals
Bald eagles

August 14, 2026 | 8 AM and 1 PM Whale Watch

8 AM

Even after a 60 mile round trip searching all around the Salish Sea, we had a fluke trip to start our day. But instead of focusing on the things we did not see, we were able to focus on all of the wildlife we did get to see! We started off our trip avoiding the fog and heading into clear blue waters on the back side of Guemes Island. We pointed North and searched in clear areas the whole time, we lucked out with the lack of fog! We saw two Stellar Sea Lions on the Sinclair Navigation Marker. We then continued to push North and crossed all the way over to Canada through the Strait of Georgia. We did a few slow downs to really scan the current lines before turning around and pointing back to the US. We saw up close looks of the Patos Island Lighthouse and lots of wildlife on the backside of Sucia Island! We saw dozens of Piegon Guillemots vocalizing and cannon ball diving all together! We saw two mature bald eagles and one juvenile hanging out near mom or dad. There were also dozens of harbor seals along the shore including a mom and pup pair. Then we turned and noticed Clements Reef had not only a ton of Harbor Seals on it, but also three or more Stellar Sea Lions in the water showing off their flippers! On our way back into Cap Sante Marina we saw some crazy harbor porpoise action! They were circling the boat and had a baby in the group! It was a great way to end a trip. Even though we did not see whales, we saw so much more of what the salish sea has to offer! It was a wildlife filled start to the day. We are hopeful whales will make their way into the area for the afternoon! - Clare

1 PM

With renewed spirits, we turned out of Guemes Channel this afternoon to meet a thick fog bank resting in Rosario Strait. We weren't deterred, though, and into the fog we went. Plunging down into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, we finally burst free into blue skies just after Smith Island. Getting reports from the south, we continued towards Port Townsend. Just north of Admiralty Inlet, we slowed to scan for three Bigg's killer whales reported in the area. After a few minutes of searching, we spotted T100C Laurel's tall dorsal fin in the distance! This 24-year-old male was accompanied by the usual suspects: his mother, T100 Hutchins, and his little brother, T100F Estrella. These three were in full blown scouting mode, searching for food about a quarter mile apart from each other. We spent the most time with Estrella, who was at the center of the scouting formation. Laurel covered the left flank while Hutchins held the right. We got some absolutely stunning looks at this family as they slowly made their way west. The Olympic Mountains, shaded a dusky, wildfire-smoke lilac, provided the most surreal backdrop. With our time running out, we got one last look at Laurel before turning back north. Stopping at Lawson Reef, we checked out a few Steller sea lions before returning to a much clearer Rosario Strait. On our return trip, we talked about ongoing killer whale research here in the Salish Sea, as well as the countless discoveries we've made about Bigg's killer whale social structures since photo ID work began decades ago. A lovely afternoon indeed and a testament to the fact that much can change in just a few hours! -Amy