Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's killer whales (T100s, T101s)
Sea otter
Steller sea lions
Harbor seals
Bald eagles

August 28, 2026 | 10 AM and 3 PM Whale Watch

This morning we began our search up a stunning and sunny Bellingham channel. At Peapod rocks, we stopped to view harbor seals hauled out along the shore, turkey vultures hunkered in the grasses, and a single mature bald eagle perched atop the rocks. Continuing north, we wrapped up towards the outer islands, pausing at Parker reef for some more seals and another bald eagle just in time to see it take flight and land a short distance away on top of the reef marker. At Waldron, we received exciting reports and turned down Presidents channel towards Spieden Island. Here, we spotted six Bigg's killer whales, which we soon identified as the T100s and T101s! Our two matriarchs, a presumed mother daughter pair, were T101 Reef and T100 Hutchins. Now a mature individual, Hutchins spends most of her time away from Reef, traveling with her own two boys, T100C Laurel and T100F Estrella. However today, it seemed Hutchins was in the mood for some family time. She also got to catch up wither her massive brother, T101B Lagoon, born in 1997. Lagoon and 24 year old Laurel swam together while little Estrella tagged along behind. Their dorsal fins towered high out of the water and left us all in awe after each surfacing.

After visiting with these whales, we took an inner island route home through Wasp and Thatcher pass. Such a stunning route and a lovely cruise home!

3 PM

This afternoon, we pointed for Thatcher pass to get back into the islands. Turning down Upright Channel, we paused at turn rock to check out a rare species... a sea otter tangled in the bull kelp! Continuing down into San Juan channel, we met back up with our whales from this morning, the T100s and T101s. T100 Hutchins is the presumed mature daughter of T101 Reef, and usually travels separately from mom with her two boys in tow. Today though, we witnessed a family reunion. It was so sweet to see these three generations traveling together, seemingly confused on which direction they wanted to set a course for as a massive flood tide surged around them.

After they finally decided to cruise back up San Juan channel, we waved goodbye and turned back east for Peavine Pass. Outside of Peavine, we made a stop at Peapod rocks for some harbor seals, then continued on to the top of Sinclair where we spotted several sea lions hauled out and resting on a navigational marker. Such a wildlife packed afternoon!

Amy