Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's killer whales (T77C & T77E)
Harbor seals
Bald eagles
Turkey vultures

August 4, 2026 | 10 AM and 3 PM Whale Watch

10 AM

A thick smokey haze has settled in over the Salish Sea, but that didn't prevent us from finding lots of wildlife on our adventure! We started our journey in waters yet unsearched, cruising up the eastern coastlines of Guemes and Sinclair Islands. Pigeon guillemots soared across the bow and a beautiful bald eagle flew overhead as we scanned towards Bellingham Bay. We cut west in Northern Rosario Strait, slowing at the Peapods for a wildlife stop. A juvenile and a mature bald eagle were present and turkey vultures soared high overhead. Harbor seals, including pups, were hauled out along the shore, while black turnstones were perfectly camouflaged with the rocky intertidal zone. On South Peapod, a great blue heron perched above sleeping harbor seals.

We worked our way west through Obstruction Pass, cruising with the wind through Upright Channel and San Juan Channel towards Cattle Pass. The conditions were glassy in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. We visited with dozens of Steller sea lions hauled out at Whale Rocks. The backdrop of the Cattle Point Lighthouse with black oystercatchers, gulls, cormorants and Stellers in the foreground, made for a fun photo opportunity. As we arrived at Whale Rocks, we heard of whales nearby! Siblings Neftali (T77C) and Misneach (T77E) were working every contour of the shoreline along Lopez Island. They led us west through the maze of bays and rocky islands. The excitement culminated when they chased a river otter out of the water and onto shore.

We enjoyed a scenic cruise east along Lopez and back to Rosario Strait, sighting alcids and the occasional harbor porpoise dorsal fin along the way. - Sam

3 PM

We set off to the north, cruising up Bellingham Channel and the stunning Cypress shoreline. Eagle-eyes Captain Tyson spied a bald eagle in the tree line, and our attentive passengers spied harbor porpoises off the bow. We continued north to a navigational marker west of Sinclair Island where Steller sea lions were hauled out and dozing. At least four were cuddled up next to one another, and a fluffy little pelagic cormorant chick could be seen tucked behind their parent in the nest built within the marker’s rafters. The Peapod Islands were teeming with life. A wake of turkey vultures was gathered and a couple of mature bald eagles too. Black turnstones called from amongst the rocky intertidal where dozens of harbor seals were hauled out.

We continued west via Obstruction Pass, spying pigeon guillemots nearshore. Frost Island now in sight, we angled towards the most recent reports of whales. Siblings Neftali and Misneach (T77C & E) were continuing their shoreline explorations form this morning. We met up with them just north of Spencer Spit, and they wowed us with a dramatic surfacing right off our port side. They proceeded to transition from scouting mode to social hour on and off as they led us up past the Lopez Island ferry terminal. Our encounter culminated in a rather mature-rated display of orca anatomy, older brother Neftali on full display while sibling Misneach showed belly at the surface. We suspect Misneach to be a little brother after tonight’s shenanigans.

We enjoyed the evening light as we cruised back to the east, passing bird mills and porpoises near South Cypress on our journey back to Cap Sante. -Sam