Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's killer whales (T77C & E)
Humpback whale (BCX1795 Scuttle)
Steller sea lions
Harbor seals
Bald eagle
Harbor porpoise

August 7, 2026 | 8 AM, 1 PM and 5 PM Whale Watch

8 AM

This morning we ventured out into Rosario strait to invesitgate Pointer Island. Here, we spotted harbor seals, cormorants, and seagulls utilizing the small exposed rocks. From here, we continued our search to the north and aimed for Sucia Island. We had a small slow down here where we took in the Sucia island coast line, pigeon guillemots flitting over the surface, and a bald eagle resting in the treetops. Cruising back towards Alden bank, we paused for a few steller sea lions resting on the red navigational marker. Poining south, we continued our search down the shoreline of Lummi Island and into Bellingham Bay. Along the way we spotted countless harbor porpoise and had fun pointing them out as they zigged and zagged across the surface. With no reports from anywhere in our zone today, we kept our eyes glued to the binoculars as we covered more ground. We made one final stop along the back side of Guemes Island before turning into Fidalgo Bay and back to Cap Sante. Although we didn't have whales this morning, we put in a massive search effort and still enjoyed a stunning sunny morning on the water with lots of amazing wildlife! We sincerely hope our guests join us again to experience not only our smaller wildlife species but also our whales!

1 PM

How fast things can change in just an hour! heading back out for our afternoon tour we had new reports in Rosario strait, so we headed for Blakely. Soon, we spotted two dorsal fins belonging to T77C Neftali and T77E Misneach! These two Bigg's killer whale brothers cruised down Rosario Strait toward Thatcher Pass. We briefly slowed near Pointer Island as Neftali and Misneach passed by, then we split off to investigate bird rocks. Here, we spotted a few harbor seals hauled out on the rocks and a Steller sea lion taking a few breaths in the shallows. Returning up and around James Island and into Thatcher pass, we caught up with the T77 brothers one last time before cruising home through Lopez Pass and back across Rosario Strait. Such a lovely afternoon!

5 PM

With more reports coming from Rosario Strait this evening, we made our way westwards and met up with Scuttle the humpback, also known as BCX1795. Scuttle has some very unique rake marks on his flukes, making him an easy whale to identify. While on scene we discussed our humpback ID process and these whales' migrations. After getting a few gorgeous surface intervals with Scuttle we cruised a little ways north to Lawson reef where we spotted a few steller sea lions snoozing on the navigational marker. After getting some good looks we continued up towards Blakely Island where we met back up with the T77 brothers, a pair of Bigg's killer whales on a summer adventure away from mom. We cruised with these two through Peavine Pass. Just after the pass, these boys began circling a tiny rocky island, making two complete circles tight against the rocks and kelp and scaring the tiny seals on the island half to death before moving on. Such a cool finale before we pointed south! We spotted a bald eagle along the shoreline of Blakely as we got going, and from there we cruised home after a phenomenal evening! -Amy