Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Humpback whales BCX0870 Scoop and calf
Mom and pup harbor seal pairs
Bald eagles
Steller sea lions
Sunset great blue heron

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

8 AM

Our early morning journey began with a slow cruise out of Cap Sante Marina, and along the backside of Guemes Island. We gently pushed north and scanned the area, searching for reports from late the previous night. After a lengthy search, we journeyed to the northern tip of Cypress Island, and slowed at Towhead Island, where we admired dozens of lounging harbor seals and a majestic bald eagle surveying from the tree tops. Just a bit further on, we spotted a feeding stellar sea lion in the middle of the waterway, poking its nose up from the surface. In the same area, a lovely great blue heron was soaring the madrona tree-filled coastline. Turning west, we sailed through peavine pass, admiring the stunning coastlines. Continuing south along the west side of Lopez Island, we aimed straight for the Strait (of Juan de Fuca) through Cattle Pass, to follow up on some early morning reports from shore. In the Strait, the entire boat was outside searching with binoculars, for any sign of whale activity. We cruised past eagle point on San Juan Island, and made the turn back east, scanning as far as the fog would let us. Slowing up at Salmon Bank, we rolled with the choppy waves and did not let up on the search. We spent time with two more beautiful bald eagles on Castle Island, who were proudly perched on the tip of the cliffs. As time was against us, we slowly made the turn for home, and journeyed north up Rosario strait. Bird Rocks was our next slow-up, and we breathed in the pungent air while admiring snoozing harbor seals, cormorants, gulls, and a fishing stellar sea lion. Further north, as we began to make the turn into Guemes Channel, we were alerted by a passenger to a possible dorsal fin behind us, and quickly stopped to inspect. After looking around for a few minutes, we realized the disturbance in the water was not caused by a whale, but instead by a male stellar sea lion attempting to launch himself onto a red channel marker! We inched up to the red can just in time to watch the flying leap, and near immediate jump back into the cold water in search of fish. Now at the end of our journey, we cruised back through Guemes Channel towards home. Despite our extensive search not resulting in whales this morning, we were lucky to spend time with multiple active pinniped species and gorgeous birds, all while admiring the stunning mountain ranges of Washington finally visible after a week of smoke. -Juna

1 PM

This afternoon we picked up reports of whales to the south, so we turned down Rosario strait and aimed for south Lopez. Here, we cruised by Castle island, spotting two mom pup harbor seal pairs, king fishers darting about, and a bald eagle high in the tree tops watching over the whole scene. Pushing further into the strait of Juan de Fuca, we bumped into some humpback whales off the west side of San Juan! This pair turned out to be BCX0870 Scoop and her new calf! We loved getting to welcome this little one to the Salish sea, and got to see a tail throw from mom soon after we got on scene! We stuck with Scoop and her calf for as long as we could before it was time to head home. Such a phenomenal trip with so many moms around! -Amy

5 PM

This evening we decided to cruise back down Rosario Strait and into a slightly windier strait of Juan de Fuca. Here, we met back up with humpback momma BCX0870 Scoop. Her calf stuck by her side, surfacing in the chop and throwing up impressive exhalations in the evening light. We got to see Scoop give a massive tail throw, and shortly after we saw her calf attempt a tail throw themselves! This calf was definitely being a little silly, giving a few more tail throws and some tail swipes. When we passed Castle island, we turned in and checked out south Lopez. Here, we spotted a few seals on the rocks and a bald eagle soaring overhead. Another bald eagle could be heard chittering high in the tree tops of castle, and two belted king fishers flitted around against the cliffside. After our visit at Castle, we returned to Scoop and her calf for a few last looks. Once back into Rosario Strait, we waved goodbye to Scoop and cruised up to Bird rocks. Here, we spotted gulls, cormorants, more harbor seals, and a sea lion swimming around in the kelp forest. We made one last search route up Guemes channel and around to the Saddlebags, where we spotted a great blue heron taking flight against a stunning sunset. Such a lovely evening exploring the Salish Sea! - Amy