Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

T65B's (Chunk, Birdsall, Nettle, Rook)
Harbor seals
Stellar sea lions
Pelagic and Brandt’s cormorants
Great Blue Herons

September 17, 2026 | 1 PM Whale Watch

Sunny September days are a well-kept secret in Washington – and this afternoon was nothing short of breath-taking. Cerulean skies and warm breezes beckoned as we departed Cap Sante Marina and headed into Guemes Channel. Glass calm seas greeted us as we made the turn into Bellingham channel, up the coasts of Guemes and Cypress Island. We basked in the sunshine at slow speeds, scanning the coastlines for madrona trees and nesting bird species as we slowly made our way north. Spying an occupied red channel marker up ahead, we slowed to visit with three snoozing stellar sea lions, one of whom perked up with a pose as we gently approached. The thermoregulating trio managed to fit on the marker with no trouble, as they were juveniles and not fully grown yet! At the top of the marker, Pelagic Cormorants and a lone Brandt’s

Cormorant (showing off its brilliant blue throat) tended to their nests. Making a turn to the south just past Sinclair Island, we sailed by peapod rocks, which were filled with harbor seals! Every corner we turned, a new group appeared on the rocky pilings.

As we passed the last of the peapod rocks, we spied the blows and dorsal fins of some early morning reports just ahead of us! Slowly catching up to our fellow whale-watching vessels, we fell into line to visit with the T65B’s family of killer whales. The family was tightly grouped together, swimming in travelling mode with frequent surfacing and decreased down-times. Chunk, the matriarch, led the family, and Birdsall, Nettle, and Rook followed close behind their mama. Mount Baker loomed majestically in the backdrop, with not one cloud covering the foothills. Stunned by the scenery, glassy seascape, and sunshine, we followed the pod as they slowly crossed in front of the mountain. Towards the end of our encounter, the pod appeared to be hunting and prey-sharing, with quick changes of direction and increased surface activity.

Deciding we wanted to enjoy this stunning September day for a bit longer, we made the turn and headed south to Deception Pass. The pass was as serene and still as could be, with brilliant green waves and nearby lounging harbor seals inviting us through. Learning about the history of the area as we slowly cruised, every passenger joined us on the deck to admire the coastlines and the looming 180-foot bridge. Several Great Blue Herons soared alongside us, with impressive wingspans hovering just above the water surface. The journey home brought us into Burrows Bay and back into Guemes Channel. What a beautiful way to spend one of the last days of Salish Sea summer!

-Juna