Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's killer whales (T36A1 and her new baby)
Humpback whale (BCY0983 Aerie)
Steller sea lions
Harbor seal
Sika deer, fallow deer, mouflon sheep
Bald eagles

October 25, 2026 | 1 PM Whale Watch

We had an amazing day today in the Salish Sea with our true October weather setting in! Gloomy skies overhead and a breeze blowing through the area had the leaves falling and the anticipation building as we headed west.

Our first wildlife was a bald eagle on the Reef Point marker near Cypress Island. From there we searched up to Obstruction Pass before making our way through the heart of the San Juan Islands. Our next slow down was very fruitful and well worth it, as Spieden Island was very busy today. Starting with a raft of Steller sea lions near the boat house, we continued west along the shore where we found Sika deer, Fallow deer, and mouflon sheep. We also spotted multiple bald eagles close to shore which allowed us to get some great photos and looks at the raptors. We branched off from there and joined a humpback known as Aerie BCY0983. They gave us some great looks and even graced with a few soundings of their flukes before a report came into the north.

Captain Carl peeled away from the humpback and took us up into Presidents Channel where we joined T36A1, her oldest calf T36A1A and her brand new baby, first spotted in September. It was such a privilege to get to hang with this new bundle of joy and amazing family group before our time was up. We waved goodbye to the orcas and headed back to Anacortes!

- Tyson