Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg's Killer Whales: T19s, T35As, T49As, T50s
Steller Sea Lions
Harbor Seals
Black Oyster Catchers
Harbor Porpoises

October 8, 2026 | 1 PM Whale Watch

Today's adventure was a great reminder that while we can't control the wildlife or where we find it, patience and perseverance often pay off!

With thick fog rolling in and out throughout the day, we knew our best bet was to head west toward clear skies and open water. We were reassured of this decision when we heard reports of whales in Haro Strait. We cut through the fog banks in Rosario Strait, spotting common murres and cormorants amidst the mist. Slowing at Pointer Island, we spied black oystercatchers, a single harbor seal and flocks of cormorants (Brant's and double crested) and gulls. Cruising through the islands was smooth, with hardly a ripple until we reached Canadian waters. We'd slowed at Pole Pass where bull kelp flowed and jellies drifted past, then again at Flattop Island where dozens of harbor seals were hauled out atop the sculpted sandstone shorelines and an eagle perched in the treeline. As we crossed into Canadian waters, blows dotted the shoreline of Pender Island. It was a large group of Bigg's Killer Whales, including the T19s, T49As (minus A1 &A2) and members of the T50s (T50D confirmed). We viewed them from a distance as they hugged the western Pender shoreline; Galliano and Spouter's fins were easy to see even from afar.

As it turns out, just as we reached this report of whales, another pod was seen offshore of Washington Park in Anacortes. Sometimes I think Mother Nature has a sense of humor. After some time with the Pender Bigg's, we wanted to try our luck relocating the report so close to home, so we booked it back through the islands, taking Peavine Pass towards Rosario Strait. We enjoyed a close pass by a bald eagle in flight near Jones State Park and glimpsed a speedy belted kingfisher in Peavine Pass. As we entered Rosario, we split up the search with some of our fellow PWWA captains. The boat that searched Rosario came up empty, as did the vessel that searched Bellingham Channel. We crossed our fingers that our search of the waters around Viti and Vendovi Islands would prove fruitful. We scanned and scanned, but there were no fins to be seen. Just as we were about to give up hope, Captain Carl's voice rang out from the speakers: "We got ‘em!"

Carl had found the pod near Saddlebag State Park, and we enjoyed an incredible and intimate encounter with the T35As, a quickly growing pod. It’s not very common to see a Bigg’s pod with two young calves, but both Lester (T35A) and her eldest daughter Opal (T35A1) were sighted with new babies in July of this year. They have officially been given the designations T35A5 & T35A1A, T35A5 appears to be the older of the two. These little whales were full of energy, and very playful with one another during the encounter. We suspect based on their behavior, and the smell that hung in the air, that the pod successfully completed a hunt before we arrived. They were in high spirits; we witnessed a dramatic spyhop, cartwheels, tail slaps and more. We also watched them take interest in a crab pot or two, the buoys disappearing beneath the surface as the orcas tugged at the lines. It was a truly epic conclusion to an adventurous afternoon spent exploring the Salish Sea.

Sam