September 11, 2026

September 12, 2026 — Leave a comment

Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

105+ Nautical Miles
Bigg’s killer whales (T60s & T59A4)
4+ Humpback whales (Vega BCX2255, BCY1454, Hammer BCY1222, CRC19569)
Steller & California sea lions
Harbor seals 
Harbor porpoises
3 Lighthouses
Murres, marbled murrelets, red-necked phalaropes, & more!

September 11, 2026 – 1 PM Full Day Tour

Our final full day tour of the season! 105 miles, two types of whales, and more birds than we could count!

Our tour began with a mission: head west! Exciting wildlife reports from earlier in the day helped set our route and, with 6–7 hours ahead of us, we decided to venture farther west than our crew has been in quite some time. Our first wildlife stop was at Castle Rock, south of Lopez Island, where we admired the stunning coastline and watched multiple belted kingfishers darting around the area.

From there, we continued west, carefully scanning the banks and glassy waters for signs of wildlife. Eventually, our patience paid off near Victoria and Sooke! The wait was whale worth it as we came across the T60 pod of Bigg’s killer whales. At first, we counted four whales, but it didn’t take long for our team to notice a fifth mystery whale traveling alongside the group. After further analysis of our photos, we determined it was T59A4 – a first-time encounter for us! T59A4 is presumed to be the niece or nephew of T60, making this a particularly fun potential family connection to witness. The pod continued east, and the excitement quickly escalated as they began hunting. Moments later, it became clear that they had made a kill. Their efficiency is always incredible to watch! They hugged tight towards the shoreline, and after lots of looks, we made the turn to head back east.

The excitement continued as we got to visit a crew-favorite area, Race Rocks!! This ecological reserve is home to a beautiful historic lighthouse and an incredible diversity of marine life. The rocks were covered with California and Steller sea lions, and their boisterous vocalizations made sure we knew they were there! We also spotted oystercatchers, gulls, and cormorants. 

Just past the rocks, humpback whales awaited us! We spotted multiple humpback whales and were able to identify four individuals from their flukes: Vega BCX2255, BCY1454, Hammer BCY1222,  & CRC19569. Three of these individuals have only been sighted in the Salish Sea, so we are curious as to where they winter! Vega however, is a frequent floater, and our last encounter with this whale was at Race Rocks during our August 19th Extended Range Tour. We saw a wide variety of behaviors and surface activity, including a duo of whales who were rolling around in the kelp (check out the photo below)! It was such a cool behavior to witness and truly something we don’t see every day. 

Our journey back home was packed with birds! We spotted hundreds of cormorants and common murres, pairs of marbled murrelets, a great blue heron, and sneaky bald eagle. We love the whales, but birding is quickly becoming a tour staple! Our tour ended with golden hour and calm conditions. Thank to everyone who joined our last specialty tour of the year! 

– Carl, Sam, Eric, Juna, & Juliann 

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September 10, 2026

September 12, 2026 — Leave a comment

Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg’s killer whales (T65Bs)
Tufted puffins!
Steller sea lions 
Harbor seals
September 10, 2026 – 1 PM Whale Watch
What a lovely afternoon spent with the T65Bs and a truly delightful and diverse array of birds. The Strait of Juan de Fuca was where the action was at today, and fortunately we were also sheltered from the worst of the winds down south. Chunk and her boys were spread out over at least a half a mile as they scouted between the banks for prey. As we traveled with them, her two youngest met back up with her, while her eldest trailed a bit behind. Seeing how stealthy these massive dolphins can be gave us a deeper appreciation for their skill as ambush predators. 

We rode the swell to Smith Island following our whale encounter. The tufted puffins were out in force, showing off every stage of the transition to their winter plumage. Some still had impressive tufts, others looked like Albert Einstein, others had no tufts at all, and some had lost nearly all their white plumage and the sheath on their beaks. Amidst the puffins were grebes, cormorants, common murres, rhinoceros auklets, gulls, scorers and more! 

At the start of our journey, we’d had the opportunity to visit Bird Rocks. Steller sea lion bulls were snoozing on shore, stretching their flippers towards the sun. Harbor seals made the rocky shoreline look cozy as they bathed in the warmth of the sunshine. Cormorants of every variety flocked on the islands, black turnstones gathered in their perfectly camouflaged plumage, and gulls galore. 

Another beautiful and wildlife rich adventure out on the Salish Sea! – Sam

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September 9, 2026

September 10, 2026 — Leave a comment

Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg’s killer whales
Tufted puffins
Steller sea lion eating a skate
September 9, 2026 – 1 PM Whale Watch
We were lucky enough to witness several full breaches from the T60 family this afternoon, including an epic display from Yelnats (T60C). This 25-year-old male’s pectoral flippers were massive, and the resulting splash was incredible! This appeared to be a post-hunt celebration, as the gulls and whales were circling a very distinct slick on the water when we arrived. Following this celebration, the family quickly transitioned back into hunting mode, slinking through the shallows along the Smith Island spit where harbor seals warily watched the inky fins slide by their haulout. The family of four (T60D & T60E were not present) worked back and forth between the bull kelp forest stretching south of Smith Island and the spit stretching to the east. It was pretty wild to see how subtle and silent these massive dolphins could be when they wanted.Between watching the orcas, we enjoyed several tufted puffin sightings. These alcids are quickly transitioning to their winter plumage, the black feathers are replacing the white and their beaks are shrinking. We also sighted common loons, grebes, rhinoceros auklets, common murres, pigeon guillemots and more!  We stopped by Minor Island before departing, where double-crested cormorants were perched atop their nests, Brants cormorants were gathered at the waterline, a diverse array of gulls were mixed in and a surprise flock of black-bellied plovers was well camouflaged amongst the pebbles! Other highlights included: – Catching a Steller sea lion bull tearing into a massive skate in Guemes Channel.– Stopping at Bird Rocks where we found harbor seals, black turnstones, harlequin ducks, cormornats and gulls.– Slowing at the Lawson Reef navigational marker where some Stellers were hauled out and snoozing– Cruising beneath the Deception Pass Bridge where harbor seals were swimming, cormorants were flocking and the currents were churning. Such a stunning September day out on the Salish Sea!Sam 

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September 8, 2026

September 10, 2026 — Leave a comment

 Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Humpback CRC-22840Minke whale at Hein BankGlass calm seasLots of bird life
September 8, 2026 – 1 PM Whale Watch
We put on an exhaustive search today combing much of the Strait of Juan De Fuca, but it all ended being worth it in the end. Starting our day to the south we stopped at Bird Rocks to check out some harbor seals and watch the many different sea birds buzz around, including cormorants, gulls, and black turnstones. Continuing from there we received reports in Admiralty Inlet of a whale and we headed that direction. We covered the eastern banks of Juan De Fuca as we headed south and found hundreds of common murres. All though we heavily searched around Admiralty the report and search turned up nothing and we headed back out into the Juan de Fuca. Searching our way to Hein Bank we scored big by finding a humpback whale traveling east. It turned out to be CRC-22840 a calf belonging to BCX0470 Hecate who is a regular to these waters. We got many amazing looks before we had to wave goodbye and continue on. We hadn’t made it very far from the bank when Captain Carl found us a large minke whale that was very cooperative for viewing. We had many good looks before continuing to enjoy the gorgeous afternoon on our way back to Anacortes. It was a perfect day to be on the water and conditions could not be nicer!
-Tyson

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September 6, 2026

September 7, 2026 — Leave a comment

Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg’s killer whales (T65Bs)
Harbor seals
September 6, 2026 – 10 AM & 3 PM Whale Watch
10 AM
There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline rush you get when you’re the first to sight the whales, and today Captain Tyson got to ride that high all morning long. We’d heard rumors of whales to the north early in the day, and were hopeful that we could find the reported group. Calm seas greeted us upon leaving Cap Sante Marina and remained throughout our cruise to Barnes and Clark Islands. Almost two hours had passed since the last report came in, so we scanned diligently from Southern Lummi Island to Puffin Island. As we neared the current lines just north of Clark State Park, Captain Tyson spied inky dorsal fins slicing through the water. Whooohooo! 

Some quick ID work revealed them to be the T65Bs, Chunk and her sons, Birdsall, Corvus and Rook. I was delighted to see them together and seemingly well, as I hadn’t encountered this pod since Corvus stranded on Minor Island on July 16th of this year. The pod meandered through the current lines, ultimately working their way to the sculpted sandstone shorelines of Puffin Island. Here we played peek-a-boo with the whales, as they kept popping in and out of view while circling the shallows around the island. Meanwhile, they played peek-a-boo with the harbor seals along the reef… I don’t think the seals were enjoying the game much, as it appeared the whales made a successful hunt. 

We continued our search for life at the Peapod National Wildlife Refuge. Harbor seals were hauled out along the limited rocky slopes available to them at this higher point in the tidal cycle; gulls, great blue herons, and black turnstones were also visible among them. One harbor seal in the shallows had scored a salmon, and we watched as it tore into the pink meat of its prey. We cruised over to Eagle Bluff next, its towering cliffside shadowed the emerald waters below. Forage fish leapt amongst the bullkelp while pigeon guillemots crash landed nearby. We passed the Cone Islands, Cypress Head and Deepwater Bay before ultimately turning for home. – Sam

3 PM 

Afternoon reports led us north again today, taking us along the eastern coastline of Guemes, past Sinclair, over to Point Lawrence, along the top side of Orcas and over to Skipjack Island. The sculpted sandstone shorelines here glowed in the afternoon light, dozens of harbor seals perfectly camouflaged themselves against the tan, red and gray hues of the island. The only indication that so many pinnipeds were present was the occasional shifting of their body weight on the rocks, and the lifting of their heads as we drifted by.
We turned south toward Minke Lake, admiring the striking layers of Point Disney as we cruised past the western edge of Waldron Island. Thousands of birds were gathered in the glassy waters, gulls, cormorants, murres and other alcids amongst the flocks. As we neared Spring Passage, the water erupted. The T65Bs had crossed paths with a massive Steller bull who quickly sought shelter against the slopes of western Orcas Island. The pod gave up the hunt as quickly as it started, continuing towards Jones State Park. They were so incredibly surface happy as they explored the shorelines of Jones, their blows illuminated against the Pacific Madronas overhanging the bull kelp forests. At times, a tail slap or quick maneuver made us suspect they may have found prey, but we never saw clear evidence of a successful hunt. It was a truly beautiful encounter that highlighted the stunning coastlines for which the San Juan Islands are famous.
We waved goodbye to Chunk and her boys and continued south towards Turn Island. Here we visited with our little sea otter friend. They were all wrapped up in bull kelp and snoozing above the reef. Our sailing home was smooth, and we enjoyed clear visuals of the foothills around Kulshan above which dramatic storm clouds were forming. We passed pelagic cormorants on the Guemes Channel marker, then made our way back to our slip in Cap Sante. – Sam

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September 4, 2026

September 5, 2026 — Leave a comment

 

Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg’s killer whale (T65A3 Amir) 
Steller sea lions 
Harbor seals 
September 4, 2026 – 10 AM and 3 PM Whale Watches
10 AM 
This morning we angled for Thatcher pass before turning down Upright Channel and breaking out into San Juan channel. This route is always a favorite of mine, as you get to take in so many sights, like the Washington state ferries in transit and well known islands like Lopez, Shaw, Orcas, and San Juan. Just north of Cattle Pass, we spotted a tall black fin.

This whale turned out to be recent loner, T65A3 Amira! As a member of the Bigg’s killer whale population, Amira has been participating in his cultural practice of family abandonment quite a lot this summer. All jokes aside, we know Bigg’s killer whale family dynamics are incredibly flexible, and it is not uncommon for individuals to separate from their family temporarily before later reuniting. So, it was no cause for concern that Amira was by himself today. He’s just tapping into his free will and going off on a solo adventure before most likely meeting back up with his mom soon. Although, Amira has been spending more and more time away from home this season. Perhaps he’s taking notes from his younger brother, Indy, who is almost always seen traveling away from the family. Towards the end of our encounter, Amira made a hard turn towards us and we got an absolutely heart stopping close pass as he swam under the boat and even turned on his side to look up at us as he passed!! When he was far enough away, we re-engaged and got our last looks before turning back down towards Cattle Pass. 

Once out, we visited at Whale rocks and checked out a few Steller sea lions. Continuing on, we made one last slow down at Colville island where some smaller pinnipeds– our harbor seals– were resting at the waterline. Turning back up Rosario Strait, we made an almost complete circumnavigation of Lopez Island before turning back into Guemes channel. What a morning! 


3 PM 
This afternoon, we pushed up along the east side of Guemes, then scooted up towards Pt. Lawrence and cruised along the Orcas island shoreline. Approaching the outer islands, captain Carl spotted something strange on the horizon. When we went over to investigate, we found none other than T65A3 Amira, the same Bigg’s killer whale from this morning! He’d made it all the way up from Cattle Pass to Sucia island in just a few hours, pushed by the flood tide and traveling at about 5-6 knots. We hung out with Amira as he made his way along the Sucia shoreline, perhaps looking for some food. During our encounter, we had soft, glassy conditions, which made each surfacing absolutely dreamy. 

After our visit with Amira, we cruised down to Sinclair where we spotted a few Steller sea lions resting on a navigational marker, and also got to watch one jump up from the water and land on the marker (after a few failed attempts)! On our return, we talked more about Amira’s family and how, in their pod, separating from the group is commonplace. Such a lovely afternoon on the water with a very famous whale! 

– Amy 





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September 3, 2026

September 4, 2026 — Leave a comment

 

Anacortes Whale Watch

Highlights

Bigg’s killer whale T-Party
September 3, 2026 – 1 PM Whale Watch
Cups and saucers were passed around this afternoon, because we had ourselves a T party! Before getting down to a group of around 13 Bigg’s killer whales in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, we made a small stop at bird rocks where we spotted harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and loads of gulls and cormorants. Continuing south, we ran down towards the Olympic mountains until we saw black dorsal fins on the horizon.

After getting oriented, we identified three different families and three matriarchs on scene! Leading this massive social party were T100 Hutchins, T123 Sydney, and T46B Raksha. Stand out whales included Sydney’s massive 26 year old adult son, T123A Stanley, as well as Hutchins’ 24 year old boy, T100C Laurel. Honorable mentions included T46B8 Pi, who graced us with several full baby breaches and lots of splashing! Pi’s older sister, T46B2 Akela, also gave us an absolutely stunning spy hop while she swam with her younger sister T46B7 Tala and her own daughter, 3 year old T46B2B Takaya.

We were also witnessing an extended family reunion, as it’s assumed that Sydney and Raksha are sisters! While we learned about the inspiring story of T46 Wake, Sydney and Raksha’s mother, we watched these whales frolic and splash, twirling around below the surface and socializing. It was so sweet to see these whales in such a community-oriented mood!

Below is a recap of the whales present!

T100 Hutchins
T100C Laurel
T100F Estrella

T46B Raksha
T46B2 Akela
T46B2B Takaya
T46B4 Quiver*
T46B6 Sol
T46B7 Tala
T46B8 Pi

T123 Sydney
T123A Stanley
T123C Lucky
T123 Darcy

*I’m sure Quiver was present, though the only photo I have that could be him is at an awkward angle, so I cant say for certainty if he was there. But he’s usually not far from his momma, so I’m sure he was hangin around!

On our way back home, we stopped at south Lopez where we spotted a turkey vulture soaring above us and three more harbor seals hauled out  underneath Castle Island. After our turn into Rosario Strait, we discussed the photo ID process and how we are able to tell all these whales apart as individuals. We were then able to discuss the different personalities, family dynamics, and parenting styles of individual whales based on behavioral observations we’ve gathered over the years. Such a fun day!!

Amy

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