Weekly Whale Report: 6/1/26--6/7/26

Whales in Anacortes WA: Who We Saw

Summer has arrived, and the first week of June did not disappoint! Across fourteen tours in one week, guests saw every species of whale that regularly frequent this area, including a rare T-party of 45 Biggs Transient orcas!

Species Seen This Week

Killer Whale - Total: 123

Humpback Whale - Total: 9

Gray Whale - Total: 6

Minke Whale - Total: 1

Individual Whales Seen This Week

Killer Whale:

We encountered orcas 12 times and identified 72 individuals across 22 matrilines.

These included:

• T19s

• T36As

• T46Bs

• T46Cs

• T49As

• T49Cs

• T64Bs

• T65As

• T68Cs

• T69Ds

• T75

• T75As

•  T99s

• T100s

• T17s

• T123s

• T124As

• T124A1s

• T124A2s

• T124A4s

• T146s

• T146Bs

  
  

Humpback Whale:

We encountered humpback whales 6 times. We identified 4 of these humpbacks:

These included:

• Deca & Calf

• Split Fin

• Strike

Gray Whale:

We encountered gray whales 6 times.

These included:

• Paul (nickname)

Minke Whale:

We encountered minke whales 1 times.

We did not get an identification on this individual.

Highlights from Anacortes Whale Watching Tours

In addition to whales, our guests also enjoyed sightings of several other iconic Pacific Northwest species, including harbor seals and Stellar sea lions.

T123A, Stanley, flirting with T46B2, Akela.

In addition to our larger gathering of 45 Biggs Transient orcas, guests also enjoyed a smaller T-party between the T46Bs, the T123s, and the T99s, where T123A, Stanley, and T46B2, Akela, were seen partaking in some flirty behavior. Perhaps we will will have a new member of the T46B2 family in 17-18 months!

Book your whale watch tour with Outer Island Excursions today!

Below our additional photos from tours this week!

June 1st, 2026--Sea otter: Dexter; Orcas: T117s

Photo Credit: Naturalist Megan MacGregor

AM Tour, June 5th, 2026--Unknown humpback; Orcas: T64Bs & T65As

Photo Credit: Naturalist Megan MacGregor

PM Tour, June 5th, 2026--Unknown humpback; Orcas: T46B1s & T123s

Photo Credit: Naturalist Megan MacGregor

AM tour, June 6th, 2026--Gray whale: Paul; Orcas: T99s

Photo Credit: Naturalist Megan MacGregor

AM Tour June 7th, 2026--Orcas: T124A2s & T124A4s

Photo Credit: Natrualists Becca Humbracht & Megan MacGregor