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

Outer Island Excursions
14 hours ago
2 min read

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. Of the 4 humpbacks seen, we identified 3.

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