Summer is in full swing, and the orcas are out of school and ready to play. This week saw a family reunion with the T100s and T101s, some unique play behavior with the T46B1 family, and the discovery that four-month-old T49A7 Pi is a girl! Pi is a girl! Photo credit: Naturalist Sam Wallace Fun fact: Female orcas have two black spots on their belly. Credit to naturalist Sam Wallace for capturing footage of little Pi rolling on her back and showing off her spots! If you want t

Orcas Island is famous for its forested landscapes, peaceful waterfronts, and spectacular views from Mount Constitution. Many visitors come for hiking, relaxing, or simply escaping the pace of everyday life. But while the island itself is unforgettable, one experience consistently becomes the highlight of many vacations: Orcas Island whale watching. Spending a few hours on the water offers a completely different perspective of the San Juan Islands. Instead of admiring the sce

Tucked in the kelp forests of the cold waters of the Salish Sea, one of the Pacific Northwest’s smallest marine mammal, the sea otter, once helped shape the entire region.

When people think about whale watching in the San Juan Islands, they usually picture Friday Harbor or Anacortes. Lopez Island rarely gets the same attention—and that's exactly what many visitors love about it. Known for its peaceful roads, welcoming community, and laid-back atmosphere, Lopez Island offers a quieter way to experience one of the Pacific Northwest's greatest wildlife destinations. Instead of busy docks and crowded viewing areas, visitors often find a more relaxe

Whales in Anacortes WA: Who We Saw T123A Stanley Species Seen This Week Killer Whale - Total: 41 Humpback Whale - Total: 1 Gray Whale - Total: 1 Individual Whales Seen This Week Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 21 times and identified 41 individuals across 11 matrilines. These included: T46Bs T46B1s T46Cs T49As T49C T65Bs T75Bs T77s T100s T23s T125A & T128 Humpback Whale: We encountered Gretzky the humpback 8 times. Gray Whale: We encountered Paul the gray whale 11 times.

Booking an orca watching trip is exciting, but many first-time visitors have one understandable concern: What happens if we don't see any orcas? Unlike theme parks or zoos, whale watching takes place in the wild. Orcas can travel more than 100 miles in a single day, following food and changing conditions. Even the most experienced captains cannot predict exactly where they will be first thing in the morning. That's why guarantee policies exist. A whale watching guarantee give

If seeing orcas in the wild is at the top of your Pacific Northwest bucket list, one question comes up almost immediately: Should you watch from shore or book a boat tour? Both experiences can be memorable, but they offer very different opportunities. Shore watching provides beautiful scenery and the chance of an unexpected sighting, while a dedicated boat tour is designed specifically to locate whales and spend meaningful time observing them. Here's how the two compare so yo

Choosing between a half-day and full-day whale watching tour isn't simply about spending more hours on the water. The best option depends on your schedule, travel style, and what kind of experience you're hoping to have. For most visitors to the San Juan Islands, a professionally guided half-day tour offers an excellent balance of wildlife viewing, comfort, and convenience. What Is a Half-Day Whale Watching Tour? Half-day tours generally last around 3–4 hours from departure t

Fin whales may be the second-largest animal on earth, but when these sleek, fast swimmers break the surface, believe it or not, their fin is not the first thing you’ll notice.

Whales in Anacortes WA: Who We Saw Species Seen This Week Killer Whale - Total: 50 Humpback Whale - Total: 1 Gray Whale - Total: 1 Individual Whales Seen This Week Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 24 times and identified 50 individuals across 15 matrilines. These included: T2Cs T34s T37s T46C2 T49As T49Bs T50D T65As T65Bs T75Bs T77s T100s T123s T124A2s 125A + 128 Humpback Whale: We encountered humpback whales twice this week. Both time the humpback was identified as Gretzk

The return of humpback whales in Anacortes and the Salish Sea is one of the most incredible wildlife recovery stories in the Pacific Northwest.

One of the most common questions visitors ask is: When is the best time for whale watching in Washington? The answer depends on what you're looking for. While summer receives most of the attention, whale watching opportunities exist throughout much of the year. Different months bring different wildlife, weather conditions, crowd levels, and travel experiences. This month-by-month guide will help you choose the best time to visit based on your goals. The Short Answer For most

Planning your first whale watching trip to Anacortes? The good news is that Anacortes is one of the easiest whale watching destinations to visit in Washington. Located about 80 miles north of Seattle, it offers direct access to the Salish Sea without requiring a ferry crossing. This itinerary is designed around a full day in Anacortes and is especially useful for visitors planning to join Outer Island Excursions' Orca-Only Tour. Morning: Drive to Anacortes Most visitors begin

Whales in Anacortes WA: Who We Saw Species Seen This Week Killer Whale - Total: 42 Humpback Whale - Total: 37 Gray Whale - Total: 1 Individual Whales Seen This Week Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 18 times and identified 42 individuals across 11 matrilines. These included: T46Bs T49C T64Bs T65As T86As T99s T100s T123s T124A2s T124A4s T125As Humpback Whale: We encountered humpback whales 7 times and saw 37 individuals. Of those identified, these included: Gretzky Kiara Kel

One of the most common questions visitors ask when planning a whale watching trip is simple: What time of year offers the most sightings? The short answer is that whale watching in Anacortes is productive from spring through fall, with June through September generally offering the strongest opportunities for encountering whales and other marine wildlife. However, the best time to visit depends on what you're hoping to see and the type of experience you're looking for. The Sho

Whale watching with kids can be one of the most memorable family experiences in the Pacific Northwest. For many children, it's the first time seeing truly wild animals in their natural environment. Seeing an orca surface nearby, watching a humpback whale exhale through its blowhole, or spotting a bald eagle soaring overhead can become the highlight of an entire vacation. The key is choosing the right tour, preparing properly, and knowing what to expect before you leave the do

T123A Stanley; Photo Credit: Naturalist Becca Humbracht Species Seen This Week Killer Whale - Total: 20 Humpback Whale - Total: 5 Gray Whale - Total: 2 Individual Whales Seen This Week Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 14 times and identified 20 individuals across 8 matrilines. These included: T46Bs T68s T68C3s T69As T100s T123s T124A2s T124A4s Humpback Whale: We encountered humpback whales 3 times. Of the 5 individuals seen, we identified 4. These included: Anvil Gretzky St

Horned Puffin. Photo Credit: Naturalist Sam Wallace Calling all birdwatchers! Did you know the Salish Sea is home to some of the best seabird and shore bird habitat on the West Coast? If you’re a self-proclaimed birder, then get ready to embark on the tour of a lifetime. Our three to four hour birding tours leave from Anacortes, Washington and venture out into prime bird habitat in search of unique and rare species. Get ready to cross those birds off your list. Birdwatchers,

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 indi

Washington State offers some of the best whale watching opportunities in North America. From the rich waters of the Salish Sea to the scenic San Juan Islands region, visitors have the chance to encounter orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, porpoises, seals, sea lions, and a wide variety of marine wildlife. If you're planning a whale watching trip in 2026, choosing the right departure location and tour type can make a significant difference in your experience. This guide cov