What an awesome week for whale watching! Orcas, humpacks, Steller sea lions, and even a minke whale! The first week of August rocked! T77C Neftali--Photo credit: Photographer Holly Cannon Species Seen This Week Across 20 tours this week, we encountered: Killer whale - Total: 33 Humpback whale - Total: 7 Minke whale - Total: 1 Individual Whales Seen This Week Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 17 times and identified 33 individuals across 10 These included: T19s T30s T36s T46

The last week of July brought whale watching to new heights with some very unusal and exciting acivity! Eleven orcas swam under Deception Pass Bridge Tuesday morning. Included among them, were the T135 pod, visiting the Salish Sea for the first time on record, leaving their tropical southern Californian waters for some colder seas. 56-year-old orca (and great granny!) T36, Flapjack, (seen above) took to the sky, showing us age really is nothing but a number. And a gray whale

One of the most common questions visitors ask before their whale watching trip is: "What happens if the weather isn't perfect?" The good news is that whale watching tours operate in a wide variety of weather conditions. Rain, clouds, and cool temperatures are all part of life in the Pacific Northwest—and they rarely prevent an unforgettable day on the water. Understanding how different weather conditions affect your tour can help you pack appropriately and know what to expect

If you're planning a whale watching vacation in Washington, one question comes up more than any other: When is the best time to go? While whale watching is available during much of the year, summer consistently offers the best combination of wildlife activity, pleasant weather, and unforgettable experiences. From June through September, visitors enjoy long daylight hours, calm seas, and excellent opportunities to encounter some of the Pacific Northwest's most iconic marine wi

Choosing a whale watching tour isn't simply about finding the lowest price or the closest departure. The quality of your experience depends on several important factors, including the operator, departure location, crew experience, and the type of tour you choose. If you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime visit to the Pacific Northwest, these ten considerations can help you choose a whale watching excursion you'll remember for years. 1. Choose the Right Departure Location Where

One of the biggest decisions you'll make when booking a whale watching tour is choosing the size of the boat. Some travelers prefer the comfort and amenities of larger vessels, while others enjoy the more intimate atmosphere of smaller groups. Neither option is universally better—the right choice depends on what matters most to you. Whether you're traveling with family, hoping to photograph wildlife, or simply looking for the best opportunity to see orcas, understanding the d

Whale watching may be the highlight of your visit to Anacortes, but it's far from the only reason to spend time here. Nestled on Fidalgo Island, Anacortes offers waterfront parks, scenic viewpoints, local shops, and easy access to the San Juan Islands. Whether you have a few hours before your departure or want to turn your whale watching trip into a full weekend getaway, there are plenty of ways to make the most of your visit. Here are ten great things to do before or after y

Many people wonder whether whale watching helps protect marine wildlife or simply adds more boats to the water. It's an important question—and one responsible whale watching operator takes it seriously. When conducted responsibly, whale watching does far more than create unforgettable experiences. It builds public appreciation for marine wildlife, supports scientific research, encourages responsible tourism, and inspires people to become lifelong advocates for ocean conservat

Species Seen This Week Across 24 tours this week, we encountered: Killer whale - Total: 12 Humpback whale - Total: 10 Minke whale - Total: 2 Individual Whales Seen This Week Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 15 times and identified 12 individuals across 5 matrilines. These included: T30A & T30C T38C & T38E T77C & T77E T100s T100Bs Humpback Whale: We encountered humpback whales 12 times and identified 9 out of 10 humpbacks These included: Hemlock Trident Tsuga Scratchy Stit

Photographing orcas in the wild is one of the most rewarding experiences for wildlife photographers—and one of the most challenging. You're working with moving wildlife, changing weather, a boat in motion, and unpredictable lighting, all while trying to capture a moment that may last only a few seconds. The good news is that you don't need professional equipment to take memorable photos. With a little preparation and the right techniques, photographers of every skill level ca

Few experiences bring people closer together quite like sharing an unforgettable moment in nature. Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, planning a surprise weekend away, or simply looking for something different to enjoy together, Anacortes whale watching tours combine breathtaking scenery, incredible wildlife, and quality time away from everyday distractions. From the moment your boat leaves the marina, you're surrounded by the beauty of the Salish Sea—making it easy t

One of the most common questions people ask before booking a whale watching tour is simple: Should I choose a morning or an afternoon departure? The answer might surprise you. While both morning and afternoon tours can provide incredible wildlife experiences, if your primary goal is seeing orcas, an afternoon departure often offers a significant advantage. The reason has less to do with whale behavior and everything to do with how experienced captains locate them. Why Time of

One of the most common questions guests ask before their trip is simple: What should I wear whale watching? The answer surprises many first-time visitors. Even on a warm summer afternoon, conditions on the Salish Sea are often much cooler than they are on land. Wind, ocean spray, and changing weather can make it feel 10–15°F colder once you're out on the water. Fortunately, staying comfortable is easy if you dress in layers. Here's everything you need to know before your whal

T65A5 Indy with a mouthful of seal Species Seen This Week Across 25 tours this week, we encountered: Killer whale - Total: 30 Humpback whale - Total: 11 Minke whale - Total: 1 Individual Whales Seen This Week Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 17 times and identified X individuals across 9 matrilines. These included: T34s T37s T37As T65As T65Bs T77s T100s T109As T123s Humpback Whale: We encountered humpback whales 9 times and identified nine out of eleven humpbacks. These i

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