Humpback season may be winding down, but you wouldn't know it by this past week! The first week of October brought us four humpbacks, including Nike (seen above) and twenty orcas. Fall is flourishing, that's for sure! Species Seen This Week Across 13 tours this week, we encountered: Killer whale - Total: 20 Humpback whale - Total: 4 Individual Whales Seen This Week Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 4 times and identified 20 individuals across 4 matrilines. These included: T

Wondering how early to arrive for a whale watching tour? Getting to the departure location with enough time to park, check in, and board can make your experience much more enjoyable. For visitors departing from Anacortes, Washington, a little preparation helps prevent last-minute confusion. The most important rule is simple: follow the arrival and check-in instructions in your booking confirmation. Different operators and departures may have different requirements. How Early

Do tides affect whale watching? Yes, but they don't determine whether you'll see whales. Tides influence water movement, currents, and sometimes the distribution of prey throughout the Salish Sea. These changes can affect where marine wildlife travels and feeds. However, tides are only one part of whale watching. Current sightings, wildlife movement, weather, and experienced crew decisions also matter. Here's what tides actually change and what visitors should know before boo

It's not every day you see full grown adult male orcas porpoising out of the water! T65B1 Birdsall gave quite the show this week. The first week of October also brought us humpbacks, a minke whale, and even an elusive fur seal! Species Seen This Week Across 10 tours this week, we encountered: Killer whale - Total: 48 Humpback whale - Total: 8 Minke whale - Total: 1 Individual Whales Seen This Week Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 10 times and identified 48 individuals acros

Orca communication is one of the most fascinating parts of killer whale behavior. These highly social marine mammals use calls, whistles, clicks, and body movements to interact with one another and navigate their underwater environment. Sound is especially important because visibility underwater can be limited. For orcas moving through the Salish Sea, hearing and producing sound can help with communication, orientation, and finding prey. Here's what researchers know about the

Eastsound is the main village on Orcas Island and a convenient base for exploring before or after a whale watching tour. Its restaurants, shops, galleries, waterfront scenery, and proximity to outdoor attractions make it easy to turn your whale tour into a fuller Orcas Island experience. If seeing an orca is a priority, a great plan is to explore Eastsound in the morning, have lunch, and then head out for an afternoon whale watching experience. Getting Oriented in Eastsound E

What do you call a singing group of whales? An orchestra! No other way to describe this week. But, wait! You can't forget the three humpbacks who stopped in for a visit on their way back from Alaska. Fall's in full swing, and we can't wait to see what next week brings. Species Seen This Week Across 13 tours this week, we encountered: Killer whale - Total: 40 Humpback whale - Total: 4 Individual Whales Seen This Week Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 10 times and identified 4

Orcas are highly social animals, and family relationships can shape how they travel, hunt, communicate, and care for young. One important term in orca research is matriline: a family group organized around a female and her descendants. However, family structure isn't identical across every killer whale population. For whale watchers in the Salish Sea, understanding these relationships can add valuable context when observing Bigg's killer whales and other orcas. What Is an Orc

What is the Salish Sea? If you're planning a whale watching trip in Washington, you'll probably hear the name frequently. The Salish Sea is a connected inland marine ecosystem shared by Washington State and British Columbia. Its islands, straits, channels, shorelines, and productive waters support orcas, humpback whales, porpoises, seals, sea lions, seabirds, and many other species. Understanding the Salish Sea helps explain why places such as Anacortes and the San Juan Islan

A whale watching naturalist can turn a wildlife sighting into a much richer experience. Instead of simply seeing an orca surface, you may learn how researchers identify individuals, what the animals appear to be doing, and how they fit into the larger Salish Sea ecosystem. Naturalists combine wildlife knowledge with interpretation, helping passengers understand what they're seeing without pretending that every animal behavior has one simple explanation. Here's what a marine n

If you're staying in Bellingham and want to go whale watching, consider making the drive south to Anacortes. Anacortes is a convenient mainland gateway to the San Juan Islands and surrounding Salish Sea waterways. You don't need to take a ferry before boarding a whale watching tour, making it a practical option for travelers staying in Bellingham. Here's what to know when planning a Bellingham to Anacortes whale watching day. Why Choose Anacortes? Anacortes sits on Fidalgo Is

San Juan Islands wildlife extends far beyond orcas and other whales. A boat tour through the Salish Sea can offer opportunities to see seals, sea lions, porpoises, bald eagles, seabirds, and other marine life. Wildlife sightings are never identical from one trip to the next. That's part of the experience: every tour provides a different look at a diverse marine ecosystem. Here's some of the wildlife you may encounter beyond whales. Marine Mammals Beyond Orcas Harbor Seals Har

Understanding orca behavior can make whale watching even more fascinating. A breach, spyhop, tail slap, or synchronized surfacing may provide clues about what an orca is doing, but interpreting behavior isn't always straightforward. Researchers study behaviors over repeated observations and consider the context surrounding them. The same action may have different functions in different situations. Here's a guide to some of the orca behaviors you may encounter in the Salish Se

How are orcas identified as individuals when they can look so similar at first glance? Researchers use distinctive physical features, especially dorsal fins and saddle patches, along with photographs collected over time. These records allow scientists to recognize individual animals and learn about their families, movements, and life histories. The same identification methods can make a whale watching encounter more meaningful by helping naturalists explain more about the ind

Whale watching seasickness can turn an exciting day on the water into an uncomfortable experience. Fortunately, preparing before departure can help reduce the risk. Motion sickness affects everyone differently, so there is no single solution that works for every passenger. If you already know you're susceptible, planning ahead is especially important. Here are practical ways to prepare before your whale watching tour and manage symptoms if they develop. Why Motion Sickness Ha

RIP sea lion! This week the T36 pod, including T36B Tattertip (above), took part in a sea lion hunt with the T65Bs and T49A1. Let the fall fun continue! Species Seen This Week Across 14 tours this week, we encountered: Killer whale - Total: 28 Humpback whale - Total: 12 Individual Whales Seen This Week Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 12 times and identified 28 individuals across 9 matrilines. These included: T19s T36s T49A1 T59A4 T60s T63 & T65 T65Bs T123s T137A Humpback

What a whaley-filled week! Humpbacks, orcas, and even a sneaky minke. Summer may be ending but the whales, like Noir (above), hung around to say hello! Species Seen This Week Across 19 tours this week, we encountered: Killer whale - Total: 37 Humpback whale - Total: 14 Minke whale: 1 Individual Whales Seen This Week Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 15 times and identified 37 individuals across 8 matrilines. These included: T19s T35As T41s T49As T59As T60s T65Bs T109As Humpb

Whale watching etiquette is about more than being polite on a boat. You're entering a wild marine environment where orcas, humpbacks, porpoises, seals, sea lions, seabirds, and other animals are going about their lives. A responsible tour allows guests to experience that wildlife while respecting the animals, following applicable regulations, and sharing the experience with everyone aboard. Fortunately, guests don't need to memorize complicated marine wildlife regulations bef

The first week of September brought us some of the oldest and most famous Biggs' orcas to the area, including T63 Chainsaw (seen above) born in 1968! Species Seen This Week Across 20 tours this week, we encountered: Killer whale - Total: 39 Humpback whale - Total: 1 Minke whale - Total: 2 Individual Whales Seen This Week Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 19 times and identified 39 individuals across 10 matrilines. These included: T19s T36s T46Bs T49As T63 & T65 T65As T65Bs T

Weather can make a noticeable difference to your whale watching experience, but perhaps not in the way many first-time visitors expect. Calm seas can make the ride more comfortable. Cloud cover can reduce glare for photographers. Wind can make temperatures on the water feel cooler than they do on land. But weather does not determine whether wild whales will be present. Orcas, humpbacks, minkes, and other marine wildlife move according to their own needs and behavior. When it