If you’ve read my Washington section, you know that orcas hold a special place in my heart. I don’t know when I became so fond of them. I never went to SeaWorld (which I don’t recommend. Watch the Blackfish documentary if you won’t take my word for it) and I certainly didn’t live near the ocean, but these apex predators always have filled me with a sense of awe.
They can take a great white shark with ease, but are gentle enough to float right by kayakers without even making a wave. Orcas are highly intelligent, emotional, and social creatures. Orca calves never leave their mother’s side, living in pods of up to fifty members.
The orcas of the Salish Sea are separated into transients and residents. Residents travel in larger pods and stay in the area year round. These are the orcas we saw on our tour in Anacortes, Washington.
The Southern Residents are considered an endangered population of orcas. There are three existing pods in the area, with no more than one-hundred individuals total. Whaling and captivity have reduced the numbers of this population, which has yet to recover. Conservation and appreciation for these animals is one of my greatest passions. Even if you’re not a whale-lover like me, these marine mammals are absolutely breathtaking to witness in the wild.
Our boat tour was small, no more than twenty people aboard. My brother, Dad, and I sat at the front of the boat, overlooking the bow as we went into the sea. It was a beautiful day, especially sunny for Washington. The air was warm and the breeze was cool, misting ocean spray onto our faces as we rode out.
The water was like glass, almost clear and moving slowly, not in individual ripples, but in one homogenous wave. It was here, in this glass-like water, where a sleek-black dorsal fin cut through the water a hundred feet away.
“It’s an orca!” The exclamation was out of my mouth before it had consciously registered. My heart was racing as I pointed toward the black dorsal fin.
For a moment, I was afraid that I’d been wrong and one of the Naturalists on board would tell me that it was something else. But when two popped up again, straight-fins pointing skywards, she confirmed that we’d seen orcas.
These weren’t the only individuals we saw that day. Sailing further into the sea, we saw the larger pod. The two members we saw earlier were probably males who had wandered off briefly in pursuit of a meal or other females. (Male orcas don’t mate with members of the same family).
Six or seven individuals would come to the surface at a time, breathing and swimming before diving back down. Behind them was the rock-capped shoreline, and a black and white lighthouse, watching for whales such as these.
Not only did we see orcas that day, but we saw sea lions basking in the sun. They would bark at each other before pushing their way to the best spot on the rock.
Seals would be next. They’re much smaller than sea lions, and quieter. Their heads would pop out of the water, whiskers pointing outward, as deep brown eyes looked at the boats. The animals were accustomed to the boats, most of them paid us no mind, though I met the eyes of one curious seal.
There are many sea birds to be seen, including bald eagles. Our national bird would perch in the surrounding trees and rocks which bordered the sea.
The tour is relaxing if you want to sit inside the boat and watch the water from within. The Salish Sea is calm, making for a gentle ride. If you want to view the wildlife, there is room on the outer deck of the boat to walk and wait for whales to make their appearances.
Humpback whales are also common to the region in the summer, so your chances of whale sightings increase June-August. Orcas are there throughout the year, so you may see them in any month.
I’d suggest a June boat tour for optimal weather and the greatest chances of whale sightings. We toured with Captain John through Outer Island Excursions and it was a wonderful experience. The boat was clean, spacious, and had a relatively small number of passengers. Keep in mind, the smaller the vessel, the closer you can get to the whales.
The Naturalists on board will help you identify the sealife, even the individual pod members as they keep track of each orca in the area. Based on the pattern of the white around the orca’s eye, and the notches/shape of the dorsal fin, individuals can be identified. Babies are especially easy to spot as the whites on their bodies are closer to brown or yellow. It whitens as they age.
Anacortes was a beautiful place, with pebbled beaches, and glass-like, clear water. It is only about an hour and a half drive from Seattle. If you like the water or you’re interested in wildlife, this tour is well worth it.
Linked below is the website for Outer Island Excursions:
Comments