March 12, 2026

T420 (only fin tip visible), T419, & T421 make their way south in inland Puget Sound.

photo by Mollie Segall, March 11, 2026

SUMMARY

Sightings through March 12 include:

Southern Residents - No reports.

Bigg's Killer Whales - On March 8, T137s were in Admiralty Inlet. T60s were in the San Juans.

On March 9, T99s made their way south in Puget Sound, heading south in the Tacoma Narrows. Not far behind them, the T36/T36Bs & T137s also made their way south in Puget Sound, but instead went north through Colvos Passage. T100E & T124As were in South Puget Sound. T71B1 & T71B2 were in Admiralty Inlet. T49A2 was in Haro Strait.

On March 10, T36/T36Bs & T137s were in Saratoga Passage. T99s were in South Puget Sound.

On March 11, T419, T420, & T421 made their way south along the shoreline in Puget Sound from Seatte to Tacoma!

In next report: On March 12, T419, T420, & T421 were spotted near Olympia! T36/T36Bs & T137s were in Admiralty Inlet. T99s were in South Puget Sound.

Humpbacks - No reports.

Gray Whales - Grays being seen in Saratoga Passage, Possession Sound, Holmes Harbor, and Port Susan. Two still hanging out off northwest Whidbey. Sounders in inland Puget Sound currently: CRC53 Little Patch, CRC56 Stardust, CRC531 Gretchen, CRC2246 Azulão, CRC2249 Hattie, CRC2362 Thidwick, CRC2426, CRC2440 Tahoma.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Rare trio of orcas visits inland Puget Sound!

T419 & T421 passing West Seattle

photo by Daniel Walsh, March 11, 2026

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T420 after swimming under the Des Moines Pier

photo by Kat Martin, March 11, 2026

On March 11, Orca Network’s first report of the day came from John Patrick Darmody II, reporting that orcas were deep in Elliot Bay, even going into the West Duwamish Waterway. Upon exiting that waterway, they made their way along the shore of Duwamish Head, rounding south around Alki Point. Daniel Walsh captured photos that confirmed these orcas were T419, T420, and T421!

It was a very rainy and windy day in Puget Sound, but that didn’t stop the many people braving the weather conditions hoping to get a glimpse of these rare orca visitors. The trio continued south, hugging the shoreline for much of the way. They swam under the Des Moines Pier. They passed just outside of the Dash Point Pier before cutting over to the shoreline, headed straight for Browns Point. There, they surfaced several times right next to shore past the Browns Point Lighthouse, giving us beautiful looks as they went by. They continued into Commencement Bay, and made their way deep into the Thea Foss Waterway where they spent the last hour of daylight. They were last seen exiting the waterway pointed west right at dark, so we are very eager to see where they may turn up today.

These are the same three mystery whales that had no known ID that spent 4 days in Vancouver Harbour, BC, making their exit from the Vancouver area sometime in the evening of March 8th or moning or March 9th. During that visit, Alex Cole captured excellent photos of these orcas; Emma Luck was able to then match those photos to a sighting in Happywhale with photos taken by Nicole LaRoche in March 2025 near Anchorage, AK. That is the only previous sighting of this trio, so very little is known about them. Bay Cetology assigned these whales the ID designations of T419, T420, and T421, and those are the IDs we will default to using. Per Monika Wieland Shields, Orca Behavior Institute, “Based on their original sighting location and clues from their morphology such as cookie cutter shark marks, it’s likely they are from the Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands, and Bering Sea transient stock. Not much is known about this population of mammal-eating killer whales, especially the ones from the more western reaches of that range. Anchorage is outside the range of the West Coast Transients, which is the population we see here in the Salish Sea and whose typical range is shown in purple on the map. More details on their origins won’t be confirmed until/unless researchers are able to get more information on these whales including acoustic recordings and/or DNA samples.”

We’d like to thank everyone that contributed photos to help identify them, but also for everyone who updated in real time, giving many people the opportunity to see these whales. Every single update shared publicly on our post in Orca Network Community Group came from someone standing on shore. Thanks to all your reports, we are able to create maps of the whales’ movements through Puget Sound using the SalishSea.io website.

We don’t rely only on visual reports, but also audio reports that come from people listening to hydrophones, hoping to hear a call at any moment’s notice. Jourdan Rae was listening in to the hydrophone located at the MaST Center Aquarium in Des Moines and heard these orcas vocalizing! Experts will analyze these recordings to see if they provide any more insight on the origins of these orcas. A big thanks to Orcasound for hosting these hydrophones and for providing us with public access to recordings. You can listen to these orcas in the clip found here: link to audio clip.

These trio of orcas have generated a lot of excitement across the Salish Sea, and what we do know about them and their movements is only possible from a large community effort. We cannot emphasize enough how much we appreciate all those who do share publicly with us and other researchers. As someone who has been observing orcas almost exclusively from shore for 15 years, I and countless others would not have as many encounters with whales as we do without others sharing their real time reports, so thank you! -RH

And if you have any photos to share for the record, we highly encourage you to upload them to https://finwave.io/, an amazing open access resource that tracks and IDs orcas. 

Map created with SalishSea.io thanks to all reports shared with Orca Network!

EVENTS:

Saturday, April 4 at 11:30 AM

Langley Whale Center, 105 Anthes Ave, Langley on Whidbey Island

Have you heard about our special Sounders Gray Whales?!

Come join us at the Langley Whale Center to learn about our annual gray whale neighbors and create a gray whale themed craft. We will cover everything from their migration patterns to their favorite food in the Puget Sound! You might even get to see them from Seawall Park.

Join us on April 12th from 3:00 to 5:00 for a Welcome the Whales boat trip with Puget Sound Express!

We will set out from Langley Marina for a 2-hour cruise in search of some of the Sounders gray whales who are feeding in North Puget Sound. Funds from the trip help support Orca Network's education and advocacy programs. Thank you to Puget Sound Express for their generous support of this event!

More information and registration can be found here.

Webshop item: Whale Sighting Alerts Subscription 

Orca Network's Whale Sighting Network and Education Project is now offering our whale sightings phone/text alerts by annual subscription. 

Cost is $25.00 every 12 months. If finances is a hardship please email serena@orcanetwork.org.  

Real-time, or near real-time, call/text alerts create opportunities for people to connect with and observe the whales in their natural habitat from shorelines and other platforms around the Salish Sea. And for those who wish to contribute to Community Science you can report your sightings to our Whale Sighting Network team who vets, records, and disperses collected data to researchers, scientists, agencies, educators, public, etc. 

Wed, Mar 11 - Puget Sound (T419, T420, T421)

T420

T420, T419, & T421 surfacing

T420

IDs by Rachel Haight, Orca Network

Awesome day getting to see T419 T420 and T421! Chased them from Duwamish through to Lowman Beach. They stayed right along the shore the whole way. Link to more photos.

photos by Daniel Walsh, March 11, 2026 

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T419

T420 & T421

T420

T419, T420, T421 in the rain. Link to more photos. 

photos by Kat Martin, March 11, 2026

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Briefly saw them this afternoon off Des Moines Pier.

photo by Ryan Dicks, March 11, 2026

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The Three Mystery Whales” now known as T419, T420, T421 could have pick the best classics PNW weather to make their surprise appearance in Puget Sound. Link to FB video.

Duangjai Vasantana-Berntsen

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Today at Browns Point! Link to FB video.

Taylor Mirfendereski

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T419, T420, T421 - Link to FB videos.

April Basham

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19:05 - They were in Thea Foss waterway. Exited at 19:05.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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17:40 - Saw one female surface next to theeast end of the ship parked along shore by the Thea Foss. She was very close to shore and did not look like she was going any specific direction. However, I was driving so I only saw one surface. It looked as though she was milling. I arrived at Thea Foss to try to relocate the orcas, but did not see them, nor did I wait long [approx. 47.265627, -122.441512].

Ashley S Whitman

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17:30 - From Theas Park, they surfaced northwest of us and appear to be angling west maybe, so we relocated further west along Ruston Way, haven't seen yet.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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17:03 - (ish) They were milling near the red and black ship off of Tyee marina in Commencement. They’ve since been on a dive.

17:01 - Passed Cliff House southbound towards Tyee marina.

Mollie Segall

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16:42 - close past the Browns Point Lighthouse headed south. Link to FB video.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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16:40 - Close past at Browns Point, then looked like they were starting to veer directly south towards the Tacoma shoreline. They did a long dive and did not pop back up, so cannot confirm which way they decided to take.

Ashley S Whitman

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16:39 - On [Browns Point] camera right now.

Sophia Newton

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16:25 - Hugging shore southbound towards Browns past Dash.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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16:07 - Heading to Dash Point. Mid-channel but closer to mainland.

Michele Jaenke

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15:49 - Passing Dumas Bay overlook, very close to shore. Continuing southbound.

15:19 - Milling off of Redondo.

Mollie Segall

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15:09 - Southbound approaching Redondo east in channel.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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14:59 - Passing Saltwater and resuming travel south towards Redondo. East in channel.

14:33 - Surface active off Saltwater possible hunt?

Hannah Marie Munro

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14:31 - I think they’re making calls on the MaST hydrophone right now.

Jourdan Rae

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14:28 - 14:34 - Bigg's calls on the MaST Center hydrophone. Great listening, Jourdan Rae! Val and I agree you heard killer whale calls. This is a very rare recording of this group in Washington waters! The OrcaHello AI missed these subtle signals, but not you.

Here is the preliminary bout (start & end time) - link to audio recording.

Scott Veirs, Orcasound

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14:05 - They have officially passed Des Moines Pier on the east side. The male is still very close to shore and swam under Des Moines Pier. Regrouped after the pier and is headed for Dash Point.

Candace Gavin

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14:00 - 14:05 - Orcas passed around and under the Des Moines fishing pier. Continuing southbound. East in channel. The male swam directly under me and my dog, Luna. It was incredible

Hannah Marie Munro

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13:59 - Male going under Des Moines Marina. Link to FB video.

Tyler Robinson

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13:15 - Passed Three Tree east side very close to the shore.

Duangjai Vasantana-Berntsen

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12:44 - Past Seahurst heading south quickly.

Madia Bazso

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12:29 - They are getting closer to Seahurst.

Tyler Robinson

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12:26 - The male is a bit behind females he headed straight into Seahurst.

Orca Updates

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12:00 - Past 98th St end. Male is closer to eastern shore.

Steve Rice

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T421

ID by Rachel Haight, Orca Network

11:59 - Just passed my house. Above 98th and headed south quickly. At least two

photo by Kathy Knopoff, March 11, 2026

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11:58 - On [Orca Conservancy] camera now! So close to shore and massive.

Sophia Newton

screen grab by Shari Tarantino, Orca Conservancy, March 11, 2026 

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11:50 - Passed the ferry lanes, approaching Brace Point. Lots of diving, traveling fast, still east of channel southbound.

Pia VanHanen

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11:39 - Super close to shore at the point of Lincoln Park.

Daniel Walsh

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11:35 - Nice pass at Lowman, continuing southbound.

Orca Updates

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T419

ID by Rachel Haight, Orca Network

11:29 - Picture from Lowman.

11:12 - Past the south tip of Blake Island as viewed from Emma Schmitz.

back of camera photo by Steve Rice, March 11, 2026

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11:10 - Viewing from Emma Schmitz orcas traveling south and are east in channel.

Hannah Marie Munro

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11:00 - Beautiful super close pass at Constellation Park. Heading south and out from shore.

Daniel Walsh

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T421 & T420

T420

IDs by Rachel Haight, Orca Network

11:00 - Constellation Park West Seattle.

photos by Robin Sinner, March 11, 2026

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10:52 - Approaching lighthouse.

10:48 - Seen from 63rd Ave, Alki.

photo by Lori Korell, March 11, 2026

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10:40 - Spotted one from Alki Ave roughly 2200 block heading south. Link to FB video.

Alison Evangelista

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09:55 - Orcas down by Harbor Island Elliott Bay. Latest report by WSF they are in the West Duwamish Waterway [at] 10:07.

John Patrick Darmody II

Wed, Mar 11 - Puget Sound 

13:00 - A ways out from Old Town dock in Tacoma. Looked to be heading west but could have turned north because we have not seen them surface again from our vantage point.

Alyson Spaulding

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11:00 - Last I saw them they were heading north.

10:50 - 4-5 orcas in Poverty Bay just north of Redondo. Watching from Woodmont. Seems to be hunting and with directional changes.

Ali Saccone

Wed, Mar 11 - South Puget Sound

13:49 - Just caught a glimpse of them exiting Henderson Bay south before taking a deep dive. Closer to Key Peninsula side. 

12:33 - 3 orcas heading north in Henderson Bay, north of Minter heading towards Purdy Spit. Long down times, spread across channel.

Alexa Mercurio

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13:04 - Orcas headed toward Purdy, keep your eyes out.

Danielle Sayebrooke

Tue, Mar 10 - San Juans 

09:48 - Single male orca passing Mineral Point close to shore heading north.

Dan Shelley [WSSJI]

Tue, Mar 10 - Saratoga Passage/Port Susan (T36/T36Bs & T137s)

17:41 - Slow trend north, possibly hunting. Just north of Kayak Point from my perspective.

17:28 - Northbound midchannel south Camano Country Club, line of sight south of Kayak Point.

16:22 - Northbound on Camano side north of Tillicum Beach, probably up near Pirate's Cove now.

Serena Tierra, Orca Network

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16:11 - Per (PSWW) looks like these guys flipped and went into Port Susan.

15:10 - They passed Sandy Point and continued southbound.

14:29 - Viewing from Sandy Point. Whales are mid channel, still grouped, still moving south.

Cindi Crowder Rausch

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13:58 - T137, T36s at this location [48.068432, -122.431590] grouped up traveling southeast 2 miles from Langley!

Tony Tilt, PSE

Tue, Mar 10 - South Puget Sound

12:03 - 3-4 orca just passed Fox Island pier. Long down times and seem to be heading towards the Narrows. Lost sight of them so can’t confirm which direction they will take. Just beautiful!

Missy Barnett

Tue, Mar 10 - South Puget Sound (T99s)

T99C Barakat

From Harstine Island Bridge this morning. T99s. Link to more photos.

photos by Becky Adams, March 10, 2026

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19:34 - Can confirm they are way over on the Cooper Point side of Budd. I was viewing from North Point with binoculars and could hardly see them.

Andrea Stewart

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19:25 - I saw them [last at this time], though I would expect them to continue south. It’s too dark and I’m on the east side of the inlet so I’ve lost sight of them now. They’re on the west side by the country club.

19:19 - Two way on the west side of Budd Inlet almost to the country club. Diving and disappearing.

19:14 - Two were moving south fast mid-channel, just north of the country club.

19:16 - Near Little Tykle Cove on the west side now. Right about at the two lighted pylons.

18:46 - Definitely more than two. There seem to be maybe a group of two and another of two both kind of messing around in the middle of the inlet. They’re still south of Boston Harbor and north of Gull Harbor.

18:44 - The Boston Harbor orcas I just spotted them kind of in the middle of Budd Inlet, still heading south towards Gull Harbor, but they have a ways to go yet. I only saw two briefly.

Terry Jansen

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18:36 - Milling around in front of Burfoot Park.

Katie Christensen

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18:25 - 4 orcas in Boston Harbor Marina headed west off the point.

Shantelle Silva

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18:30 - In front of the lighthouse heading south into Budd Inlet.

18:25 - And a spy hop in front of the marina while traveling south.

18:15 - All have passed Boston Harbor Marina. Slow surfacing series heading south. Sprinkle in some pretty significant surface activity and it’s a good day for whale watching in south Sound. Losing light fast. But we can see excited people on a blustery early evening getting to experience them. Looks like they will continue south into Budd Inlet proper.

Kim Merriman

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18:08 - 3 orcas between Boston Harbor marina and Cooper Point area.

Jeana Wright Callicoat

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15:40 - They just headed across (west) in front of Dana Passage, Harstine Island (southern shore) and have now entered Peale Passage which is the shallow pass between Harstine and Squaxin. Visibility is poor. Wind. White caps. Rain.

Kim Merriman

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17:00 - A friend spotted them heading south in Peale Passage. Link to FB video.

Pete Chramiec

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13:20 - Spotted orcas at Dana Passage between Johnson Point and Harstine Island.

Linda Sewell

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13:20 - Neighbors on west side of Johnson Point are seeing them between Johnson Point and Harstine Island. 

Joan Ahre

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12:40 - The T99s have officially passed Joemma still southbound Case Inlet. 

April Basham

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11:37 - We were at the North Beach picnic area of Hartstene Pointe. Link to FB video.

11:27 - Passed the north end of Harstine Island and headed south down Case Inlet. Close to shore. Beautiful.

photo by Donna DeCew, March 10, 2026

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09:40 - [map shows them heading northeast in Pickering Passage approx. 47.280633, -122.916797] 

Cheryl Anderson Lipphardt

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09:25 - From a friend. Whales flipped northbound south of the bridge and are now headed back towards Jerrell's Cove.

Candace Gavin

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09:00 - Still visible from Harstine Bridge. Just south of bridge at 0900 and paused for hunting.

Chris Lipphardt

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09:00 - Got eyes on them, they're south of Harstine Bridge. Now moving south. About mid channel

David Bennett

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08:48 - Just saw an orca pod in Pickering passage by the Harstine Island bridge.

Lori Pope

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08:41 - Seeing them from Haristine Bridge headed south.

Cheryl Anderson Lipphardt

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07:25 - 4 orcas, one is very small… southbound in Pickering Passage, just south of north end of Hartstine Island.

Cammy Malm LaRiviere

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T99C Barakat

06:10 - Orca, Case Inlet, Grapeview-Stretch Island.

photos by Brad, March 10, 2026

Mon, Mar 9 - Haro Strait (T49A2) 

Slow and solo, T049A2 "Jude" made his way up Haro Strait. Link to more photos.

photos by Jenna Darcie, March 9, 2026

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T049A2 filmed from land on the west side of Haro Strait. Link to Youtube video. T49A2 logging - link to Youtube video. 

Gerald Graham

Mon, Mar 9 - Admiralty Inlet (T71B1 & T71B2)

13:00 - Just watched T71B1 & 71B2 kill a harbor seal north of Marrowstone Point and are currently doing 6 to 7 knots towards Ebeys Landing.

Christopher Lewman, PSE

Mon, Mar 9 - Puget Sound 

18:05 - I moved the webcam to the north end of Blake and I caught this… [video of solo whale southbound] It’s still on our live steam/YouTube channel. Anyway, we had a good chuckle and thought we’d share.

Shari Tarantino, Orca Conservancy

Mon, Mar 9 - Puget Sound (T36/T36Bs & T137s)

18:50 - From Harper Pier. The light was absolutely stunning this evening. I only picked them up here briefly, just missed the beautiful pass & rainbow at Southworth. I think they may have hunted here, & then I didn't catch them again, despite going to Manchester to try to get ahead of them. Link to FB video.

Melissa Bird

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18:51 - T36Bs directly out from Harper fishing pier with long down times. The rest of the group is almost to Manchester.

Mollie Segall

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18:45 - Northbound, we have blows on the webcam!

Shari Tarantino, Orca Conservancy

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18:35 - Gorgeous pass at Southworth ferry. Continuing north along the Kitsap side of Blake Island. Loosely grouped

Mollie Segall

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18:29 - We were able to show the 137s and 36Bs heading north out of Colvos on the webcam until they went behind Blake Island. 

Shari Tarantino, Orca Conservancy

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18:10 - Passing Driftwood Cove in Colvos Pass. Northbound, mid channel.

Kristi King

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17:21 - Unsure if this is same group but just saw some headed north bound up Colvos Passage. Mid passage closer to Vashon side. Just north of Sunrise Beach Park/point Richmond Beach and headed north at a good speed.

Katrina Flowers-Piercy

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16:29 - Very close to vashon shore about here [approx. 47.331321, -122.525349].

Ashley Fry

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16:31 - At least two whales still drifting north off of the point, second group is approaching the southwest tip of Vashon.

16:22 - 137A is still milling off of the tip of Point Defiance with at least one other.

Mollie Segall

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T137A Jack

I was watching the 99s at Point Defiance when Jack showed up!

photo by Ryan Dicks, March 9, 2026

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16:09 - In front of the Tahlequah ferry terminal.

15:55 - Entering Dalco Passage Vashon side.

Hannah Marie Munro

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15:35 - Orcas have passed Quartermaster Harbor, still southbound.

Oscar Brown

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15:15 - Saw distant blows to the north from Tahlequah ferry between Browns and Quartermaster in East Passage. Travel southbound. West of mid.

Hannah Marie Munro

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T137A Jack & T137B Tempest

T36B1A Maple

T36B1 Bhotia

14:10 - Beautiful close pass to Point Robinson, T137s along with the T36Bs in here too. Littles rising their rostrums to meet the big waves, super cute, all southbound loosely grouped, very much on the island side of the channel.

13:48 - Definitely more than the T137s in here, rain coming making visibility harder, but at least 7-8 in this group, almost at Point Robinson, southbound.

13:44 - Finally!! Second group approaching Point Robinson.

photos & IDs by Marla Smith, Orca Network, March 9, 2026

Mon, Mar 9 - Puget Sound (T99s) 

T99B Holly & T99C Barakat

T99s pass Dune Peninsula. Link to more photos.

photos by April Basham, March 9, 2026

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T99C Barakat

T99C Barakat & T99B Holly

Only in Tacoma. Link to more photos.

photos by Amber Stanfill, March 9, 2026

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So cool seeing them so close at Dune this afternoon!

photo by Dakota Ernst, March 9, 2026

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T99E Qwiin qwiin oo qwii la & T99B Holly

T99C Barakat

I have never seen them so close to shore at the Dunes. Pretty cool! We all got wet, but worth it.

photos by Mervin Claxton, March 9, 2026

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T99s pass close to Dune Peninsula in the pouring rain. Link to FB videos.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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Passing Owen Beach. Link to FB video.

Amber Stanfill

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18:42 - One fin heading north almost to Kopachuck State Park.

Duffy Lord

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18:21 - Blows, look like they're moving north now towards the other side of Horsehead. Can confirm they are moving north. 

18:13 - They're past Bella Bella, trending, southwest.

David Bennett

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17:55 - Deep dove then surfaced north of bridge still northbound.

17:50 - 99s nearly to Fox Island bridge northbound in Hale Passage.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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17:46 - Group coming up Hale Passage towards Fox Island Bridge.

Steve Czerniak

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17:15 - Last group southbound toward Fox Island. Island side.

Jasmin Holm

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17:04 - Just swam by Narrows Park still heading south. Closer to Gig side.

Steve Czerniak

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16:58 - South of bridge on Gig Harbor side possibly hunting. Link to FB video.

Karen Caldwell

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16:46 - [video in FB comments - Link to FB video].

Rob Preston

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16:41 - Spotted at least three heading south towards Narrows. Hugging Gig Harbor side. Further south than Salmon Beach. Moving quick and close to the surface before leaving my view!

PassionatePapaya7608

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16:34 - I think they all cleared Dalco southbound [into the Narrows], not often I get close enough on land to need to zoom my lens all the way out.

Orca Updates

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16:22 - At least 3 still slowly southbound, now north end of Salmon Beach, Tacoma side.

Sandy Karwhite

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~16:13 - After some surface activity they were swarmed by birds off of Owen. They’ve since been on a dive.

Mollie Segall

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16:11 - 2 sighted heading towards Salmon Beach.

Sandy Karwhite

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16:06 - Milling near the point. Further off shore than previously. Second group [T36/T36Bs & T137s] is also approaching the ferry.

Mollie Segall

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15:59 - Off Owens Beach near vessel.

Hannah Marie Munro

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15:59 - So close to Owen’s! About to the point and angling southwest towards Narrows.

Ashley Fry

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15:50 - Heading towards Owen Beach.

Mark Causby

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15:49 - They have passed the Anthony’s, continuing toward Owen close to shore.

Mollie Segall

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15:49 - Seen in front of Anthony's at Point Defiance heading west.

Pavani Gingrich

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15:45 - Just passed Dune Park.

Mark Causby

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15:45 - Amazing pass by Dune; heading west toward Owen’s, right on shore. Link to FB video.

Michalyn Marzocco

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15:45 - Westbound past Dune Peninsula. Link to FB video.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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15:44 - Just about as close to shore as they can get as they continue along Ruston.

15:36 - Moving closer to Tacoma shorelines, just past the Ruston boat by the condos.

15:20 - Passing the ram tightly grouped and continuing towards Dune. Link to FB video. 

Mollie Segall

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T99 Bella & T99E Qwiin qwiin oo qwii la

T99B Holly & T99 Bella

T99B Holly & T99 Bella

15:29 - Two off of Ruston.

photos by Emily Thompson, March 9, 2026

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15:28 - Heading west out Commencement Bay, in front of Lobster Shop right now, 3-4.

Pavani Gingrich

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15:27 - Just spotted in Tacoma near Old Town heading towards Dune Peninsula.

Sarah Staub

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15:26 - Still westbound out by Lobster Shop.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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15:17 - Edit: heading west out the bay, along Ruston.

15:13 - In Commencement Bay, right in front of Northern Fish, 4 milling about.

Pavani Gingrich

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15:06 - Moderate westbound, very close to shore approaching Reconciliation Park.

Dave Porter

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15:05 - T99s near shore westbound along Ruston Way, approaching the Old Town dock.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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14:59 - Steady westbound very close to grain ship. White boat shadowing. 

14:57 - Two spouts very near shore of Thea Waterway Park. Small white boat going slow in area where last seen. Possibly observing.

Dave Porter

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14:47 - Seeing several spouts at the mouth of the Puyallup River, non-directional.

Blake Kremer

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14:45 - Two spouts just off mouth on river, vaguely westbound, or milling around.

14:36 - One fin surfaced 200 yds. offshore grain elevator. Long down times.

Dave Porter

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14:30 - At Chinese Reconciliation Park!! Towards Commencement Bay!

Dakota Ernst

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14:26 - Off Jack Hyde Park, still southeast direction

14:25 - Seeing 3 in mid Commencement Bay, headed southeast.

14:24 - 3 orcas headed southeast around the center of Commencement. Long soundings, I only saw them twice.

Dave Porter

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14:16 - Orcas right off Browns Point, should be visible from Cliff House shortly, heading east into Commencement Bay.

Michalyn Marzocco

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14:13 - Four entering Commencement Bay.

Oscar Brown

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14:10 - Entering Commencement Bay. Link to FB video.

Mother Goose

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13:50 - Viewing from Dash Point State Park and approaching the tanker. Southbound.

Tiffany Russell

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13:35 - At least one male, mid channel off Dash Point

Oscar Brown

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12:57 - T99s are now south of the cottages at Point Robinson, southbound. Waiting to find the others.

Marla Smith, Orca Network

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12:50 - If there's 2 groups, one that I tracked [T99s] went from east in shipping lanes to west closer to Point Robinson, but, I haven't located a second group. The first went down and I lost them around 12:50.

Orca Updates

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12:49 - Passing point Robinson right now, close in to island, southbound long downtimes.

Marla Smith, Orca Network

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12:43 - They are off Portage at the moment. Headed south toward Point Robinson.

12.25 - Slowly southbound… coming up on KVI… still island side. Viewing from Maury Park Road.

Mark McGough

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12:19 - Seen, will pass Des Moines in a bit, half to 1 mile off.

12:16 - They were hunting off Normandy Park, seen from that area, but a boat passed close and gone.

11:55 - A pod [T99s] passed much closer to mainland and is now .5ish miles to 1 mile off Normandy Park, they were within about .5 of that area rounding Three Tree. 

Orca Updates

Mon, Mar 9 - Puget Sound (T99s with T36/T36Bs & T137s before the two groups spread more out and went separate ways)

11:31 - Spread out in at least 3 small groups now all south of Dilworth, very Vashon side of channel. T137s are here too, got a nice look at Jack and Wright.

Marla Smith, Orca Network

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11:29 - On [Orca Conservancy] camera now.

Sophia Newton

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11:27 - Appear spread in two groups, about midchannel or just west of, lead past Dilworth from my line of sight from Three Tree Point.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

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11:27 - On the [Orca Conservancy] webcam! Just spotted a male.

T.L. Stokes

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11:08 - Southbound at least 2 approaching Dilworth closer to Vashon from mid channel. Spotted from 150th Street Seahurst.

Cindy Eckes Waddington

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10:48 - Southbound off Vashon 2/3 of the way across from West Seattle.

Orca Updates

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09:57 - Staying southbound, mid-channel, east of Vashon!

09:45 - Heading southbound east of mid. As seen from Constellation! [shared back of camera photo by Steve Rice that show T99C & T99B].

09:39 - One group passing Alki lighthouse.

09:32 - Appear to split into two groups. One near Magnolia. Other group midway between Alki and Magnolia as viewed from Alki and 62nd.

Jill-ann Painter

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09:32 - In line with Magnolia as viewed from 64th Alki. Southbound fast.

Steve Rice

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09:30 - This was from Alki Beach this morning. We are visiting from Kentucky. Such an amazing sight. Link to FB video.

Crissy Gerrein Bentley

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Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Pam King

Date of Sighting: March 09, 2026

Time: 9:25 AM

Species seen: Orca

Number of animals seen: 3

Where seen: Heading south from Duwamish Head to Alki

Direction of travel : South

Behaviors observed: Traveling

If orcas, any males?: 0ne male

Any unusual markings?:

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Came out of Elliott Bay

Photos available?: No

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09:22 - Rounding Duwamish Head southbound Seattle side towards Alki, view from Anchor Park.

09:20 - Off Duwamish Head.

photo by Mary Hartmann, March 9, 2026

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T99C Barakat

09:20 - T99s off Duwamish Head. Also got a Common Goldeneye.

photos by Robin Sinner, March 9, 2026

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09:12 - They are definitely exiting the bay. Heading north west very tight together.

Summer Staley

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09:11 - Just saw them form Bell Harbor Conference Center. Seems like there are at least four. The fast ferry just passed them about five minutes ago mid-channel.

Jessica Ramirez

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09:08 - The whole pod, took a dive when the fast ferry started to approach, they have not surfaced since.

09:04 - Heading west, in the middle of the bay, but starting to exit now. One, maybe two young orcas. One, maybe two large males.

Summer Staley

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~09:04 - From Magnolia, when they were smack-dab in the middle of Elliot Bay. Link to FB video.

Jamin King

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09:14 - 3 orcas are heading south towards Alki Point

Pamela King

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09:04 - 1/4 mile from Duwamish Head northbound.

Ryan Bauer

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08:40 - At least 5 or 6 crossed in front of Vashon Water Taxi. Close to shore, southbound in Elliott Bay with long downtimes. 

Chelsey Calhoun

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08:25 - Maija Holston, WSF Marine Ops, emailed to report: PUYALLUP reports 3 orca just South of the grain terminal – no direction reported.

Mon, Mar 9 - South Puget Sound (T100E & T124As) 

18:00 - Past Anderson Island heading south now towards Nisqually Reach [approx. 47.145713, -122.671036].

Lane Sample

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T100E Tharaya & T124As

17:44 - Almost to the south end of Ketron now - they blew through fast. I think I had 6, no males. 

photos by Belen Bilgic Schneider, March 9, 2026

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17:39 - Off of the Anderson island ferry. They were headed south in between Ketron and Anderson Islands. Link to FB video.  

Kyle Hoffert

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17:23 - We’ve got blows visible from the Anderson Island ferry dock. Mid channel headed southbound probably passing McNeil but hard to tell right now.

Belen Bilgic Schneider

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16:52 - Spotted about four blow spouts (sorry not technical term) just off the Chambers golf course.

Kristin Marichalar Gillespie

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15:50 - Just saw 2 maybe 3 orcas swimming south bound mid channel in front of Fox Island fishing pier. Sorry, I don't know how to tell if they are males or not. One of them looked smaller than the others but that's about all I could tell you.

Pattie LaRue Warr

Sun, Mar 8 - San Juans (T60s) 

13:54 - Well, as soon as I posted, they stalled just before Shipyard!

13:44 - Passing Shipyard cove. Should be visible at Friday Harbor soon. Moving west.

Fred Horn [WSSJI]

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13:20 - T60s northbound off Turn Island towards Friday Harbor. Split in two pairs, long dives.

12:05 - Orcas in Cattle Pass, hunting or potentially northbound.

Orca Behavior Institute [WSSJI]

Sun, Mar 8 - Admiralty Inlet (T137s)

17:45 - 137’s southbound at Nodule Point [Marrowstone Island]. West of the traffic lanes. Found on our return trip from Penn Cove. They were all four grouped up and moving very slow in the flood. Almost in a resting mode.

Christopher Lewman, PSE

Sat, Mar 7 - Discovery Bay

16:43 - 4 orcas leaving Discovery Bay. Lots of surface activity. Link to FB video.

Austin Noble

Sat, Mar 7 - South Puget Sound 

18:15 - Exiting Hales I believe trending northbound toward Narrows but I’m not sure if they have committed. Out of my view now.

Lainey B Seims

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17:44 - Orcas now going south mid channel down Hales Passage toward Narrows.

Don Lillegard

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16:15 - 5 or 6 orcas heading towards Fox Island Bridge hugging Fox Island side. Watching them now.

16:12 - 5 or 6 orcas heading towards Fox Island Bridge towards Bella Beach.

Michele Beal-Erwin

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Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Peter Bergeson

Date of Sighting: March 07, 2026

Time: 10:30 AM

Species seen: Orca

Number of animals seen: 3

Where seen: From Anderson Island ferry terminal

Direction of travel : North toward McNeil

Behaviors observed: Traveling

If orcas, any males?: No males

Any unusual markings?: Na

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:

Photos available?: No

Fri, Mar 6 - Puget Sound (T100E & T124As)

T124A7 Kite

Some stealthy Bigg’s/transients visiting a cold, rainy Tacoma Friday night. Viewed from the Old Town Dock. Link to more photos.

photos by Jason Cook, March 6, 2026

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Very rainy day with T124As. Link to FB video.

Duangjai Vasantana-Berntsen

Wed, Mar 11 - Rosario Strait

Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Glenn Cunningham

Date of Sighting: March 11, 2026

Time: 10:23 AM

Species seen: Gray

Number of animals seen: 1

Where seen: Rosario Beach

Direction of travel : SB [Southbound]

Behaviors observed: traveling

If orcas, any males?:

Any unusual markings?:

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?:

Photos available?: No

Tue, Mar 10 - Saratoga Passage

14:50 - Gray whale heading south right off Whidbey 1.5 miles north of Hidden Beach.

Aaron Gill

Tue, Mar 10 - Saratoga Passage

09:49 - It has pushed further towards Camano. Barely seeing the blows now.

09:16 - I have a gray whale mid channel between Hidden beach and Camano Island State Park. Possibly northbound. Actually it’s closer to Camano, I think

Sarah Geist 

Tue, Mar 10 - Holmes Harbor (CRC53 Little Patch)

12:51 - 53 LP heading north [approx. 48.060038, -122.526372].

Tony Tilt, PSE

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10:27 - Found another gray in Holmes Harbor. About here ish [48.041173, -122.517530]. Looks like it’s feeding in that area. 

Sarah Geist

Mon, Mar 9 - Birch Bay

18:00 - Fairly certain we are seeing gray whale blows in Birch Bay. North side of bay. 

Shelia Swanberg Sullivan

Mon, Mar 9 - Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca

15:08 - Two grays straight out from Hastie Lake County Park. A 3rd gray to the south a couple miles.

Sarah Geist

Mon, Mar 9 - Saratoga Passage

18:22 - Just saw 2 blows north of the red ball off Utsalady, closer to Camano side.

Sue Walker [CWW]

Mon, Mar 9 - Saratoga Passage

18:45 - Seen a gray whale two evenings in a row in Saratoga Passage [viewing from Camano Island State Park].

August Noonday

Mon, Mar 9 - Saratoga Passage

13:02 - Seeing gray whales blows from a bit south of Baby Island, mid-channel Holmes Harbor.

Fell Cheston

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12:18 - Gray is closer to Baby Island now. Thinking it is only one.

Sarah Geist

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12:08 - It’s 2 grey whales! On their way into Holmes Harbor. Currently getting near to Baby Island.

Ann Bhat

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11:52 - I am seeing at least one gray whale blow between Hidden Beach and Fox Spit. Looks west bound. Thought I saw two. But cannot confirm yet.

Sarah Geist

Mon, Mar 9 - Port Susan (CRC2440 Tahoma)

13:12 - CRC-2440 is northbound at my map spot [approx. 48.061775, -122.336696].

Bart Rulon Wildlife

Mon, Mar 9 - Possession Sound (CRC2246 Azulão, CRC2362 Thidwick, CRC2426)

12:14 - 3 gray whales at my map spot. CRC2246, 2362, and 2426. Milling [approx. 48.002715, -122.306484].

Bart Rulon Wildlife

Mon, Mar 9 - Possession Sound

12:51 - Grey whales south side of Gedney [Hat] Island.

photos by Zarla Cee, March 9, 2026

Mon, Mar 9 - Possession Sound

18:33 - Two or three blows within moments of each other near Mukilteo ferry lane/Hat Island. Do grays move that close together?

Lisa Oakes-Dearborn

Sun, Mar 8 - Saratoga Passage (CRC2249 Hattie)

13:45 - CRC-2249 is northbound off Pebble Beach Camano Island

Bart Rulon Wildlife

Sun, Mar 8 - Possession Sound/Saratoga Passage (CRC2440 Tahoma)

13:30 - CRC-2440 is mid channel between Langley and Camano Head northbound.

Bart Rulon Wildlife

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CRC2440 Tahoma

10:30 - Moved middle channel. Just north of Mission Beach. Link to more photos.

photos by Jaime Shields, March 8, 2026

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Sent via form submission from Orca Network

Name: Jaime Shields

Date of Sighting: March 08, 2026

Time: 9:45 AM

Species seen: Gray

Number of animals seen: 1

Where seen: Close to shore off Mission Beach

Direction of travel : N

Behaviors observed: Doing feeding loops, treading north

If orcas, any males?:

Any unusual markings?:

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your encounter?: Watching him until about 10:10 then moved out of view.

Photos available?:

Sat, Mar 7 - Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca

14:52 - Gray whales close to shore, just north of Hastie Lake County Park.

Sarah Geist

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14:35 - 2 grays . One closer to shore, one further off shore. West Whidbey Island. With Island Adventures [approx. 48.276860, -122.746388].

photos by Jaime Shields, March 7, 2026

Sat, Mar 7 - Saratoga Passage

14:30 - Relaying report from friend blow of a gray seen near Snakelum Point (private neighborhood just southeast of Long Point). Direction of travel unknown.

Rachel Haight, Orca Network

Sat, Mar 7 - Saratoga Passage

12:55 - It was at Saratoga Passage North of Langley traveling east to west. Link to FB videos.

Fiona Fung

Sat, Mar 7 - Possession Sound (CRC531 Gretchen, CRC2362 Thidwick, CRC2440 Tahoma)

15:09 - Gray whales here, 2 or 3 [approx. 48.013887, -122.261931].

Frankie Roeder

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13:14 - 3 grays near my map spot [48.011703, -122.269980]. CRC 531, 2362, and 2440. Mingling 

Bart Rulon, PSE