SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Humpback whale

Thanks to Michael Ostrogorsky for the photos of a humpback whale seen off Alki this afternoon.

Possibly the same one Kersti Muul says is in view off Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook (4500 block Beach Drive SW) right now. Let us know if you see it!

25 Replies to "SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Humpback whale"

  • Kersti Muul June 11, 2022 (6:02 pm)

    Heading south towards buoy off lowman 6pm

  • Kersti Muul June 11, 2022 (6:18 pm)

    You can sign up for my whale and wildlife text alerts here:(I cover central to south sound; golden gardens to Tacoma)Sightings only, no chatting or ‘liking’ comments. It’s used for research also and I don’t want notifications going off constantly. You have a mute option if the sighting isn’t of interest to you, or whale/s have already passed by you. https://chat.whatsapp.com/KSanjuel1nYBLZlrc0azcM

    • Sean June 12, 2022 (7:35 pm)

      This is great! Thank you for sharing. 

  • Dennis Hinton June 11, 2022 (6:23 pm)

    Saw it going north off Lowman Beach at 2:30 pm

  • Caleb June 11, 2022 (6:39 pm)

    We saw the humpback from our patio & rushed down to Lowman, it was spectacular! My wife got a couple good pics, one especially of the paddle boarder as the humpback went right by.If he/she wants the pic, just let us know.

    • Caleb June 11, 2022 (7:41 pm)

  • Kersti Elisabeth Muul June 11, 2022 (6:52 pm)

    Two now. Passing 98th (brace point)

  • Christina L June 11, 2022 (6:56 pm)

    Just saw it!  South of Brace Point! 

  • Rob M June 11, 2022 (7:15 pm)

    • Kersti Muul June 11, 2022 (7:42 pm)

      Dumb behavior on the paddle boarders parts. Anyone know who they are??

      • Caleb June 11, 2022 (9:00 pm)

        They did nothing wrong,  just enjoying the gorgeous sunny afternoon when a humpback approached them.  I’m sure a memory of a lifetime!

        • Kersti Muul June 11, 2022 (9:30 pm)

          Incorrect they made this opportunity happen had been watching them for a while, and this isn’t the first time

          • Gladys Kravitz June 12, 2022 (6:26 am)

            Call the police! Call the coast guard! 

          • Kersti Muul June 12, 2022 (1:41 pm)

            That’s not who you report it to. Thanks got it handled

        • Marty McFly June 12, 2022 (5:31 am)

          It is actually illegal to get that close to a whale in Puget Sound.  Were they hurting it?  Probably not, but just the fact that they intentionally got that close to the whale is indiciative of a disregard for its safety versus their desire for a “thrill-seeking” moment.  The law exisits to prevent boneheads from doing something, even accidentally, to cause harm, stress, or discomfort to the animal.  I’d wager a fair number of people had a “memory of a lifetime” and didn’t end up that close to it.  Would be wonderful to identify them and have them cited.  The well-being of the animal always takes precedence over the excitement of some chuckle-head in a boat.

      • Beach Go-er June 11, 2022 (9:18 pm)

        I was there and saw it happen.The paddlers went out, and there was already some kayakers and a couple small boats out.We all were watching it.It took a deep dive and then popped up closer, right between them. They didn’t chase it.  The be honest, none of us on shore expected it to be so much closer inland…and then it stayed in and went back out by Coleman Pool. They couldn’t have planned that.

  • J. Lardizabal June 11, 2022 (7:58 pm)

    Just saw it off of Arroyo Beach. Lots of fin slaps. 

  • Steve W. June 11, 2022 (8:18 pm)

    Federal law says you must stay 100 yards away from whales, it look’s like the paddle boarders and the little sail boat are very close.

  • Caleb June 11, 2022 (8:54 pm)

    We were right on Lowman beach & the paddle boarders had been there way before the humpback approached them.  The paddle boarders did nothing wrong!  They simply enjoyed the organic moment that it was

  • Lee June 11, 2022 (9:19 pm)

    Ridiculous… they did nothing wrong!as though they can chase a whale on a couple of SUPs ; they couldn’t get out of the way if they wanted too! 

  • YES2WS June 12, 2022 (7:28 am)

    How is a jet skier racing right up the same as what Caleb reports; ” the paddle boarders had been there way before the humpback approached them.” I have a deep love for animals but honestly don’t see how these two incidents are the same. I even wonder if the paddle held overhead was an attempt to not have “some strange object” in the sight line of the whale. 

  • Rasmith71 June 12, 2022 (11:07 am)

    Yeah, let’s keep it reasonable and not discredit good laws. You’re not in violation if you’re just minding your own business and a whale breaches next to you out of nowhere, esp if you’re on a paddle board that doesn’t have to be registered as a vessel.

    • Kersti Muul June 12, 2022 (1:43 pm)

      Paddle boards are not exempt from the mmpa, especially when paddle boarders often paddle out to intercept whales, as one of these people does frequently.It’s not safe.

  • momosmom June 12, 2022 (2:19 pm)

    Just some food for thought… too close you could be lunch!

Sorry, comment time is over.