UPDATE: Orcas and gray whale in Elliott Bay (photos added)

1:58 PM: Just in from Kersti Muul, a report that southbound orcas in the Seattle ferry lanes are heading into the bay, so likely most visible from north-facing West Seattle. Let us know if you see them!

3:09 PM: A commenter says the orcas were in view near the downtown waterfront. Meantime, Kersti says a gray whale is now reported in the bay too, off West Seattle’s Anchor/Luna Park.

6:25 PM: No photos of the gray whale so far but thanks to the two photographers who’ve sent photos of the orcas – looks like some boats in the bay got great views! First two below are from Steven Rice:

Steven says the male (big dorsal fin) is T46E “Thor.” … Robin Sinner sent this photo:

pauline March 18, 2026 (2:44 pm)

2:40 – just saw them northbound from Pike place

Alex G March 18, 2026 (6:44 pm)

I’m pretty sure I saw the gray whale about halfway between Luna Park and Alki around 4:45 heading towards Alki. I saw something with a knobby spine rise twice about 60 feet from shore. They were pretty small rises and I didn’t see a blow or a fluke so I might be wrong, but it was very distinctively ridged.

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