Mason Blake
There are indeed whales in Puget Sound, and they can be observed by boat or from the shore. The types of whales that pass through Puget Sound include orcas, humpbacks, minkes, and gray whales. The Orca Network Community Group shares sightings of whales in the area, including their species, location, and heading. Whale watchers should be aware of guidelines to avoid disrupting the whales, such as maintaining a distance of at least 100 yards from any whale and greater distances from orcas and southern residents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of whale species in Puget Sound | 5 |
| Species of whales | Orcas, humpbacks, minke, gray whales, and Bigg's killer whales |
| Orca pods | J, K, and L |
| Southern resident orca population | 72-73 |
| Orca length | N/A |
| Orca weight | N/A |
| Minke whale length | 23-33 feet |
| Minke whale weight | Up to 10 tons |
| Gray whale length | 43-49 feet or just under 50 feet |
| Gray whale weight | 40 tons or 90,000 pounds |
| Humpback whale length | As long as a school bus |
| Humpback whale weight | N/A |
| Bigg's killer whale population | 380 |
| Bigg's killer whale length | N/A |
| Bigg's killer whale weight | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
Orca whales in Puget Sound
Orca whales, or killer whales, are a common sight in Puget Sound, with two types of orca residing in the area. The first of these is the Southern Resident orca, which is listed as an endangered species. Pods of these orcas, known as J, K, and L, can be seen in Puget Sound, where they feed on Chinook salmon. The Southern Resident population has been in decline in recent years, with a census in 2023 recording just 73 whales.
The second type of orca in the area is the Bigg's killer whale, which is the largest member of the dolphin family and the top predator in the sea. Unlike Southern Residents, Bigg's orcas feed on marine mammals such as seals and sea lions. The Bigg's orca population has been making a comeback in recent years, with a 70% increase in sightings in July 2024 compared to the previous year. This increase has been attributed to the growth in the seal population since the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.
The Orca Network is a useful resource for anyone interested in spotting orcas in Puget Sound. The network's Facebook page posts whale sightings, providing details such as species, location, speed, and heading. The Orca Behavior Institute also tracks whale sightings, confirming them with photos.
It is important for boats to maintain a certain distance from orcas in Puget Sound to avoid disrupting their hunting, foraging, and communication. Boats should stay at least 100 yards from any type of whale, 200 yards from orcas, and 300 yards from Southern Residents. A new law coming into effect in 2025 will require recreational vessels to keep a distance of 1,000 yards from Southern Residents.
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Humpback whales in Puget Sound
Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) were once some of the most common large cetaceans in the inland waters of Washington, including Puget Sound. They were heavily hunted in the eastern North Pacific from the early 1900s through 1965, with their populations in the North Pacific roughly estimated at 15,000 animals before commercial harvesting began. By the time the species received global protection in 1966, North Pacific populations had been severely depleted, with estimates of only 1,200 to 1,400 individuals remaining.
Despite their history of exploitation, humpback whales are now making a remarkable comeback in the Salish Sea, with more and more individuals venturing further inland into Puget Sound. Humpback whales are highly migratory, travelling long distances between tropical and subtropical wintering areas and higher latitudes in the summer. They demonstrate strong site fidelity to their chosen summering and wintering areas, and humpbacks from multiple summering areas often converge on common wintering grounds.
The humpbacks spotted in Puget Sound are typically those that have migrated from Hawaiian breeding grounds and are en route to their winter feeding grounds in the Bering Sea. Humpback whales do not feed at their wintering grounds; instead, they mate and calve. Mating behaviour includes aggressive displays and male vocalisations, or "singing", which can last for 10 to 20 minutes and be repeated for hours. Humpback whales typically travel alone or in small groups of up to 10 to 15 whales.
Humpback whales have been listed as a state endangered species in Washington since 1981. In 2016, the National Marine Fisheries Service revised the federal Endangered Species Act listing for the humpback whale to identify 14 Distinct Population Segments (DPSs) worldwide, three of which visit Washington's waters. These include the Hawaii DPS, which comprises 63% of humpback whales in the state and is not federally listed; the Mexico DPS, which comprises 28% of Washington's humpbacks and is federally threatened; and the Central America DPS, which contributes 9% of the state's humpback population and is federally endangered.
For those wishing to view humpback whales in Puget Sound, there are whale-watching tours available, such as those offered by Puget Sound Express and FRS Clipper. However, it is important to follow guidelines for responsible whale watching, such as maintaining a distance of at least 100 yards from any whale and avoiding disrupting their ability to hunt, forage and communicate.
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Minke whales in Puget Sound
Minke whales are among the smallest baleen whales, ranging in length from 23 to 35 feet and weighing up to 10-20,000 pounds. They are widespread, found in both inshore/coastal and offshore/oceanic waters, and are the most abundant baleen whale species worldwide. They are usually solitary or in small groups of up to three, but can sometimes be seen in larger groups of hundreds while feeding. They are extremely fast swimmers, reaching speeds of 18-24 knots (16-21 mph), and they can often keep up with moving vessels.
Minke whales are found in the waters of Puget Sound year-round, but they migrate seasonally from their polar feeding grounds to equatorial waters. They are considered "resident" to the inland waters of Washington, Oregon, and California, and do not have a full migration like other baleen whales. They are most commonly sighted during the summer months, and can often be seen along The Whale Trail in the San Juan Islands, as well as in Puget Sound. Sighting rates for minke whales in the Salish Sea have increased since 2007, but this is likely due to an increase in search efforts. Analysis of long-term opportunistic sighting data suggests stable numbers, but with a notable decrease in sightings during the early 1990s. NOAA's stock assessment surveys and other data suggest that the population of minke whales in coastal waters is relatively stable.
Minke whales are not considered endangered or threatened, but they are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. They feed on small school fish, krill, crustaceans, plankton, and small schooling fish such as anchovies, capelin, cod, sand lance, and herring. They locate prey and communicate with one another using low-frequency sounds, including "boing" sounds in the North Pacific. They are hunted by transient killer whales due to their relatively small size compared to other baleen whales.
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Grey whales in Puget Sound
Puget Sound is home to a variety of whale species, including the elusive minke whale, the humpback whale, and the orca. Among these, the grey whale stands out for its unique migration pattern and its local nickname, "the Sounders".
The Sounders are a subset of the Eastern North Pacific grey whales, and they have been visiting the waters of Puget Sound since 1990. These whales typically arrive in early March and stay until May, but their arrival and departure timings have become less predictable in recent years. Some whales arrive earlier, while others stay longer, explore new feeding grounds, or even forego the rest of their migration to remain in Puget Sound.
The Sounders are named for their tendency to "sound", or turn, east into Washington's inland waters during their northern migration. They break off from the main migration route to feed on ghost shrimp and sand shrimp in the North Puget Sound waters for 2-3 months each spring. This feeding strategy is both productive and risky. The grey whales are bottom feeders, and they target shrimp beds in shallow waters that are only accessible during high tide. This means they sometimes feed in waters that are barely deep enough for them to swim in, risking the chance of getting stuck.
The Sounders can be identified by their slate-grey colour, streaked with grey-and-white scars. They have two blowholes on top of their heads, which form a distinctive heart-shaped blow at the surface. They typically grow to between 42 and 49 feet in length and weigh about 40 to 45 tons.
Grey whales face several threats, including entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris, ship strikes, human-generated marine sound, and climate change. These factors, along with their unique feeding habits, make the Sounders a group of grey whales that are particularly fascinating to observe and study in the waters of Puget Sound.
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Whale-watching in Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a whale-watching hotspot, with five species of whales travelling through its waters. These include orcas, humpbacks, minkes, and grey whales. The chance of seeing whales in Puget Sound is high, especially in the summer.
Orcas, or killer whales, are the most commonly sighted whales in Puget Sound. They can be spotted year-round, but there are typically more sightings in the summer. The Orca Network's Facebook page and the Whale Alert app provide up-to-date information on whale sightings, including the species, location, and direction of travel. The Orca Network also offers a Whale Sighting View Points map, which can help whale watchers find the best spots to view these magnificent creatures.
Southern Resident orcas, a large extended family identified as Pods J, K, and L, are endangered. They feed exclusively on salmon and typically come and go with the fish. They can sometimes be seen passing under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge into South Puget Sound.
Bigg's killer whales, on the other hand, are having a record year in Puget Sound. Between January 1 and October 31, 2023, there were 1,270 unique sightings, breaking the previous record set in 2022. Bigg's killer whales are the largest member of the dolphin family and feed on marine mammals like seals and sea lions. Their population has grown due to protections put in place for their prey.
In addition to orcas, whale watchers in Puget Sound may also spot humpback whales, which can be as long as a school bus, and the elusive minke whales, which are among the smallest of the baleen whales.
Grey whales can also be seen in Puget Sound during their migration from Mexico or Baja California to Alaska. They typically pass through in the spring, staying between March and May before continuing their journey. They can be identified by their dorsal ridges and distinct pattern on their backs.
When whale watching in Puget Sound, it is important to do so responsibly. Boats must maintain a certain distance from whales, especially orcas and Southern Residents. Commercial whale-watching boats and recreational vessels are subject to specific regulations to protect these magnificent creatures.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are whales in Puget Sound.
There are five species of whales that travel through Puget Sound, including orcas, humpbacks, minke, and gray whales.
Whale sightings in Puget Sound vary depending on the species. Gray whales, for example, tend to migrate from Mexico to Alaska in the spring, while Bigg's Orcas are typically spotted between October and February.
To responsibly watch whales in Puget Sound, it is recommended to maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from any whale and 200 yards from orcas. Using a whale-watching tour company that is a member of the PWWA can also help ensure responsible whale watching.
