Mount Vernon, WA – A gray whale is drawing attention in Skagit County after being spotted moving through the busy Swinomish Channel Tuesday morning, an uncommon sight in the narrow waterway.
According to the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, the whale was seen traveling through the channel, an area typically filled with boat traffic near La Conner and surrounding marinas. While gray whales are known to pass through Puget Sound, sightings in this confined corridor remain rare.
Authorities say similar appearances have been documented in past years, including a sighting in 2020, but encounters like this still stand out—especially during the busy spring tulip season when visitor traffic increases across the region.
Boaters and onlookers are urged to keep a safe distance and avoid approaching the animal, allowing it to move naturally through the channel. Close interaction can stress marine wildlife and create safety risks in tight waterways.
Officials continue to monitor the situation and encourage anyone who captures photos or video to share them with local agencies as the whale remains in the area.
