‘Iconic’ humpback whale returns to Washington state. Who is Big Mama?

An “iconic” humpback whale known as Big Mama is back in Washington state, according to the Pacific Whale Watchers Association.

The migrating whale made a roughly 3,000-mile journey from Hawaiʻi to Boundary Pass in the San Juan Islands, the group said to a Wednesday, May 6, news release.

Member company Maya’s Legacy Whale Watching spotted Big Mama near Stuart Island on Monday, May 4, the release said.

“Big Mama is renowned for playing a key role in the recovery of Salish Sea humpback whales,” the Pacific Whale Watchers Association said.

Here’s what to know:

Who is Big Mama?

Humpback whales in Washington state were once targeted by commercial whalers.

The massive mammals had “disappeared” from the Salish Sea, which flows through Seattle into Victoria, British Columbia in Canada, by the early 1900s, according to the Pacific Whale Watchers Association.

“Whaling for humpbacks continued on the outer coast until the International Whaling Commission banned the practice in 1966,” the group said. “Despite the end of commercial whaling, sightings of humpback whales in the Salish Sea remained rare and sporadic for decades.”

In 1997, Big Mama was photographed for the first time off the coast of British Columbia.

She’s returned to the Salish Sea every year since.

“Simply put, she’s the whale who started it all,” Erin Gless, Pacific Whale Watchers Association executive director, said in the release. “This time of year is always exciting as we welcome the whales back, but Big Mama’s return merits extra celebration.”

Humpback whales are migratory sea creatures who feed in cooler waters during the spring, summer and fall and travel to warmer locations such as Hawaiʻi, Mexico and Central America to breed or give birth in the winter, the whale watchers association said.

Big Mama has produced a total of eight known calves, with a lineage that extends to at least 20 whales, according to the release.

Where can I see whales in Washington state?

According to State of Washington Tourism, places to watch whales in Washington state include Anacortes, Cape Disappointment, Deception Island, La Push, Port Angeles, Seabrook and Westport.

The San Juan Islands are “renowned for whale watching,” the tourism group said.

What are best months to watch whales?

If you’re hoping to get a glimpse of some of the biggest mammals on earth, your plans may depend on the type of whale you want to see.

“Generally, April through October is best for whale watching in Washington,” Tracie Merrill, education curator at The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor, told State of Washington Tourism.

The best time to see northbound gray whales in Washington state is March through May, according to the state tourism board.

You can typically spot Southern resident orcas in April through September due to the influx of salmon during those months, State of Washington Tourism said.

“Humpbacks are frequently seen from May through June, though they can be spotted throughout the spring and summer,” the Washington state tourism group said, while transient orcas and minke whales can be seen all year long.

“Whale behavior and travel patterns have changed considerably in the last two decades,” Gless told State of Washington Tourism. “It’s possible to see any type of whale at any time of year nowadays.”

What kinds of whales can I see in Washington state?

Whale watchers can spot several kinds of whales off the coast of Washington state, according to San Juan Cruises, which offers cruises departing from Bellingham and La Conner.

According to the whale watching company, you can spot these whales in the Salish Sea:

• Transient orcas
• Southern resident orcas
• Minke whales
• Humpback whales
• Gray whales
• Dall’s porpoises

Are humpback whales endangered?

Several whale species found in Washington state are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, including blue whales, fin whales, humpback whales and sperm whales.

Threats to humpback whales include climate change, ship strikes and human-generated marine sounds, according to the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife.

A fin whale died Tuesday, May 5, after being stranded on Samish Island south of Bellingham in Skagit County, The Bellingham Herald previously reported.

This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "‘Iconic’ humpback whale returns to Washington state. Who is Big Mama?."

Julia Hawkins

The Bellingham Herald

Julia Hawkins joined The Herald as a service journalism and general assignment reporter in December 2025. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at Western Washington University in Bellingham.