Best location in the san juan islands for whale watch departures. Magnificent orca or killer whales live in the san juan islands yearround, and this is the best place in the world to see them in the wild. J pod can occasionally be seen off seattle, whidbey island and very occasionally san juan island. Classic whale plane tour whale watching san juan islands. Considered the premier location to view wild orca killer whales, the waters around san juan island are ideal for whale watching. Best place for whale watching in the san juan islands washington. San juan islands small ship cruise uncruise adventures. At island adventures, we pride ourselves on being the most experienced and dedicated whale watching company in washington state. Whale watching san juan islands, popular tourist attractions. She spent 8 yrs as a naturalist on board a whale watchingadventure boat from san juan island. Download our brochure san juan islands whale watching. Experience the thrill of seeing orca whales, seals, porpoises and so much more wildlife on one of our whale watching trips off the san juan islands near seattle.
They will take the time to explain the details of each activity, answer any questions, and demonstrate the use of all equipment. Every once in a while, here in the san juan islands, we get an abundance of whales. An amazing evening whale watching and spotting transient whales on the san juan islands with san juan island whale and wildlife tours. Another option is to join a whalewatching cruise to see orca, gray, and humpback whales. Island adventures orca whale watching tours in the. The island has distinct personality and is the second biggest island in the san juans county. Soak in the natural beauty of the pacific northwest aboard the finest whale watching vessel on the entire west coast, the island explorer 5. We still have large knowledge gaps to contend with in our understanding of the complex lives of the different types of orca that reside in the waters off the san juan islands in the salish sea. San juan island whale watching day trip from seattle, wa. She hopes to see you soon and share this amazing place. Whale watching tours in the san juan islands whale watching in the san juan islands is better from anacortes. If youre planning a kayak trip be sure to visit sucia island marine park. Take a boat ride to observe the orcas of the san juan islands and their habits all guides are experienced facilitators and regional experts. Whale watch tours in the san juan islands island adventures.
San juan safaris, located in friday harbor on san juan island, is in the perfect location to provide you with the thrill of seeing orcas in their natural habitat. For guided kayak tours, check out members of the san juan island kayak association. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and many other underrated species. Lopez island is the third largest of the san juan islands and covers 29. Complete information on companies offering sightseeing tours and other guided activities in san juan islands, washington.
For the past 19 years, we have been offering whale watchingwildlife cruises in the san juan islands. Find out more about the whales when you follow the whale trail and find ways you can help the whales here. San juan islands whale watching tours are a great way to see all kinds of wildlife. This collection of whalefocused museums, parks and launching points run all the way. Western prince whale watching is located in scenic friday harbor on san juan island, just 90 miles north of seattle. Whale watching just 90 miles from seattle in friday harbor on san juan island. Download the watching whales in the san juan islands brochure. The title of land tour guide really seems to fit her. San juan island 90 miles north of seattle is the best place for orca whale watching as we are located in the heart of salish sea.
Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. Whale watching tours from san juan island in seattle. Today, we had 24 transient orcas and two humpback whales in the area. Western prince has provided quality san juan island tours since 1986. On our whale watching and wildlife tours you may see orcas, grey whales, sea lions, porpoises, minke whales, bald eagles, and much more. Our goal is to give our guests an enjoyable and exciting tour, while always practicing the highest level of respect for wildlife and boating safety. Aug 02, 2015 an amazing evening whale watching and spotting transient whales on the san juan islands with san juan island whale and wildlife tours.
Whale watching san juan islands western prince whale watching. Come aboard for an adventure in the san juan islands or a fun and relaxing evening on bellingham bay. The victoria clipper ferry does daytrips to friday harbor and back, searching the sea for whales and. Owner operated, 15 years of experience performing whale watch tours in the san juan islands. Humpback whales, minke whales, and, gray whales also call the region home.
The calm waters near the san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to view wild orcas. The tour land based tour of san juan island, orca whale. San juan island kayaking trips with orca whales in washington. Low guidetoclient ratio means your naturalist and captain are on deck with you in person. The worlds best opportunity to see wild orcas is right here in the san juan islands, february through. Orca whales range through the san juan islands the most between march and october and you can expect to see them on the vast majority of our tours during that time, although we do have sightings throughout the year. Orcas island washington is one of the most popular of the san juan islands serviced by the washington state ferry system.
Join captain hobbes who grew up on the water in england and has been operating whale watch tours and passenger vessels in the san juan islands for 12 years. San juan safaris offers one of the bestorganized and most professional trips in san juan islands in their new, fast 55foot boat, departing from friday harbor. Download our whale watching wildlife cruises, friday harbor, san juan island, washington brochure, download and print our full. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching whale. Download our brochure whale watching trips, wildlife cruises. Boats have a certified naturalist or trained captain on board to point out wildlife and describe their behaviors. Customs delays, and the ability to drive directly to us, you are in control of your valuable vacation time. We were watching a group of transients known as the t123s, when we received word that read the full article. San juan islands, washington sightseeing tour information. There are 172 named islands and reefs in san juan county, but only four of them are accessible by ferry. To help make the most of your time on san juan island, we have produced a helpful map with information about our whale watch tours as well as points of interest around friday harbor and san juan island.
A guide to whale watching in the san juan islands, washington. The tour san juan island the tour land based tour of san. San juan island is the center of whale watching in the pacific northwest and therefore friday harbor on san juan island is the best location for departing on a whale watch tour in washington state. San juan islands whale watching tours orcas, lopez, shaw.
Feb 16, 2016 the 100millionyearold san juan islands feature some of the most spectacular scenery in the pacific northwest. You can reach us by washington state ferry from anacortes or by air with friday harbor seaplanes from seattle. Most of our trips along the west side of san juan island have resulted in whale sightings, but your best and most assured way would be to. Orcas island eclipse charters whale and wildlife tours.
Its no fluke that our tour has been voted the best in the northwest for years. During peak season orcas are encountered on 90% or more of tours. Abounding with natural beauty, endless activities, and beautiful places to explore, san juan island is the perfect place to relax on a day trip or weekend gateway. Local tour companies leave from the three largest islands daily and can also be chartered. A number of tours operate yearround from the san juan islands. Soak in the natural beauty of the pacific northwest aboard the finest whale watching vessel on. Recently, transient or biggs orca have become more prevalent around the san juan islands than the southern residents. Orcas island washington visiting the san juan islands video. We ask everyone to follow the be whale wise guidelines and watch all whales from a respectful distance.
There are many opportunities to spot whales throughout the san juan islands. Puget sound whale watchers accused of loving endangered. This archipelago of more than 400 islands includes. Download our whale watching wildlife cruises, friday harbor, san juan island, washington brochure, download and print our full color brochure. More than 500,000 people annually go whale watching in the waters of washington and british columbia around the san juan islands. Island adventures holds the industrys highest success rate and was the first company to guarantee whale sightings on every tour.
Adventure awaits you in the beautiful san juan islands, just 90 miles north of seattle. Travel with kenmore air, which has 60 years of flying experience, to the charming seaside village of friday harbor on san juan island, and tour with san juan safaris whale watching, in business since 1994. Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington visitors. San juan safaris while youre in one of the best whale watching spots in the world, dont miss boating out to haro strait to marvel at breaching orcas and humpbacks frolicking with their calves. Here are a couple of ways to add whales to your san juan island trip. Her passion for the san juan islands will make you listen, laugh and learn. A map of each san juan islands kayaking trip routes and whale watching area we explore is displayed on the unique itinerary page for that particular kayak tour. Click one of the itinerary tabs above to read the tour details and see the unique route map. Our cruises offer a gaurantee that if you do not see whales on you cruise you can come again free of charge. Whale watching is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and appreciate killer whales and the other marine wildlife in this region. This daylong whale watching cruise in the san juan islands is also the official ferry route between port townsend and friday harbor. We were watching a group of transients known as the t123s, when.
San juan islands whale watching by clipper vacations issuu. We enjoyed a memorable 3 day trip to san juan island which included biking, hiking, kayaking and whale watching along with great meals and up close encounters with deer and foxes. The most wonderful ways to whale watch in the san juan. The spectacular natural beauty and relaxed rural lifestyle of the san juan islands feels like a world away yet this unique whale watching seaplane flight and cruise is just a daytrip away from seattle with kenmore air. Island adventures offers premier orca whale watching in the waters of the san juan islands, wa. Island adventures orca whale watching tours in the san juan. About san juan excursions which offers whale watching tours. Shes lived on washingtons san juan islands for decades, and still. Whale watching in the san juan islands the mandagies. San juan safaris while youre in one of the best whalewatching spots in the world, dont miss boating out to haro strait to marvel at breaching orcas and humpbacks frolicking with their calves. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island adventures. Click here to download all 12 months of killer whale watching data and be sure to zoom in to see the details. The 100millionyearold san juan islands feature some of the most spectacular scenery in the pacific northwest.
Victoria san juan cruises new 3 day2 night san juan islands. For those wanting to get out on the water, we can arrange guided full or halfday sea kayaking tours. At 2,400 feet, this is the highest point on the san juan islands. Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles. The evergreen shores, pristine marine environment and its unsurpassed beauty attract millions of visitors each year. The san juans as theyre referred to is an archipelago in the northwest corner of washington state between the u.