The waters surrounding the islands are home base to several orca family groups, most notably the salmoneating southern resident j, k and l pods as well as marin. Unbeknown to many tourists, the public also has access to. Take a whale watching tour aboard a boat seasonal with a member of the pacific. For the past 19 years, we have been offering whale watchingwildlife cruises in the san juan islands. Baleen whales of the san juan islands kayaking san juan. Whale watching in the san juan islands is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and appreciate killer whales and the other marine wildlife. Coastal cruising in a local panga boat or sailboat will take you along the shoreline, viewing the many small bays, inlets and beaches. About san juan excursions which offers whale watching. When is the best time for port angeles whale watching.
Come aboard for an adventure in the san juan islands or a fun and relaxing evening on bellingham bay. Our prices are season dependent, so they increase based on how close they are to our peak season summer. Owner operated, 15 years of experience performing whale watch tours in the san juan islands. The most wonderful ways to whale watch in the san juan islands. We also offer the orca whale adoption program through the whale museum. Whale watching in the san juan islands whale watching kayak. Todays groupon gets you up close and personal with the beautiful beasts in their natural habitat. Come aboard for an adventure in the san juan islands or.
The san juan islands are worldrenowned for orca research and whale watching and there are two different types of orcas. During peak season orcas are encountered on 90% or more of tours. This special limited season focuses on gray whales that migrate along the west coast, stopping to feed in local waters on their way back to alaska. Sidney whale watching 2537 beacon avenue sidney, bc. Locals answer your frequently asked questions about the san juan islands. World class whale watching, scenery, restaurants and more.
Guaranteed whale watching tours from anacortes the worlds best opportunity to see wild orcas is right here in the san juan islands, february through november. Best place for whale watching in the san juan islands washington. Nestled in the rainshadow between the olympic mountains and vancouver island, san juan island, unlike most of the pacific northwest, enjoys an average of 250 days of sunshine per year. That includes the whale tours by kayak, day kayak tours and overnight kayakcamping tours. The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see beautiful blackandwhite orca whales in the wild. Aug 27, 2011 footage of my trip whale, and wildlife, watching in the san juan islands of washington state on july 17, 2011. For more information on things to do in san juan island, download our free. Whale watching off the san juan islands life beyond borders. 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. The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see orca whales in the wild.
Orcas island eclipse charters whale and wildlife tours. For guided kayak tours, check out members of the san juan island kayak association. 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. Warm summer sun reflects off of downtown skyscrapers as the crew makes final preparations to. Whale watching and sunset sailing in san juan del sur. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes and occasionally even gray whales. Enjoy an orca whale aka killer whales nature tour on orcas islands all weather family style boat and renew your spirit with nature. It is reported that there are about 17 minke whales that can be spotted regularly throughout the year in the waters around san juan island.
Our cruises offer a gaurantee that if you do not see whales on you cruise you can come again free of charge. Those of us who live here in the san juans know that the opportunity to see whales exists pretty much all year round, but there are definite seasons when the whales are more likely to be about. Whale watching just 90 miles from seattle in friday harbor on san juan island. Most of the san juan islands whale watching tours originate out of san juan island, with friday harbor and roche harbor being the primary points of embarkation. Dec 04, 2019 gorgeous 1400 foot shoreline on salish sea san juan island, spectacular whale watching, sandy fire pit area, fire pit not usable if there is a fire ban and we are cautious as there are tall grass fields in close proximity, unique privacy, lawn to shoreline, sunny deck. Whether youre a pacific northwest native or a visitor to the region from around the world, a whale watching excursion in the san juan islands is an experience youll never forget. Jawdropping scenery, rich local ecology and the chance to view a magnificent orca or humpback whale in the wild. Price, convenience, and quality we feel that we offer the best of all three. With clipper vacations, whale and other sea life encounters are just a boat ride away from downtown seattle. 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. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just around. With your complimentary guidebook in hand, youll have about two hours to explore the quaint town of friday harbor. There are many opportunities to spot whales throughout the san juan islands. Whale watching and sunset sailing in san juan del sur nicaragua.
Visit the whale museum or the sculpture garden at westcott bay reserve. 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. Most premier whale watching vacation home on san juan. Whale watching san juan islands friday harbor whale. A whale watching trip from friday harbor is the perfect choice for any vacation in the pacific northwest, and being near the seattle, washington area makes it a great day trip as well. 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. There is nothing quite as spectacular as the sight of a pod of orca whales along the protected coastlines of the san juan islands. In planning your visit, you may want to know what is the best time of year for port angeles whale watching. San juan island whale watching day trip from seattle, wa.
San juan islands whale watching from friday harbor low season. San juan islands whale watching from friday harbor low. San juan outfitters owns the exclusive kayak facilities at roche harbor, san juan island and kayak facilities in friday harbor, san juan island. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just around the corner our first whale watching tour from friday harbor is scheduled for saturday, march 4th and we cant wait to get back on the water.
Two ecotypes are commonly found in the salish sea the critically endangered southern residents j, k, and l pods and transient, or biggs, orcas. Whale watching, sunset sailing and coastal cruising san juan del sur nicaragua san juan del sur nicaragua has a beautiful coastline, most of which can only be seen from the ocean. San juan island is the seasonal home to three pods of orca whales, and whale watching is among the islands most popular activities. The salmoneating southern resident killer whales srkw primarily feed on a diet that is more than 85% chinookspeciessalmon. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just. San juan del sur nicaragua has a beautiful coastline, most of which can only be seen from the ocean. When the december drizzle gets you down, come on up for some fun and vitamin d. San juan islands whale watching from friday harbor low season take a scenic cruise from seattle to friday harbor, where you will embark on an exciting day of whalewatching and sea life exploration. About san juan excursions which offers whale watching tours. However, to really enjoy port angeles whale watching, you will want to go on a whale watching tour to venture further out into their sheltered habitats of the salish sea and the san juan islands. Get up close with the killer whales off orcas island, the largest of the san juan islands near seattle, on this guided, 3. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. Considered the premier location to view wild orca killer whales, the waters around san juan island are ideal for whale watching.
Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington visitors. Anacortes is our flagship location where island adventures first began back in 1996. 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. The best place in the world to see orca aka killer whales, and more. Between november and march, these mammals visit the area in order to feed and mate. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island adventures. We want to set an example for other boaters on the water ensuring the continuation of wildlife viewing for years to come.
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 go on a whale watching tour boat, of which there are many. San juan islands whale watching from friday harbor low season take a scenic cruise from seattle to friday harbor, where you will embark on an exciting day of whale watching and sea life exploration. Until then, we are working through the project list and getting everything ready to go. Whale watching in the san juan islands whale watching. Best place for whale watching in the san juan islands. You may catch them passing by from some of the coastal locations on the whale. Baleen whales of the san juan islands humpback whale, gray whale, and minke whale. Our analysis focuses on boat and landbased whale watching in san juan county, the heart of. We have a trained naturalist on board and are waiting to share the adventure with you. San juan outfitters is known for its low guide to guest ratio kayak tours. Whale watching tour at friday harbor in san juan islands. Therefore, it is the perfect opportunity to organize a whale and dolphin watching tour. Led by naturalist guides and captains, climb aboard a blackfish fleet vessel and travel through some of the most picturesque scenery in the pacific northwest searching for orca. We use the san juan clipper for our gray whale watching tours as well as our orca tours in the summer since the our three viewing decks provide 360 views and indoor and outdoor whale watching.
Download our whale watching wildlife cruises, friday harbor, san juan island, washington brochure, download and print our full color brochure. The whale watch point guest house is a slice of heaven watch and listen to the orcas meander by, enjoy one of the best views from land of the lime kiln lighthouse, and sit back and relax gazing out to the wide open haro strait. Coastal cruising in a local panga boat or sailboat will take you along the shoreline, viewing the many small bays, inlets and beaches while coastal cruising you may see some of our marine wildlife and get to do some whale watching, and view some turtles swimming, dolphins cavorting, and rays. Of all the activities to enjoy here in the san juan islands, whale watching is one of the most spectacular. You can even adopt a whale, with proceeds of the program supporting stewardship of the southern resident orcas and the entire salish sea ecosystem. Whether you book a roche harbor or friday harbor whale watching tour, you are all but guaranteed to. Best location in the san juan islands for whale watch departures. Most premier whale watching vacation home on san juan island. San juan islands whale watching friday harbor whale watching.
San juan islands whale watching from friday harbor high season take a scenic cruise from seattle to friday harbor, where you will embark on an exciting day of whalewatching and sea life exploration. Learn about the areas vibrant ecosystem from the on board naturalist and tour a charming island town. San juan cruises has three whale watching tours a deluxe whale watch including a free salmon lunch and friday harbor visit, a halfday whale watching tour with a free lasagna lunch, and an evening whale watching tour that includes our delicious lasagna and caesar salad dinner. We had an amazing whale watching tour our boat captain and guide were very knowledgeable. San juan preserve offers whalewatching hikes minus the crowds. The waters of washingtons san juan islands support a great diversity of wildlife and baleen whales are the largest of all marine species we see on our san juan islands kayaking tours. If surprised by a whale within 200 yards of your boat remember. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands and the olympic peninsula at the best rate in the industry. San juan preserve offers whalewatching hikes minus the. Friday harbor, san juan island is the most underrated destination in the pacific northwest. Victoria san juan cruises new 3 day2 night san juan islands. Because our trips start in friday harbor on san juan island, where 90% of the regions whale sightings occur, and because of our boats travel at minimum 18 knots with passengers, we are usually able to get to the whales, spend time with the whales, and spend time viewing other wildlife during the 3 to 4 hour time allotted per tour. Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles. Peak season is from mayseptember, but that shouldnt stop you from visiting during the offpeak months.
Whale watching cruises san juan cruises bellingham. The whale museums soundwatch boater education program educates pleasure boaters on the least intrusive ways to watch whales in the wild. Popping head up to have a look around whale watching off san juan island at sunset whale watching san juan islands facts. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching. Very few people know this, but humpback whales and dolphins can be seen just a few meters from the bay of san juan del sur. Download our whale watching wildlife cruises, friday harbor, san juan island, washington brochure, download and print our full. The whale museum is a 501c3 nonprofit organization registered with the secretary of state in olympia, washington. Whale watching in the san juan islands is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge. 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. Download the watching whales in the san juan islands brochure. Our first whale watching tour from friday harbor is scheduled for saturday, march 4th and we cant wait to get back on the water.
Whale watching in the san juan islands the mandagies. San juan island whale watching can be done via boat or kayak or with a visit to lime kiln state park, the best place in the world to see orcas from land. Discover san juan islands whale watching clipper magazine. Low guidetoclient ratio means your naturalist and captain are on deck with you in person. Here, whale watching season spans from march through october. Consider following the whale trail, a collection of whale focused recommendations for visitors to the san juan islands. Jun 19, 2017 with clipper vacations, whale and other sea life encounters are just a boat ride away from downtown seattle. Rather than visiting orcas in captivity, visit the san juan islands in washington state. By clicking on or navigating the site, you agree to our use of. This site uses cookies to improve your experience, to enhance site security and to show you personalized advertising. Whales follow the salmon runs, so although whale sightings are never. 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. The most wonderful ways to whale watch in the san juan.