Blog and whale reports san juan cruises whale watching. The best place in the world to see orca aka killer whales, and more. San juan outfitters owns the exclusive kayak facilities at roche harbor, san juan island and kayak facilities in friday harbor, san juan island. We also offer the orca whale adoption program through the whale museum. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and many other underrated species. Western prince whale watching is located in scenic friday harbor on san juan island, just 90 miles north of seattle. See orcas in the wild on a small group whale watching tour with mayas legacy whale watching at friday harbor, san juan island, 90 miles north of seattle. 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 whale museum, located in beautiful friday harbor, washington, opened to the public in 1979 as the first museum in the country devoted to a species living in the wild. Although some businesses close or are open fewer hours, more and more businesses are staying open yearround, and there is plenty to do in the offseason. Baleen whales of the san juan islands humpback whale, gray whale, and minke whale. There are many whale watching tours available for those that dont have a boat, and for those of us that do, knowing where and when to find the whales is a real plus. Two ecotypes are commonly found in the salish sea the critically endangered southern residents j, k, and l pods and transient, or biggs, orcas. Yes, the san juan islands seem like a seasonal place, but there is a population of about 16,000 people on the four main ferryserved islands, lopez, orcas, shaw, and san juan islands. Whale watching in the san juan islands the mandagies. Whale watching in the san juan islands is one of the most unique and special experiences one can have in the remote areas of washington state. Soak in the natural beauty of the pacific northwest aboard the finest whale watching vessel on. These three orca whale families come to the san juan islands each year may through september in search of their primary food source, the chinook salmon king.
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 best time to see killer whales in the san juan islands this is one of the most asked questions that we get. More than 500,000 people annually go whale watching in the waters of washington and british columbia around the san juan islands. Oct 14, 2010 whale watching in the san juan islands. Whale watching in the san juan islands in addition to hosting the worlds only whale museum the san juan islands are also home to washington states hidden treasure. 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. See orcas in the wild, learn about salish sea wildlife, and enjoy the ride into the whales world. The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see beautiful blackandwhite orca whales in the wild. Enjoy an orca whale aka killer whales nature tour on orcas islands all weather family style boat and renew your spirit with nature. On our deluxe whale watching tour we make a stop every day in friday harbor, usually from about 11.
Owner operated, 15 years of experience performing whale watch tours in the san juan islands. Whale watching in the san juan islands whale watching. 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. Footage of my trip whale, and wildlife, watching in the san juan islands of washington state on july 17, 2011. San juan outfitters is known for its low guide to guest ratio kayak tours. The monument was created from existing federal land by president barack. The monument protects archaeological sites of the coast salish peoples, lighthouses and relics of early european american settlers in the pacific northwest, and biodiversity of the island life in the region. Mayas legacy whale watching is located in friday harbor on san juan island washington, just 90 miles from seattle. Baleen whales completely lack teeth and filter small prey such as plankton, worms, and. There is no central source for the public to find out exactly when. The two naturalists on board were great knowledgeable, informative, and responsive they even customized a talk. Low guidetoclient ratio means your naturalist and captain are on deck with you in person.
No matter where i travel to around the world, nothing compares to the beauty of these small, treefilled islands in the middle of the. Whale watching in the san juan islands whale watching kayak. San juan islands whale watching tours are a great way to see all kinds of wildlife. This location allows us to access all the major waterways the whales travel, and we often view whales within the haro.
We have a trained naturalist on board and are waiting to share the adventure with you. That includes the whale tours by kayak, day kayak tours and overnight kayakcamping tours. 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. San juan safaris san juan islands 2020 all you need to. The san juan clipper, which offers highspeed catamaran service between seattle, victoria, british columbia and. I also vote for sj and orcas islands, and would spend nights on the former, day trip to orcas, especially as youll be whale watching from sji san juan islands this article provides specific information re. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching. Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington. Best whale watching tour boat on san juan island western. Experience unforgettable whale watching in the san juan islands.
The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see. Orcas are undoubtedly one of the most fascinating creatures in the ocean. In the summer months, the waters around the picturesque san juan islands play home to about 90 wild orcas, and san juan excursions has managed to get the majestic mammals to appear for photo ops and autographs on about 95% of all its tours. Mar 10, 2012 day trips and weekend getaways in the san juan islands, from whale watching to pottery shopping. Aug 27, 2011 footage of my trip whale, and wildlife, watching in the san juan islands of washington state on july 17, 2011. Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles, and much more. Western prince has provided quality san juan island tours since 1986. National monument located in the salish sea in the state of washington. Rain showers are few and far between, and we see temperatures in the 80s on a regular basis. Download the watching whales in the san juan islands brochure.
We had an amazing whale watching tour our boat captain and guide were very knowledgeable. The san juan islands are worldrenowned for orca research and whale watching and there are two different types of orcas. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. There is nothing quite as spectacular as the sight of a pod of orca whales along the protected coastlines of the san juan islands. During your approximately fourhour cruise, youll travel among the spectacular natural beauty of the. In addition to hosting the worlds only whale museum the san juan islands are also home to washington states hidden treasure. In the afternoon, we got off the boat to explore friday harbor for a few hours. Share events, news, history, culture, imagery, and anything else pertinent to the beautiful islands.
There is a reason so many people come from all over the world to the san juan islands north of seattle to catch a glimpse of the worlds top ocean predator. Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington visitors. Orca whale watching tours reservations san juan outfitters. Local tour companies leave from the three largest islands daily and can also be chartered. No matter where i travel to around the world, nothing compares to the beauty of these small, treefilled islands in the middle of the sparkling blue ocean. A day watching for whales and other sea creatures around the san juan islands. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island. Whale report blog whale watching san juan islands san. 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. We started our trip at 7am, and returned to downtown seattle at 7pm the same day. A subreddit for visitors and residents of the san juan islands, washington. These three orca whale families come to the san juan islands each year may through september in search of their primary food source, the chinook. Humpback whales, minke whales, and, gray whales also call the region home. San juan outfitters is widely considered san juan islands premier sea kayak and whale watch tour company.
The salmoneating southern resident killer whales srkw primarily feed on a diet that is more than 85% chinookspeciessalmon. San juan islands whale watching tours orcas, lopez, shaw. Killer whales have a diverse diet, although individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey. Named as one of the 10 best whale watching destinations in the world, the san juan islands are known around the globe as the place to spot these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Today, our museum continues to promote stewardship of whales and the salish sea ecosystem through education and research. Get up close with the killer whales off orcas island, the largest of the san juan islands near seattle, on this guided, 3.
Once you are checked in, relax at the inn or walk around downtown friday harbor visiting local shops, eateries, art galleries or museums. The calm waters near the san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to view wild orcas. For over 20 years, san juan safaris has been offering the highest quality whale watching tours with a focus on our guests experiences and respectful wildlife viewing. San juan excursions whale watching tours and wildlife cruises.
Since moving to the pacific northwest, ive been hoping for an orca encounter of my own, but thus far had fallen short. 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. 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. Your information source for the san juan islands since 1997. Bring your car over to friday harbor on the washington state ferry one of the worlds best ferry rides and then drive to the harrison house suites just a short distance from the ferry landing. Whale watching in the san juan islands postcards to seattle. 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. Whale watching san juan islands friday harbor whale. Come aboard natsilane, named after an orca whale legend, a 30 albin fast express cruiser, and enjoy a comfortable heated cabin, with indoor and outdoor seating, restroom and snack bar. The victoria clipper ferry does daytrips to friday harbor and back, searching the sea for whales and other marine life around the san juan islands.
This deal cannot be combined with promotion codes or other discounts and is valid on whale watching tours only. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island adventures. Mayas legacy whale watching friday harbor, san juan island. The waterways surrounding the san juan islands are considered the best place in the world to observe orcas killer whales in the wild, and the best location in the islands to access those waters is san juan outfitters exclusive marine adventure center at roche harbor. Orcas island eclipse charters whale and wildlife tours.
Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles. Best location in the san juan islands for whale watch departures. These recordings were made by alex from netherlands on july 23, 2010 all people aboard the ship felt the same when the family group of orkas swim to the. These orcas are feeding on the variety of marine mammals in the region, such as steller sea lions, harbor seals, harbor porpoise, and dalls porpoise. Orcas island, lopez island, shaw island and san juan island can be reached by washington state ferries. The mooring lines of the san juan clipper land on the deck of the whale watching vessel. 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.
San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching whale. The most wonderful ways to whale watch in the san juan. The odysseys multi level wrap around viewing decks provide space, open air, comfort, and lots of warm sunshine. Of all the activities to enjoy here in the san juan islands, whale watching is one of the most spectacular. Whale watching san juan islands, popular tourist attractions. Soak in the natural beauty of the pacific northwest aboard the finest whale watching vessel on the entire west coast, the island explorer 5.
Answers to your san juan island whale watching tour questions. See more ideas about san juan islands, day trips and san juan. The killer whale or orca orcinus orca is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member. Recommend at least two nights, two or more full days. Help support the southern resident orcas by making a. Whale watching in the san juan islands mayas legacy whale. There are a great variety of whales travelling the waters here in the. 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. Something ive always wanted to do is whale watching in the san juan islands. This is enough time to explore the town, taking in the shops, artist galleries and museums that make this town the hub of activity in the san juan islands. These recordings were made by alex from netherlands on july 23, 2010 all people aboard the ship felt.
Depending on your place of stay, you can either walk, drive or take an uber to the ferry terminal pier 69 on the seattle waterfront. The best time to see killer whales in the san juan islands. Some feed exclusively on fish, while others hunt marine mammals such as seals and other species of dolphin. When is the best whale watching season in seattle, washington. One of my favorite places to go in the summer is the san juan islands. The island has distinct personality and is the second biggest island in the san juans county. See more ideas about san juan islands, san juan and orcas island. San juan island is in the middle of the southern resident orcas federally designated critical habitat and summer feeding and socializing grounds. Warm summer sun reflects off of downtown skyscrapers as the crew makes final preparations to embark on a. This reputation developed from a commitment to the highest level of guest service, and our 2 exclusive sea kayak and whale watch facilities at roche harbor and friday harbor on san juan island. A locals guide to whale watching in the san juan islands. As much as i love to travel, its always so nice to spend the summer in the pacific northwest. They do not socialize or interbreed with the southern residents either. For over 20 years, san juan safaris has been offering the highest quality whale watching tours with a focus on.