Washington states best whale watching value and best spot north of seattle to see gray whales in the wild. The whale watching tour was an adventure of its own and we ended up seeing three humpback whales for about 45 mins. Download our list of washington state whale watching. Go whale watching in washington state experience wa. By matching photos taken on our tours with others taken around the world, we know that the whales we see travel to places like hawaii and mexico in the cooler months. Spend a day with orcas, humpback, minke whales and more as you cruise through the waters of the salish sea aboard five stars sleek, 40passenger vessel on a victoria whale watching adventure.
Whale watching in washington state orca whale watching. Thats because whale watching in olympic national park offers the unique opportunity to see majestic gray whales as they migrate from their breeding grounds in baja california up the coast to the bering strait, and back again. Whale watching tours depart daily from orcas and san juan island allowing an opportunity for viewing the whales in the wild. Find your own rocky bluff, explore beaches and tide pools, watch for whales, or picnic and play in the nearby meadows. Whale watching in the san juan islands is a unique opportunity to gain. Is whale watching possible minus the expensive tours. Everett is just a short ride to the ferry and you are on your way to whale watching with san juan safaris in friday harbor, san juan island where the whales are. Depart from port townsend on the olympic peninsula for 4 hour and daylong tours, or depart from seattleedmonds for the metros only halfday whale watching tour. Three excellent options for puget sound whale watching or sea life viewing while in the seattle washington area.
Federal regulations and the be whale wise guidelines. We went on a whale watching tour with this company and they did a fantastic job. Orcas can be seen here yearround and possess a formidable reputation in terms of power, agility and fierceness. The museums exhibit hall is a great way for schools, camps, service organizations, travel groups and large families to receive a personal introduction to the whales of the pacific northwest. Humpback whale watching in washington state island adventures. Gray whale tours each spring, majestic gray whales migrate from the southern waters north to alaska. Our experienced, passionate team of captains and naturalists love to share our vast knowledge of whales, wildlife, and their beautiful pacific northwest home with. Our everett tours are the greatest whale watching value in the state. Washington state package tours in washington state package tours are simply a way to buy the airfare, accommodations, and other elements of your trip such as car rentals, airport transfers, and sometimes even activities at the same time and often at discounted prices. 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. Everett orca whale watching san juan safaris san juan. Get up close with the orca whales off the san juan islands near seattle on this 4hour whale watching cruise.
San juan island whale watching day trip from seattle, wa. Best time to whale watch in seattle seattle forum tripadvisor. During peak season orcas are encountered on 90% or more of tours. Whale watching in washington state with so many different departure locations, companies, and boat styles to pick from when choosing a whalewatching trip, it can get confusing. 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. She has been sea kayaking in new zealand, australia, bermuda, costa rica and guided tours in midcoast maine, north carolina, the. Gray whale watching near seattle, washington island adventures. Today, lime kiln state park hosts more than 200,000 visitors each year. Whale watching in washington washington whale watching tours. While its always possible to see orcas, humpbacks, or minke whales on this tour, our main focus are the gray whales that return to the protected waters of puget sound each spring. Depending on the time of year, however, gentler species such as humpbacks and gray whales can also be enjoyed. Whale watching in washington state is sure to bring a smile to your facenot only will you see whales, youll also see a wide variety of other animals native to the area. Download the watching whales in the san juan islands brochure. Whale watching in washington is one of the top things to do on a visit to the main city of seattle or the popular san juan islands.
Whale watching in washington state with so many different departure locations, companies, and boat styles to pick from when choosing a whale watching trip, it can get confusing. Whale watching in washington features numerous charters, cruises, tours and excursions for watching orcas, killer whales, pods, gray whales in the san juans, anacortes and salish sea also known as puget sound. Island adventures whale watching in seattle, wa and san. Visit washington dc, take a whale watching vacation to washington dc, and enjoy a whale watching trip in washington dc. At seattle orca whale watching in partnership with san juan safaris we take great pride in providing you with the best orca whale watching and wildlife tours in the pacific northwest. Whale watching adventures in anacortes, washiington. Whale watching cruises are one way to spot large marine mammals, but there. Is it possible along any of the island shorelines or onp coastline, etc. My husband and i took the whale watching tour while visiting seattle. Washington state ferries accelerated spring sailing schedule begins march 29 th, and in this part of the world thats pretty much the official starting gun for the tourist season.
Nature lovers will find many opportunities to observe whales and other marine mammals, bald eagles, and a variety of shore birds and waterfowl in their natural habitat. Whale watching just 90 miles from seattle in friday harbor on san juan island. Click here to download all 12 months of killer whale watching data and. It is still used by the whale museum researchers today.
Orca whale watching from port angeles, washington on the olympic peninsula. San juan island kayaking trips with orca whales in washington. The san juan islands provide one of the best opportunities for whale watching washington has to provide, offering protected waters and a huge variety of wildlife, which include our three pods of resident orca whales. Tour bus was on time and picked us up before driving to port edmund which was about 30 mins away. Come aboard for an adventure in the san juan islands or a fun and relaxing evening on bellingham bay. Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington visitors. Seattle whale watching deals in seattle, wa groupon. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and many other underrated species. Many islands and islets make up the san juan islands, but its the four main islands, lopez, shaw. Whether you are planning a whale watching tour in the san juan islands or would rather do some. Fantastic trip wasnt just about the orcas although they were brilliant. Whale watching kalaloch lodge at olympic national park.
Island adventures collaborates with happy whale to learn more about where our local humpback whales go when they arent in the salish sea. Islands of washington area info washington state tours. The islands of washington region includes whidbey island, camano island, fidalgo island and the san juan islands. Whale watcher on san juan island washington state travel. Oct 02, 2015 we went on a whale watching tour with this company and they did a fantastic job. Clipper vacations victoria clipper the victoria clipper passenger ferry departs daily, yearround between downtown seattle and victorias inner harbour plus san juan whale watching tours from seattle may through september. Staff onboard were really knowledgeable and the backdrop of the mountains in washington state was just spectacular. Vacation whale watching activities in washington state expedia. Our five departure locations anacortes, everett, and port angeles are strategically set up to offer the best whale viewing opportunity. Next saturday, april 4 th, san juan safaris begins taking groups of 40 or fewer people on guided. Experience wa washington state vacation puget sound. They picked us up from our hotel in the morning, drove us to the boat and delivered us back to the hotel after. Explore wildflower meadows, alpine vistas, and waterfalls on foot as you enjoy magnificent views on a guided hike, or snowshoe trek, of washington states highest mountain.
Rainer national parks highlights on an allinclusive, smallgroup fullday tour from seattle. Join puget sound express for whale watching tours on the fastest, most comfortable boats in the nw. Jun 23, 2016 my husband and i took the whale watching tour while visiting seattle. Island adventures has the tour for you, regardless of where you are in washington state. Port townsend and san juan island whale watching tour from puget sound express up to 47% off. Whale watch tours from the olympic peninsula island adventures. Our tours feature small groups, allinclusive days, and tripadvisor hall of fame guides. Seattle whale watching san juan safaris san juan island.
Visit washington, take a whale watching vacation to washington, and enjoy a whale watching trip in washington. Whale watching cruises san juan cruises bellingham. Whale watching washington s waterways and shorelines are teeming with wildlife and make for a perfect outdoor classroom. Get up close with the orca whales off the san juan islands near seattle on this 4hour whalewatching cruise. Anacortes is the perfect departure point for guaranteed whale watching and wildlife cruises. Friday harbor, the witchy setting for the 1998 film practical magic starring nicole kidman and sandra bullock, is a whale watching hot spot. The whale watching tour was an adventure of its own and we ended. Leave from port angeles or port townsend for short transit times and long whale watching times. For guided kayak tours, check out members of the san juan island kayak. These killer whales are the most researched marine mammals in the world, and whale watch naturalists know the whales individual nicknames and family histories back to the early 1970s. Download our whale watching wildlife cruises, friday harbor, san juan island, washington brochure, download and print our full.
San juan excursions whale watching washington whale. When it comes to whale watching in washington state, orcas are the stars of the show and for good reason. Whale watchers accused of loving endangered orcas to death. The goal of this site is to help give a little more insight to the whale watching industry and to help the consumer make the best decision for what is going to work. Well pick you up, take care of the details, bring plenty of food and drink, and maximize your time exploring. The boat was awesome, we ate lunch on board and very much enjoyed the whole day. Guaranteed whale watching tours puget sound express. Whale watching washingtons waterways and shorelines are teeming with wildlife and make for a perfect outdoor classroom. Whale watching tours in the san juan islands, washington. Whale watching in puget sound things to do in washington. To read the entire content of this whale watching tours page, please go to. Whale watching at olympic national park my olympic park. San juan island is where the southern resident killer whales live about six months out of the year, from midapril to october. I saved up some money and purchased a ticket on a sightseeing tour boat that was based about an hour and a half from my home in tacoma.
Price, convenience, and quality we feel that we offer the best of all three. Whale watching tours and wildlife cruises with san juan excursions from friday harbor on san juan island in washington state 2018 certificate of excellence winner san juan excursions gives 5% or more of its profits to conservation efforts and charitable organizations. Download our brochure whale watching trips, wildlife cruises. See orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, gray whales and all the majestic wildlife in the salish sea on our tour departing from edmonds just minutes north of downtown seattle. The acquisition of the lighthouse led to efforts by the whale museum and the state of washington to create the first park in the united states dedicated to whale watching.
She became a registered maine sea kayaking guide in 2004 and has since spent her time exploring coastal regions around the world. The shores and waterways of washington state is filled with aquatic life like the minke, humpback and the california gray whales. Yearround tours, four convenient departure locations. The boat was awesome, we ate lunch on board and very. Port townsend and san juan island whalewatching tour from puget sound express up to 47% off. About us the whale museum friday harbor, washington. Of all orca whale sightings in washington state, over 95% occur in just. Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles.
Washington state whale watching washington waterfront real. To be honest, i left that boat feeling a little bit disappointed. Our experienced, passionate team of captains and naturalists love to share our vast knowledge of whales, wildlife, and their beautiful pacific northwest home with travelers from near and far. Enjoy the experience of a lifetime with seattles only halfday, guaranteed whale watching tour. Washington state whale watching travel in washington. There are a number of washington state tour companies and we have collected much of their information here for you. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. I can honestly say that moving to washington state has been one of the. Best whale watching locations in washington state island. Many islands and islets make up the san juan islands, but its the four main islands, lopez, shaw, orcas and san juan, that are accessible to visitors.
If youve always wanted to see whales in the wild, the pacific northwest is the place to go, and puget sound express offers some of the best experiences around, with guaranteed whale watching tours that depart from port townsend at the north tip of the olympic peninsula, and edmonds, located just north of seattle. Sea kayaking tour, killer whale kayaking, washington. 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. Boat crew and captain very knowledgeable, and we saw two pods of whales, a bald eagle and sea lions. Considered the premier location to view wild orca killer whales, the waters around san juan island are ideal for whale watching. 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. Led by museum educators, tours provide a unique experience that enhances your groups understanding and appreciation of whales and the marine habitat. With over 100 sites and signs hugging the pacific coast from british columbia all the way down to southern california, the whale trail is your best guide and.
Next saturday, april 4 th, san juan safaris begins taking groups of 40 or fewer people on guided orca watching tours in the waters around san juan island. Our guides and naturalists work to create educational, fun, and engaging tours that provide our guests with memories to last. These two waterways are whale superhighways where thousands of migrating humpback, orca, minke and gray whales travel each year between their summer feeding grounds and winter birthing areas. Located on san juan island with no more than 2,500 residents, friday harbor is accessible by floater planes and the washington state ferry.
That allows us to cover lots of ground so to speak and show you as many of the whales and other animals that call the san juan islands home as possible. I know the tours are best but with 4 people and all the other stuff to buy along the way you have to pick and choose as you know. She has been sea kayaking in new zealand, australia, bermuda, costa rica and guided tours in midcoast maine, north carolina, the florida everglades and now the san juan islands. See orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, gray whales and all the majestic wildlife in the salish sea on our tour departing from edmonds. If you are looking for a kayak tour near seattle, the sheltered waters of the san.
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