Mayas legacy whale watching friday harbor, san juan island. The san juan islands, located 140 km north of seattle in the heart of salish sea, is the most famous place for orca whale watching. San juan island whale watching day trip from seattle, wa. The calm waters near the san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to view wild orcas. 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. We have the highest orca whale sighting ratings in the san juans throughout the spring and summer, and we pride ourselves in finding the whales when others cant. Orcas being the hilliest the tallest peak is mount constitution at almost exactly a halfmile elevation.
Get the monthly weather forecast for san juan island, wa, including daily highlow, historical averages, to help you plan ahead. At lime kiln point state park, the loud, transient neighbors gear up for a party that runs from spring into fall. San juan islands marine area 7 washington department. Our immersive tours create moments that give us pause suspending the. San juan outfitters is widely considered san juan islands premier sea kayak and whale watch tour company. These waters, located 90 miles inland from the open pacific ocean, are considered to be one of the best whale viewing territories in the world. Not only did we see several orcas, but also spotted a gray whale, a humpback whale, seals, and a cluster of stellar sea lions on a rock outcrop. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just. Youll enjoy up to 2 12 hours on this scenic cruise to sucia island watching for wildlife as your captain tells you interesting stories and explains the natural history of. The three largest islands are geographically unique. Recreational, engaging and informative, we offer memorable experiences with a passionate crew, the most innovative boats, departing from the heart of it all, san juan island, washington. In the spring, summer, and fall they ply the calm, cold, clear waters of the san juan islands, following the schools of pacific salmon that are returning to the rivers where they were born. Considered the premier location to view wild orca killer whales, the waters around san juan island are ideal for whale watching. 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 beginning of april san juan islands tripadvisor. Baleen whales completely lack teeth and filter small prey such as plankton, worms, and. 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. The san juan islands is the best spot to observe orca whales in the american northwest. Worldclass whale watching, kayaking, biking, hiking, farmtotable dining, cozy lodgings. Boatbased whale watching tours getting out on the water with a local whale watch tour. Occasionally, the orcas are not around san juan island, but you can depend on this. Feeding almost exclusively on salmon, the favorite being chinook these whales can be seen from april to october in the area along lime kiln on the west side of san juan island due to the salmon run there. We had an amazing whale watching tour our boat captain and guide were very knowledgeable. Southern resident orcas spotted during san juan outfitters whale watch tour. Boaters are also required to stay a minimum of 300 yards away from orcas at all times, and 400 yards away when in. A few weeks ago, berty and i went with clipper vacations to experience the salish sea, go whale watching, and explore friday harbor in the san juan islands. Island adventures webcam is overlooking south rosario strait, gazing west toward the san juan islands from fidalgo island anacortes.
Set on a rocky bluff at the west end of san juan island, lime kiln point is. Enjoy an orca whale aka killer whales nature tour on orcas islands all weather family style boat and renew your spirit with nature. Whale watching in washington state orca whale watching. Sometimes that might be out towards eastern vancouver island, or down to the very south end of 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. This action is needed to provide the whales with a quiet area to feed. The best time to see killer whales in the san juan islands western. Until then, we are working through the project list and getting everything ready to go. Whale watching in the san juan islands whale watching. Join us on the new and fast, 55ft vessel sea lion for a naturalist guided tour. The guide to the san juan islands a curated guide to the. Whale watching in the san juan islands the mandagies. April 2014 a whale watching tour of transient killer whales of the pacific northwest.
Join me for a tour of the salish sea among the san juan islands. 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. Orca whales usually pass through the islands in greatest numbers between midmay and midoctober when the salmon runs are. 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 islands lime kiln point state park is a prime whalewatching site with knowledgeable interpreters often on site politically, the san juan islands comprise, by definition, san juan county, washington. The san juan island archipelago consists of a staggering 172 islands, some only visible during extreme low tide look out boaters. Regular updates and photos from our san juan island whale watching and wildlife tours. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just around the corner. San juan might not be a tropical retreat, but this scenic scape proudly features beaches, orca pods and one of the countrys largest lavender farms. Lime kiln point state park washington state parks and. Watch the whales for free at lime kiln state park parks. An island vacation on san juan island inwashington. We have a trained naturalist on board and are waiting to share the adventure with you.
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. Whale watching in seattle, wa and san juan islands. Whether youre visiting the pacific northwest or are a local if youve ever wanted to go whale watching in the san juan islands, washington, we have a treat for you. Crab seasons and areas washington department of fish. Here in washington, we have the largest population of bald eagles in the lower 48 states, and summertime is a unique viewing experience. You are visiting the absolute best place in the world to see orca. The salmoneating southern resident killer whales srkw primarily feed on a diet that is more than 85% chinookspeciessalmon.
Orcas island eclipse charters whale and wildlife tours. June through september is the prime whalewatching season here as. Biggs mammalhunting orcas live in these waters all months of the year, as do humpback whales. Welcome to the official travel site san juan islands. 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. 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. We also regularly encounter beautiful humpback whales through november and minke whales in the area. San juan outfitters offers boat tours out of roche harbor that explore the waters surrounding the islands. Sometimes that might be out towards eastern vancouver island, or down to the very south end of the san juan islands, or even north to the canadian gulf islands. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. Our first whale watching tour from friday harbor is scheduled for saturday, march 4th and we cant wait to get back on the water. The title of land tour guide really seems to fit her. Those would be the spouting orcas, finslapping gray whales and splashing porpoises.
She spent 8 yrs as a naturalist on board a whale watchingadventure boat from san juan island. The best places to whale watch from shore on san juan island. The park faces the island s west side waters where the whales spend time feeding and socializing during summer. 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 begin with a safety briefing to start our adventure. Humpback whales, minke whales, and, gray whales also call the region home. Her passion for the san juan islands will make you listen, laugh and learn. Whale watch park, one of the best places in the world for trying your luck at shorebased whale watching.
These killer whales are the most researched marine mammals in the world, and whale watch naturalists know the whales individual nicknames and. Orca whales live, play, and raise their young in the waters of the haro strait near san juan island, washington. Of all the activities to enjoy here in the san juan islands, whale watching is one of the most spectacular. Our vessels are the fastest in the san juans so we can travel throughout the san juan islands, into the gulf islands of canadian waters, and visit whales wherever they go no. Lime kiln state park, located in the san juan islands of washington.
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. Come aboard for an adventure in the san juan islands or. Pebbled beaches, stunning sunsets and deep green forests the san juan islands are inspiration for the senses. Along with a high likelihood of whale sightings, they pride themselves on trips featuring a host other marine wildlife, from sea lions to porpoises. We are the only company on the olympic peninsula that offers a daylong tour combining whale watching with a port of call on san juan island. Outer island excursions offer highquality, unforgettable whale watching, marine and fishing charter experiences in the san juan islands of washington state. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island. She hopes to see you soon and share this amazing place. 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.
Visit the san juan islands in northwest washington state. Sucia island picnic cruise bellingham wa san juan cruises. Our luxurious, highspeed vessels for small groups of passengers can accommodate a more personal experience with the whales and our crew. This daylong whale watching cruise in the san juan islands is also the official ferry route between port townsend and friday harbor.
San juan island is home to lime kiln point state park a. The southern resident community of killer whales are generally in the waters surrounding san juan island june through september. Today, the san juan islands are an important tourist destination, with sea kayaking and orca whalewatching by boat or air tours two of the primary attractions. 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. The tour land based tour of san juan island, orca whale. This tour is not only cheap, but its a top bucketlist item because it actually lets you kayak with orcas. Whale watching in the san juan islands washington includes. Experience unforgettable whale watching in the san juan islands. This park overlooks the waters of the haro strait on the west side of san juan island, just west. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching. Depart the bellingham cruise terminal aboard one of our deluxe tour vessels, with lots of indoor and outdoor seating.
Soak in the natural beauty of the pacific northwest aboard the finest whale watching vessel on. Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles. Whale watching tours in the san juan islands, washington. Crabbing is one of puget sounds most popular recreational fisheries. The waterways surrounding the san juan islands are considered the best place. State and wildlife managers ask anglers and boaters to avoid an area along the west side of san juan island, where killer whales frequently forage and socialize. We provide small group ecosystem and whale watching tours from the best location on earth to experience orca whales in the wild. Whale watching tours depart daily from orcas and san juan island allowing an opportunity for viewing the whales in the wild. We set sail on the 65foot odyssey and made our way out into the salish sea. Book an orca whale watching tour from friday harbor, san. Lime kiln point state park is the perfect place for whale watching, while pelindaba lavender farm will set you up with a lifetime supply of. Whale watching beginning of april san juan islands. We also offer the orca whale adoption program through the whale museum.
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. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and many other underrated species. The best place in the world to see orca aka killer whales, and more. Western prince has provided quality san juan island tours since 1986. Whale watching in the san juan islands, wa wanderwisdom. Orca whale watching tours reservations san juan outfitters. San juan islands whale watching, friday harbor, washington. The day before, we embarked on a san juan island whale watching expedition from friday harbor with san juan excursions.