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. Price, convenience, and quality we feel that we offer the best of all three. Washington state whale watching travel in washington. Whale watcher on san juan island washington state travel. 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. Oct 02, 2015 we went on a whale watching tour with this company and they did a fantastic job.
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. 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. To be honest, i left that boat feeling a little bit disappointed. Seattle whale watching deals in seattle, wa groupon. Download the watching whales in the san juan islands brochure. Get up close with the orca whales off the san juan islands near seattle on this 4hour whalewatching cruise. Whale watching tours depart daily from orcas and san juan island allowing an opportunity for viewing the whales in the wild. 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. 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. 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. Our guides and naturalists work to create educational, fun, and engaging tours that provide our guests with memories to last.
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. Tour bus was on time and picked us up before driving to port edmund which was about 30 mins away. Many islands and islets make up the san juan islands, but its the four main islands, lopez, shaw. Staff onboard were really knowledgeable and the backdrop of the mountains in washington state was just spectacular. 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. Friday harbor, the witchy setting for the 1998 film practical magic starring nicole kidman and sandra bullock, is a whale watching hot spot.
Download our whale watching wildlife cruises, friday harbor, san juan island, washington brochure, download and print our full. Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington visitors. 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. Best whale watching locations in washington state island. San juan excursions whale watching washington whale.
Whale watching cruises are one way to spot large marine mammals, but there. It is still used by the whale museum researchers today. For guided kayak tours, check out members of the san juan island kayak. My husband and i took the whale watching tour while visiting seattle. Best time to whale watch in seattle seattle forum tripadvisor. Whale watching just 90 miles from seattle in friday harbor on san juan island.
Gray whale watching near seattle, washington island adventures. 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. Whale watching tours in the san juan islands, washington. Whale watching in washington washington whale watching tours. We went on a whale watching tour with this company and they did a fantastic job. The boat was awesome, we ate lunch on board and very much enjoyed the whole day. Led by museum educators, tours provide a unique experience that enhances your groups understanding and appreciation of whales and the marine habitat. 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. Gray whale tours each spring, majestic gray whales migrate from the southern waters north to alaska. Rainer national parks highlights on an allinclusive, smallgroup fullday tour from seattle. 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. 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. Experience wa washington state vacation puget sound.
Depending on the time of year, however, gentler species such as humpbacks and gray whales can also be enjoyed. Whale watch tours from the olympic peninsula island adventures. Sea kayaking tour, killer whale kayaking, washington. Of all orca whale sightings in washington state, over 95% occur in just. The whale watching tour was an adventure of its own and we ended up seeing three humpback whales for about 45 mins. Islands of washington area info washington state tours. Whale watching at olympic national park my olympic park. Whale watching washingtons waterways and shorelines are teeming with wildlife and make for a perfect outdoor classroom. Is whale watching possible minus the expensive tours.
Our experienced, passionate team of captains and naturalists love to share our vast knowledge of whales, wildlife, and their beautiful pacific northwest home with. 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. Located on san juan island with no more than 2,500 residents, friday harbor is accessible by floater planes and the washington state ferry. Today, lime kiln state park hosts more than 200,000 visitors each year. Visit washington, take a whale watching vacation to washington, and enjoy a whale watching trip in washington. The boat was awesome, we ate lunch on board and very. Port townsend is also the launching point for whalewatching tours aboard the puget sound express. San juan island is where the southern resident killer whales live about six months out of the year, from midapril to october. Anacortes is the perfect departure point for guaranteed whale watching and wildlife cruises. Whale watching washington s waterways and shorelines are teeming with wildlife and make for a perfect outdoor classroom. 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. Fantastic trip wasnt just about the orcas although they were brilliant.
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. Island adventures has the tour for you, regardless of where you are in washington state. Our tours feature small groups, allinclusive days, and tripadvisor hall of fame guides. 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. Island adventures collaborates with happy whale to learn more about where our local humpback whales go when they arent in the salish sea. Whale watching cruises san juan cruises bellingham. The whale trail runs from british columbia to washingtons olympic. Orca whale watching from port angeles, washington on the olympic peninsula. Whether you are planning a whale watching tour in the san juan islands or would rather do some. Seattle whale watching san juan safaris san juan island. 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. She became a registered maine sea kayaking guide in 2004 and has since spent her time exploring coastal regions around the world. Considered the premier location to view wild orca killer whales, the waters around san juan island are ideal for whale watching. 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 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. San juan island kayaking trips with orca whales in washington. Our five departure locations anacortes, everett, and port angeles are strategically set up to offer the best whale viewing opportunity. Our everett tours are the greatest whale watching value in the state. Leave from port angeles or port townsend for short transit times and long whale watching times.
Everett orca whale watching san juan safaris san juan. Join puget sound express for whale watching tours on the fastest, most comfortable boats in the nw. The whale watching tour was an adventure of its own and we ended. Three excellent options for puget sound whale watching or sea life viewing while in the seattle washington area. Jun 23, 2016 my husband and i took the whale watching tour while visiting seattle. When it comes to whale watching in washington state, orcas are the stars of the show and for good reason. Kalaloch is among the best places in the world to watch one of natures biggest attractions. 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. 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. Find your own rocky bluff, explore beaches and tide pools, watch for whales, or picnic and play in the nearby meadows. During peak season orcas are encountered on 90% or more of tours. Yearround tours, four convenient departure locations. Download our brochure whale watching trips, wildlife cruises.
To read the entire content of this whale watching tours page, please go to. 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. 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. Island adventures whale watching in seattle, wa and san. 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. 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. If you are looking for a kayak tour near seattle, the sheltered waters of the san. Go whale watching in washington state experience wa. San juan island whale watching day trip from seattle, wa. Vacation whale watching activities in washington state expedia. Whale watching kalaloch lodge at olympic national park. Get up close with the orca whales off the san juan islands near seattle on this 4hour whale watching cruise. 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.
Washington state whale watching washington waterfront real. About us the whale museum friday harbor, washington. Guaranteed whale watching tours puget sound express. See orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, gray whales and all the majestic wildlife in the salish sea on our tour departing from edmonds. The islands of washington region includes whidbey island, camano island, fidalgo island and the san juan islands. 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. 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. Click here to download all 12 months of killer whale watching data and. Whale watching in washington state orca whale watching. 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. Orcas can be seen here yearround and possess a formidable reputation in terms of power, agility and fierceness. Whale watchers accused of loving endangered orcas to death.
Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles. Boat crew and captain very knowledgeable, and we saw two pods of whales, a bald eagle and sea lions. Whale watching in the san juan islands is a unique opportunity to gain. Download our list of washington state whale watching. Well pick you up, take care of the details, bring plenty of food and drink, and maximize your time exploring. 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.
Visit washington dc, take a whale watching vacation to washington dc, and enjoy a whale watching trip in washington dc. Enjoy the experience of a lifetime with seattles only halfday, guaranteed whale watching tour. 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. 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. She has been sea kayaking in new zealand, australia, bermuda, costa rica and guided tours in midcoast maine, north carolina, the. Humpback whale watching in washington state island adventures. 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. Next saturday, april 4 th, san juan safaris begins taking groups of 40 or fewer people on guided. Port townsend and san juan island whale watching tour from puget sound express up to 47% off. Whale watching adventures in anacortes, washiington.
Whale watching in puget sound things to do in washington. The shores and waterways of washington state is filled with aquatic life like the minke, humpback and the california gray whales. 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. They picked us up from our hotel in the morning, drove us to the boat and delivered us back to the hotel after. Come aboard for an adventure in the san juan islands or a fun and relaxing evening on bellingham bay. There are a number of washington state tour companies and we have collected much of their information here for you. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and many other underrated species. Federal regulations and the be whale wise guidelines. Port townsend and san juan island whalewatching tour from puget sound express up to 47% off.
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