There is nothing quite as spectacular as the sight of a pod of orca whales along the protected coastlines of the san juan islands. The waters surrounding the islands are home base to several orca family groups, most notably the salmoneating. Baleen whales of the san juan islands humpback whale, gray whale, and minke whale. Our main objective in founding this center is to create an educational space where visitors and residents of the island can.
The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see orca whales in the wild. 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 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. 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 in the afternoon, we got off the boat to explore friday harbor for a few hours.
The san juan islands are beautiful and unique, yet 1,000 acres of federal lands managed by the bureau of land management blm still need permanent protection, including special places on san juan, orcas, and lopez islands. These transients were the t46s and we all held our breath to see what would happen when the humpback and orcas crossed paths. This groupon is not valid for saturdays in july and august, july 4, or labor day. Orca whales range through the san juan islands the most between march and. Best orca whale watch coupons in seattle island adventures. San juan kayak expeditions friday harbor, wa groupon. Whale watching on orcas or sji san juan island forum. The calm waters near the san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to view wild orcas. San juan island whale watching day trip from seattle, wa. Two ecotypes are commonly found in the salish sea the critically endangered southern residents j, k, and l pods and transient, or biggs, orcas. The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see beautiful blackandwhite orca whales in the wild. Two ecotypes are commonly found in the salish sea the critically endangered southern. San juan island is accessed via the wa state ferry that departs from anacortes, wa just 90 miles north of san juan island.
The most common way to get to friday harbor on san juan island. Dec 04, 2019 3 acres on san juan island, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom all ocean front. On this san juan cycling tour you ferryhop between four. National monument located in the salish sea in the state of washington. Orcas island eclipse charters whale and wildlife tours. More than 500,000 people annually go whale watching in the. When is the best time for port angeles whale watching.
Explore the waters in the san juan islands at high speeds. We are staying on sji for three full days, two nights. Whale rocks and long island was the place to be if you were a bald eagle, with about ten raptors present. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and many other underrated species. 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. The smithsonian magazine names port angeles, washington as one of the countrys top whalewatching destinations. Residents of the san juan islands form three large family groups, or pods. San juan outfitters is widely considered san juan islands premier sea kayak and whale watch tour company. 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. Classic whale plane tour san juan safaris san juan island. San juan islands visitors bureaus website reads getting here is half the fun, and i 100% agree. A whale watching trip from friday harbor is the perfect choice for any.
Take i5 north to exit 230, which is just north of the city of mt. Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington. Oct 07, 2018 on august 12th, we encountered a humpback whale heading down san juan channel but soon after, we got a report of transients coming up san juan channel. The orca whale, orcinus orca a familiar sight around san juan island in the summer months, mostly from. Humpback whales, minke whales, and, gray whales also call the region home. Whale watching for one, two, or four at orcas island whale watch up to 59% off. Classic whale plane tour san juan safaris san juan. Indeed the pace of life and the pastoral setting make the san juan islands the perfect destination for beginner and intermediate cycling vacations. The plane arrives in time to enjoy the town for friday harbor and its many shops and restaurants. Our sister company san juan island outfitters offers multiple sea kayaking tours daily, no experience necessary.
Our sister company san juan island outfitters offers multiple sea. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and. Whale watching off the san juan islands life beyond borders. Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching. The san juan islands are the best place in the world to view killer whales, and viewing them from a kayak is an experience like none other. President obama acted to protect these island landscapes by designating them as a national monument. For added adventure, opt for the whale plane package which includes roundtrip air with kenmore air and a san juan safaris tour. I am seeing a lot of offers through groupon and living social for whale watching on orcas in the 60 range. Escape the screeching horns and obnoxious wandering carolers of the city and spend a day in the company of freed willies with todays groupon to san juan excursions. Protect the san juan islands environment washington. Orca whale watching tours reservations san juan outfitters.
Best location in the san juan islands for whale watch departures. Cruise the pristine waters and narrow passageways aboard the chinook, view orca whales and other wildlife, talk with our knowledgeable captain and crew. Bring the whole family to this center, where kiddos are welcomed with open arms. More than 500,000 people annually go whale watching in the waters of washington and british columbia around the san juan islands. 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. Best whale watching tour boat on san juan island western. Cruise the pristine waters and narrow passageways aboard the chinook, view orca whales and other wildlife, talk with our knowledgeable captain and crew about the biology and geology of the area, and enjoy two nights in the town of friday harbor, the heart of the san juan islands.
Most premier whale watching vacation home on san juan. Soak in the natural beauty of the pacific northwest aboard the finest whale watching vessel on the entire west coast, the island explorer 5. The monument protects archaeological sites of the coast salish peoples, lighthouses. A day watching for whales and other sea creatures around the san juan islands. Whale watching, kayaking and hiking can also be arranged. 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. You may catch them passing by from some of the coastal locations on the whale. As much as i prefer off the beaten path destinations, places that are difficult to get to read. On this san juan cycling tour you ferryhop between four islands. Most of our trips along the west side of san juan island have resulted in whale sightings, but. 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.
Best location for guests coming from tacoma and the olympic peninsula. If playback doesnt begin shortly, try restarting your device. We began our journey with a search through the inner san juan islands as we tried to locate an early morning report of whales in that region. Todays groupon gets you up close and personal with the beautiful beasts in their natural habitat. The j pod, which currently has about 25 individuals, is frequently seen along the western shore of the island and is the only pod that. This reputation developed from a commitment to the highest level of guest service, and our. Owner operated, 15 years of experience performing whale watch tours in the san juan islands. We wondered if the humpback would get spooked or harassed. We also offer the orca whale adoption program through the whale museum. We didnt find whales, but we did find wind, eagles and steller sea lions. There are many opportunities to spot whales throughout the san juan islands. We didnt find whales, but we did find wind, eagles and steller. Fly back to seattle after the whale watch tour or stay the night and return the next day.
To start with, the san juan islands are the best place in the usa to spot orca or killer whales and bald eagles, after. Most premier whale watching vacation home on san juan island. The flight lasts 45 minutes and offers incredible views of cities, mountains. 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. A locals guide to whale watching in the san juan islands. 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. Friday harbor, wa united states whale cove san juan. The most wonderful ways to whale watch in the san juan. Go west on highway 20 for about 20 miles to anacortes following the anacortes san juan islands signs. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island adventures.
Popping head up to have a look around whale watching off san juan island at sunset whale watching san juan islands facts. The waters of washingtons san juan islands support a great diversity of. 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. San juan excursions won firstplace honors for best whale watching in 2009 from cityvoters. Our main objective in founding this center is to create an educational space where visitors and residents of the island can glean knowledge of our diverse ecosystem here in the san juan islands, washington and surrounding areas. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island. Owner tim thomsen began leading multiday kayak trips in the san juan islands in 1980.
San juan cruises scenic whale watching tours in the san juan islands from bellingham, wa. What is the experience customers can expect, and how do you make it special. Whale watching in the san juan islands the mandagies. 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. We had an amazing whale watching tour our boat captain and guide were very knowledgeable. San juan island is the center of whale watching in the pacific northwest and. Enjoy an orca whale aka killer whales nature tour on orcas islands all weather family style boat and renew your spirit with nature. San juan island is in the middle of the southern resident orcas federally designated critical habitat and summer feeding and socializing grounds. The san juan islands are beautiful and unique, yet 1,000 acres of federal lands managed by the bureau of land management blm still need permanent protection, including special places on san juan, orcas. Best place for whale watching in the san juan islands. Since 1976, weve kept a database of orca and other marine mammal sightings in the inland waters.
San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching whale. Whale watching san juan islands friday harbor whale. 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. So if youre looking for an amazing boating experience in friday harbor, look no further than san juan.
Venturing as far as 50 miles into canadian waters, whale watching excursions foster personal rapport between patrons and boatside orcas, gray whales, or humpback whales trying to learn human. Drive your own car, a rental, or take a shuttle to the washington state ferry terminal in anacortes, wa. Outer island expeditions fleet of kayaks and boats safely cruises at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour through frothy crests ebbing amid the striking sights and wildlife of the san juan islands. We are the original seakayaking company in the san juan islands. On august 12th, we encountered a humpback whale heading down san juan channel but soon after, we got a report of transients coming up san juan channel. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands.
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. Best place for whale watching in the san juan islands washington. Low guidetoclient ratio means your naturalist and captain are on deck with you in person. Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington visitors. Port townsend and san juan island whalewatching tour from. We have a trained naturalist on board and are waiting to share the adventure with you. Adventure whale watching in the san juan islands western. Whale watching cruises san juan cruises bellingham. Take a relaxing outing on the waters when you rent a vessel from san juan excursions in friday harbor.
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