Deception pass state park jet boat tours from deception. So expectations were high when we visited anarcortes and island adventures did not let us down. Main season starts in march and ends in october, tours for gray whales take. On the app, you can create a new report, select the species, add a. Washington state ferry fares to the san juan islands paid at the anacortes terminal include round trip travel. We didnt find whales, but we did find wind, eagles and steller sea lions. It is hard to say whether the morning is better or the afternoon is better, because usually if we have whales in the area we will see them on both trips. Sea quest kayak tours explore the premiere orca whale waters in the san juan islands. We also cover the local sports scene like no one else in the area.
The whale watching season starts next weekend, feb. Puget sound whale watching tours puget sound whale. When is the best time of year to go whale watching in. The beach is a popular spot for seals and their pups to rest, making it a draw for orcas as well. We also offer fishing charters and private charters year round.
All summer whale watching passengers will check in at our store located at 5596 sr 20, anacortes, wa 98221. Whale watching in washington washington waterfronts. Gaze at humpback whales along the whale trail visit port. Download our list of washington state whale watching. Kayaking from friday harbor to anacortes you travel the wildlife hotspots of the san juan islands. Go west on highway 20 for 20 miles through anacortes. Mammaleating orca whales biggs or transient orcas best time to view. About 500,000 people take a whale watch tour each year in washington. Western prince whale watching san juan island boat. Anyone can do that by downloading the whale report app on a smart phone. We always like to say that no two whale watching tours are the same.
Whale watching just 90 miles from seattle in friday harbor on san juan island. Whether you are planning a whale watching tour in the san juan islands or would rather do. Tours are also launched at port townsend eastern entrance to the puget sound, anacortes on fidalgo island, port angeles at the south coast of the. We have the best mix of music with all your favorites from yesterday to today. The island explorer 4 and island explorer 5 feature full walk around lower decks, upper viewing decks, great sound systems, heated cabins, galley service, his and her restrooms, and the best crew in the area.
I am a season pass holder and we have gone as far north as salt spring island in canada. Also whale behavior does not change based on the time of day. Passengers will suit up over their clothing, and then drive to our dock. San juan island whale watching is the best known in the region, but whale watching tours also operate from orcas island and anacortes as well as bellingham, everett, and port townsend. We had a wonderful whale watching tour designed for ourselves, because we were only 3 persons on the boat. Island adventures is known as the areas premier whale watching company, but we also offer private charters throughout the year. All you need to know about whale watching in oregon. When free willy ii was filmed in the san juan islands, one of our local whale watch operators played the coastal marine patrol and took the cast and crew out for a whale watch tour to see orca whales in their natural habitat. The area around everett, camano island, and whidbey island is popular with the grays due to the robust shrimp. As such, groups of 3 or more are guaranteed a private charter. Checkin will be 30 minutes prior to the start of the tour.
These two waterways are whale superhighways where thousands of migrating humpback, orca, minke and gray whales travel each year. Whale watch tours in the san juan islands island adventures. Whale watching and wildlife tours departing from friday harbor, wa, just 90 miles north of seattle. Situated in the rain shadow of the olympic mountains, the san juan and canadian gulf islands provide calm waters seasickness is very rare. Outer island excursions offers whale watching and fishing as well as private charters from anacortes, wa on the blackfish fleet. Get up close with the killer whales of anacortes, the home port to the san juan islands, on this guided, 3hour whale watching cruise.
Anacortes whale watching seattle, usa lonely planet. Departing from anacortes the water is generally calm and were in prime whale spotting waters just ten minutes from the breakwater. There are several great options for getting to san juan island. Whale watch tours from the olympic peninsula island adventures. Take a whale watching tour aboard a boat seasonal with a member of the pacific.
Island adventures holds the industrys highest success rate and was the first company to guarantee whale. At island adventures, we pride ourselves on being the most experienced and dedicated whale watching company in washington state. Island adventures whale watching is based out of anacortes, washington, only 90 minutes north of seattle and 90 minutes south of vancouver, bc. Its no fluke that our tour has been voted the best in the northwest for years. Its pricier than some of the other excursions on this list, but thats because the whalewatchers shuttle to their tour by a kenmore air seaplane. Try whale watching from the shore at alki beach in west seattle, just a short drive or water taxi trip away from downtown. Time your adventure carefully during the whale watching season to maximize your chances of. Seattle whale watching guide 2019 clipper vacations. August 24, 2017 march 21, 2018 around town seattletacoma international airport isnt just an airport. Washington state ferry fares to the san juan islands paid at the anacortes. The annual gray whale migration from the baja peninsula to the bering sea is a challenging, 10,000 mile journey for these great creatures.
After arriving in anacortes continue north on commercial ave. The museum portion of the tour will occur after the 1hour optional whale watch. Island adventures whale watching 1801 commercial ave anacortes wa 98221. Weve been whale watching on all seven continents, but my wife and i had yet to see orcas in the wild it was our jinx marine mammal. Whale watching from land whidbey and camano islands. Ive been on an orcas whale tour with them out of anacortes and a gray whale tour out of everett, and both were awesome. Whale encounters are a possibility all along this route, as are. Three men from san francisco, ca hope to paddle their way into a deal with a collapsible kayak that folds up like the traditional japanese art of. Overlooking saratoga passage, the picturesque town offers closeup views of a wide variety of marine mammals.
San juan island whale watching day trip from seattle, wa. The worlds best opportunity to see wild orcas is right here in the san juan islands, february through. Deception pass tours from deception pass state park whale watching tours in anacortes and whidbey island. Winter brings some of the best fishing we offer out of anacortes. Seattle to san juan island day trip with whale watching often seen during the spring in the salish sea, mammaleating orcas hunt other marine. Orca whale watching from port angeles, washington on the olympic peninsula. Though they are not technically a whale, orcas are often considered the main attraction of whale.
Frequently asked questions san juan excursions whale and. Erin gless, a naturalist with island adventures, an anacortesbased whale watch company. Whatever tour you choose, youll have the chance to see orcas, minke whales, harbor seals, dalls and harbor porpoise, bald eagles, ospreys, cormorants, great. Begin your whale watching adventure in anacortes enjoy one of the best opportunities anywhere in the world, including our three pods of resident orcas. Anacortes is our flagship location where island adventures first began back in 1996. Kayak whale watching in the san juan islands, seattle, washington. Orcas or killer whales, humpback whales, minke whales, gray whales, dalls porpoise, harbor porpoise, nesting bald eagles, stellers sea lions, harbor seals, river otters, and an incredible bounty of birds are just some of the fascinating wildlife that we have an opportunity to observe in our beautiful region. Must be available saturdays, sundays evenings and holidays. We at san juan safaris are knowledgeable in all aspects of our local environment and enthusiastic in sharing our knowledge in hopes of encouraging our guests to develop a lifelong love of wildlife and its habitat.
Wildlife and historical narration aboard deception pass tour boat located in deception pass state park. Each passes through the seas at slightly different times of the year but overall whale watching season is considered to run from march to october. 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. Island adventures is an owneroperated whale watching company founded by shane and jennifer aggergaard in 1996. Under the proposal, whalewatch boats would have to stay 650 yards away from endangered orcas.
Whale rocks and long island was the place to be if you were a bald eagle, with about ten raptors present. Click here to download all 12 months of killer whale watching data and be. Employment opportunities san juan safaris san juan. We could concentrate on the beautiful orcas we have seen. Interisland tickets may be used between any two islands, they are not destination specific and fare payment is required traveling westbound only. Whale watchers need to stay farther away from endangered. The original whale watch company in the san juan islands.
Anacortes is a short drive from birch bay and bellingham and is about an hour and half north of seattle. Fares are less expensive in the off season lateseptember through midmay. Whidbey island gray whale tours puget sound express. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island adventures. You can drive to the town of anacortes, wa and catch the washington state ferry, or join us on the whale plane with roundtrip air direct from downtown seattle. Oregon the best tips for whale watching in oregon whaletrips. I made this video slideshow from photos posted by whale watching tour companies for the purpose of showing my friends one of the activities. We offer daily scheduled whale watching trips from anacortes from may to october.
Join us on friday and saturday from anacortes or everett on sunday and monday. Langley is known for its art, charm, great restaurants and inns, and whale bell park. This is an extremely professional organization from top to bottom. This anacortes whale watching tour departs from skyline marina and cruises out through the san juan islands. Turn left on 12th st, which becomes oakes ave, and then continue to the ferry terminal. The whale kwle the whale am 40 proudly broadcasts throughout skagit, whatcom, san juan and snohomish counties. San juan excursions gives 5% or more of its profits to conservation efforts and charitable organizations. Considered the premier location to view wild orca killer whales, the waters around san juan island are ideal for whale watching. To avoid missing a desired sailing, motorcyclists should arrive an hour prior to scheduled sailing. Orca whales usually pass through the islands in greatest numbers between midmay and midoctober when the salmon runs. Guaranteed whale watching tours from anacortes the worlds best opportunity to see wild orcas is right here in the san juan islands, february through november. Directions and transportation connections, from interstate 5 take exit 230 and follow sr 20 westbound to anacortes.
Whale watching adventures in anacortes, washiington. Anacortes 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. Experience nature first hand with knowledgeable captains and naturalist guides, who have advanced degrees in biology, geology, and more. On high traffic sailings, vessel overloads may occur for travel to anacortes. Join our island adventures family for the best whale watching in the. Robert herjavec has some suggestions for a former merchant marine from anacortes, wa on his innovative, deepsea treasure hunting business. View our san juan excursions rates and schedules for the san juan islands whale watching tourswildlife excursions and sea kayaking tours 2018 certificate of excellence winner san juan excursions gives 5% or more of its profits to. Island adventures whale watching 1801 commercial ave. Captains are responsible for safe operation and safety features, basic maintenance, accurate logs, overseeing first matenaturalist duties and setting a good example for wildlife viewing ethics and methods on the water. The city of langley is located on whidbey island in washington. We payed an extra charge but it was really worth of it. Shane has spent over days with the whales that ply the waters of northwest washington.
Anacortes whale watching deals in anacortes, wa groupon. While we have wonderful boat tours that give you a great perspective, sometimes the whales schedule doesnt exactly match tour schedules. Whale watching from land whale watching is a favorite activity in and around puget sound. View our san juan excursions rates and schedules for the san juan islands whale watching tourswildlife excursions and sea kayaking tours 2018 certificate of excellence winner san juan excursions gives 5% or more of its profits to conservation efforts and charitable organizations. Some of the best sightings are made from whale watching cruises that set out from several washington waterfront destinations and communities. Anacortes is the perfect departure point for guaranteed whale watching and wildlife cruises. Museum admission included for museum located on ocas island on main st. Take your best shot at kayaking with killer whales near seattle, wa. Locals answer your frequently asked questions about the san juan islands.