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