The best places to whale watch from shore on san juan island. Todays groupon gets you up close and personal with the beautiful beasts in their natural habitat. San juan islands whale watching from friday harbor low. 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. San juan island whale watching can be done via boat or kayak or with a visit to lime kiln state park, the best place in the world to see orcas from land. San juan island forum, travel discussion for san juan island. We saw orcas in the wild on san juan island san juan island in washington state is home to lime kiln state park, the worlds first whale. May 04, 2017 a locals guide to whale watching in the san juan islands. Once you return to friday harbor, visit one of our amazing restaurants in downtown friday harbor or soak in the hot tub at the tucker house inn. The san juan islands of washington are the best place in the world to view orca. Meet us at our launch site at snug harbor or use our complimentary shuttle from the ferry in friday harbor. Friday harbor whale watching san juan island near seattle. Learn about the areas vibrant ecosystem from the on board naturalist and tour a charming island town. We have a trained naturalist on board and are waiting to share the adventure with you.
You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and many other underrated species. Whale rocks and long island was the place to be if you were a. Friday harbor, wa united states whale cove san juan. Read about the history of the san juan island whale museum. After a few hours of exploring friday harbor, we got back on the boat to search for whales in the puget sounds. Here are a couple of ways to add whales to your san juan island trip.
If you dont see any whales on your trip to san juan, dont fretfriday harbor has a pretty good consolation prize for you. Humpback whale singing has been studied for decades, but scientists still understand very little about its function. There are many opportunities to spot whales throughout the san juan islands. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just around the corner. May through september is the busiest season for whale watchers, with june and july being the most likely to sight a whale. Best place for whale watching in the san juan islands washington. Looking for a unique, familyfriendly way to explore the pacific northwest. Local tour companies leave from the three largest islands daily and can also be chartered. The whale museum complete information about local whales and whales in general can be found at the the whale museum in friday harbor, a nationallyrecognized research. On june 20th, the odyssey joined up with j and the 18 members of l pod off the west side of san juan island. Anacortes is our flagship location where island adventures first began back in 1996. By pure coincidence, i stopped on the side of the road along west coast of san juan island and stumbled onto a scene of 20 orca whales slowly. Contributing family travel writer margot black visited the san juan islands in washington state with her family, which have some great opportunities to explore local art, spend time outdoors, and see wildlife up close. Today, our museum continues to promote stewardship of whales and the salish sea ecosystem through education and research.
So if youre looking for an amazing boating experience in friday harbor, look no further than san juan. There are many whale watching tours available for those that dont have a boat, and for those of us that do, knowing where and when to find the whales is a real plus. There are a great variety of whales travelling the waters here in the. San juan preserve offers whalewatching hikes minus the crowds. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just around. Sea kayak tours from san juan island san juan excursions. Yes, visit the whale museums home page for more info. San juan safaris sees more whales than anyone departing from friday harbor near seattle. Humpback whale san juan island national historical park u. There are six public beaches on san juan island where whales can often be seen. Click here to download all 12 months of killer whale watching data and be sure to. San juan island tour operators depart from three locationsfriday harbor, roche harbor and snug harbormaking it easy to step on board no matter where you are on the island. Rather than visiting orcas in captivity, visit the san juan islands in washington state.
The family was traveling toward san juan island from hein bank but was in no rush to get there. Bring the whole family to this center, where kiddos are welcomed with open arms. San juan island is home to lime kiln point state park a. Southern resident killer whales returned to their usual summertime haunts on thursday for the first time since. This website, san juan orcas, was established to help spread awareness of the endangered southern resident orcas and to arm people with the knowledge of how to help save these amazing marine mammals from extinction. Hiking the whale trail a walkable guide to whale watching. Enjoy an orca whale aka killer whales nature tour on orcas islands all weather family style boat and renew your spirit with nature. Help support the southern resident orcas by making a. 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. The whale museum here is home to everything orca, including the skeleton of the young orca sooke, who died in 2012 but lives in on in the museums reverent exhibit. San juan orcas was also established to offer help identifying individual orcas. San juan island and orcas island, in particular, offer many options for boatbased whale watching opportunities. 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.
World class whale watching, scenery, restaurants and more. Newborns are to 16 ft 4 to 5 m long and grow quickly from the highly nutritious milk of their mothers. The san juan safaris whale report brings trip reports from the salish sea. Familyfriendly adventures in washingtons san juan islands. We didnt find whales, but we did find wind, eagles and steller sea lions. Baleen whales of the san juan islands humpback whale, gray whale, and minke whale. The best place in the world to see orca aka killer whales, and more. Lopez island, orcas island, san juan island, friday harbor, outer islands, outside the. Tucked into a hillside that looks out to the gorgeous waters, the home is beautiful inside and out. 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. What are the most popular tours in san juan islands. If you encounter a marine mammal such as a seal at any beach, make sure you stay at least 100 yards away. Whale watching san juan vs orcas island san juan islands. You can also whale watch from the shore from numerous points on the west side of san juan island such as whale watch park, dead mans cove, cattle point.
You can spot these majestic marine animals from many of the shores on. Orcas island eclipse charters whale and wildlife tours. The park faces the islands west side waters where the whales spend time feeding and socializing during summer. San juan islands whale watching tours orcas, lopez, shaw island. 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. Discuss san juan island travel with tripadvisor travelers. When is the best time for port angeles whale watching. New calf t65a6 sure is getting the grand tour of the area. San juan preserve offers whalewatching hikes minus the. 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.
Whale watch park, one of the best places in the world for trying your luck at shorebased whale watching. The tour land based tour of san juan island, orca whale. 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. Until then, we are working through the project list and getting everything ready to go. San juan islands whale watching from friday harbor low season take a scenic cruise from seattle to friday harbor, where you will embark on an exciting day of whale watching and sea life exploration. I noticed that humpback whales are also seen from the washington coastislands. On shore, the oceans initiative team of field researchers has been trying to study how boats interfere with. Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles. Magical winter whale watching orcas in the san juan islands san juan safaris san juan island whale watching tours. Friday harbor, san juan island is the most underrated destination in the pacific northwest. Enjoy the warmth of the sun san juan island enjoys many more days of sun than rain each year and a good book as you unwind island style. Our goal is to give our guests an enjoyable and exciting tour, while always practicing the highest level of respect for wildlife and boating safety. It has been to almost all the major straits and channels in the area since its birth.
Whale watching in the san juan islands is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and. Owner operated, 15 years of experience performing whale watch tours in the san juan islands. Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington visitors. For more information on things to do in san juan island, download our. Peak season is from mayseptember, but that shouldnt stop you from visiting during the offpeak months. Weaning occurs between 6 and 10 months after birth. San juan outfitters specializes in unforgettable guided sea kayaking adventures and whale watching and wildlife tours departing from san juan island, the number one spot in north america to view orca whales. Of all the activities to enjoy here in the san juan islands, whale watching is one of the most spectacular. For reference on the water, 300 yards is about three washington state ferry lengths or one and a half football fields away from the whales. 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. Deadman bays 1,600 feet of shoreline is a great place to.
Download the watching whales in the san juan islands brochure. Our first whale watching tour from friday harbor is scheduled for saturday, march 4th and we cant wait to get back on the water. San juan island is one of the best places in the world to whale watch. Whale watch park, one of the best places in the world for trying your luck at.
Seeing whales from shore is a possibility at lime kiln point state park, also known as whale watch park, on san juan islands west side. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island adventures. In planning your visit, you may want to know what is the best time of year for port angeles whale watching. You may spot these on one of the island s web of hiking trails, many near or along the shore the same terrain that makes for somewhat easy cycling makes for plenty of opportunities for nottoostrenuous hiking. These are the islands that most tourists visit although there are a designated 172 islands and reefs in the san juan county. We came from the summer heat of texas to escape and explore the san juan island in the great pacific nw.
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. In february 2008, a white killer whale was photographed 3. Best location for guests coming from tacoma and the olympic peninsula. The whale museum, located in beautiful friday harbor, washington, opened to the public in 1979 as the first museum in the country devoted to a species living in the wild. Magical winter whale watching orcas in the san juan islands. Go on a great adventure in the san juan islands to watch whales. There are no bridges or walkways that connect them together, the only way to get around is by boat or by plane. Take a relaxing outing on the waters when you rent a vessel from san juan excursions in friday harbor. 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. However, to really enjoy port angeles whale watching, you will want to go on a whale watching tour to venture further out into their sheltered habitats of the salish sea and the san juan islands.
A locals guide to whale watching in the san juan islands. Baleen whales of the san juan islands kayaking san juan. We also offer the orca whale adoption program through the whale museum. Anacortes an average of less than 10 times a month and usually far from shore. There was an onboard naturalist aka marine life expert who knew about all the animals who lived in the san juan islands. Whale rocks and long island was the place to be if you were a bald eagle, with about ten raptors present. For those who want to try their hand at watching from shore, lime kiln state park is a mecca of pod sightings. Be whale wise san juan islands washington visitors. Apr 22, 2012 by pure coincidence, i stopped on the side of the road along west coast of san juan island and stumbled onto a scene of 20 orca whales slowly cruising along the coast, including immediately below. The least intrusive way to see orcas is from shore. Orca whales close to shore west side of san juan island 4. Low guidetoclient ratio means your naturalist and captain are on deck with you in person.
San juan island is the seasonal home to three pods of orca whales, and whale watching is among the islands most popular activities. Most tours last three to four hours and tourists should only go with members of the pacific whale watch operators association to ensure ethical and legal whale watching in the san juan islands. Often, the answer to the question in the summer months is something like on the west side of san juan island or swimming past victoria or near the mouth of the. Theres also a whale gallery, museum, and gift shop.
Oct 07, 2018 the family was traveling toward san juan island from hein bank but was in no rush to get there. Kayak whale watching in the san juan islands, seattle, washington. Oct 17, 2016 we saw orcas in the wild on san juan island san juan island in washington state is home to lime kiln state park, the worlds first whale watching park. For the past 19 years, we have been offering whale watchingwildlife cruises in the san juan islands. Sep 21, 2015 lopez island, san juan island and shaw island. About san juan excursions which offers whale watching tours. I am not a big fan of whale watching cruises, but it for most people it is about seeing and hearing orcas in the wild not a photograph. There are three pods of orcas that call the san juan islands home and they are the reason that this island has become the number one place to go whale watching.