There are many ways to get to the san juan islands, and each option is a unique and beautiful journey. Take the ferry from anacortes, wa or hop aboard the whale plane. Travel with kenmore air, which has 60 years of flying experience, to the charming seaside village of friday harbor on san juan island, and tour with san juan safaris whale watching, in business since 1994. More than 500,000 people annually go whale watching in the waters of washington and british columbia around the san juan islands. Spend a day with orcas, humpback, minke whales and more as you cruise through the waters of the salish sea aboard five stars sleek, 40passenger vessel on a victoria whale watching adventure. Baleen whales completely lack teeth and filter small prey such as plankton, worms, and. Located just a few hours from downtown seattle by car and ferry or an even shorter plane ride, the san juan islands are home to a thriving population of majestic orca whales. With the guidance of a trained onboard naturalist, you will be taken to an area worldrenowned for wildlife. The latest scientific paper from the center for whale research has just been published in pnas. 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. There is nothing quite as spectacular as the sight of a pod of orca whales along the protected coastlines of the san juan islands. Whale watching in the san juan islands postcards to seattle.
Footage of my trip whale, and wildlife, watching in the san juan islands of washington state on july 17, 2011. If whale watching from a boat isnt up your alley, you can try your luck at shorebased whale watching at whale watch park lime kiln point state park on the west side of san juan island, or. Drive your own car, a rental, or take a shuttle to the washington state ferry terminal in anacortes, wa. Kayak whale watching in the san juan islands, seattle. 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. How to get to friday harbor, washington on san juan island. Kayak whale watching in the san juan islands, seattle, washington. The islands are also home to the humpback and minke whales, a variety of other wildlife such as bald eagles, dalls. The seaplane base in seattle on lake union is a short taxi ride from any downtown seattle hotel. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands and puget sound, washington state. Discover san juan islands whale watching clipper magazine.
Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island. The whale watch point guest house is a slice of heaven watch and listen to the orcas meander by, enjoy one of the best views from land of the lime kiln lighthouse, and sit back and relax gazing out to the wide open haro strait. The san juan islands of washington are famous as the top orca whale watching location in the united states. Baleen whales of the san juan islands humpback whale, gray whale, and minke whale. Our sister company san juan island outfitters offers multiple sea kayaking tours daily, no experience necessary. Whale watching has been on my bucket list for years, and i finally got the chance to check it off my list in washington. Whale watching tours in the san juan islands, washington. You have a choice of three alluring islands lopez, the most rural, a mix.
On the west side of orcas island, deer harbor sits tucked between two peninsulas. Sea planes depart from lake union in seattle, which is a short taxi ride from most hotels, and return to seattle for. By midmorning, you will arrive at the islands, where you will embark for the highlight of your day, a whalewatching cruise. San juan island, located 90 miles north of seattle, is a fun and easy day trip from seattle.
Low guidetoclient ratio means your naturalist and captain are on deck with you in person. Why you should start planning your trip to the san juan. Anacortes is our flagship location where island adventures first began back in 1996. Meet the real pacific northwest locals as we journey to the san juan islands and discover seattle whale watching through the eyes of captain jason mihok, clipper captain of. Postreproductive killer whale grandmothers improve the survival of their grandoffspring. Today, we will enjoy a relaxing day trip whalewatching around san juan island. Begin your journey in seattle, where youll board the ferry for a puget sound cruise. Of all the islands, orcas island or the gem of the san juan islands is considered to be the most beautiful. If you are looking for a kayak tour near seattle, the sheltered waters of the san juan islands are the perfect place. Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington visitors. As defined by the seattle aquarium, we are in coreorca whale viewing waters.
Whale watching in seattlesan juan islands seattle forum. Whale watching cruises san juan cruises bellingham. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just. Sail north from seattles pier 69 to the san juan islands. Whale watching is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and appreciate killer whales and the other marine wildlife in this region. Best location in the san juan islands for whale watch departures. A day watching for whales and other sea creatures around the san juan islands. Fly back to seattle after the whale watch tour or stay the night and return the next day. The plane arrives in time to enjoy the town for friday harbor and its many shops and restaurants. 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 interest. The center for whale research cwr is dedicated to the study and conservation of the southern resident killer whale orca population in the pacific northwest. See orcas in the wild, learn about salish sea wildlife, and enjoy the ride into the whales world. We found a wide variety of prices, service and style from the various whale tours on the island. Enjoy whale watching and a san juan island day trip from seattle.
San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching. Admire the expansive views of unparalleled beauty on your way to san juan island. The clipper is a highspeed passenger vessel that leaves from downtown seattles pier 69. San juan cruises scenic whale watching tours in the san juan islands from bellingham, wa. The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see. The seattle to san juan whale watching tour includes an onboard naturalist and a souvenir guidebook to the san juans for a fun and familyfriendly educational day trip. Its the ultimate way to take in the beauty of this region that mother nature has so abundantly blessed. The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see orca whales in the wild. Whale watching in the san juan islands and puget sound. Enjoy more time in friday harbor with an overnight. On our whale watching tours from seattle youll fly to the san juan islands, see wild orca whales, amazing scenery and much more. Orca whales live, play, and raise their young in the waters of the haro strait near san juan island, washington. Print a map san juan safaris san juan island whale watching. Just a 90mile drive from downtown seattle, anacortes is a convenient starting point for your wildlife adventure no ferry required.
The most wonderful ways to whale watch in the san juan islands. The whale plane package includes roundtrip air with kenmore air from seattle to san juan and our whale watch and wildlife tour. For an easy and hassle free day tour, fly directly from lake union in downtown seattle to the docks of san juan island. While my dad was in town visiting me, we decided to go whale watching in the san juan islands.
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. Our first whale watching tour from friday harbor is scheduled for saturday, march 4th and we cant wait to get back on the water. Experience the thrill of seeing orca whales, seals, porpoises and so much more wildlife on one of our whale watching trips off the san juan islands near seattle. The san juan islands are unique and special, both for. While cruising the islands look around for wildlife as you listen to your naturalists talk about the ecosystem and the lifecycle.
Killer orca whale watching seattle to san juan islands. Start your pacific northwest holiday in style, with a seaplane or ferry ride to the san juan islands from seattle. Baleen whales of the san juan islands seattle washington. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. A whale tale in seattle san juan islands whale watching. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just around the corner. Whale watching san juan islands friday harbor whale.
Washington states best whale watching value and best spot north of seattle to see. San juan island is accessed via the wa state ferry that departs from anacortes, wa. San juan safaris is pleased to offer military personnel, active or retired, and their family members a 10% discount on all of our tours. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island adventures. The cruise leaves directly from downtown seattle, allowing us to skip the traffic and get right out on the water. Orcas killer whales united states center for whale. Berty and i were excited to go on this seattle whale watching day trip.
The calm waters near the san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to view wild orcas. The most wonderful ways to whale watch in the san juan. San juan island whale watching day trip from seattle, wa. Our 34 hour adventure whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. The shorter your stay in the islands the more important it is to plan ahead. Whale watching tours from seattle to the san juan islands. Theres nothing i love better than taking a ferry up through the islands. The whale museum, located in beautiful friday harbor, washington, was opened to the public in 1979 as the first museum in the country devoted to a species livin. The most common way to get to friday harbor on san juan island.
San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching whale. From the whale tour boats on the harbor to the parks where you can see whales everyone wants a glimpse of the mystical orcas. Ive done a little research on whale watching tours in seattlesan juan islands area and it gets a bit daunting to figure out which one is better. The san juan islands are worldfamous for the native and migratory pods of orca whales that feed and play in the island waters, making regular appearances and delighting boaters all summer long. Best location for guests coming from tacoma and the olympic peninsula. We had an amazing whale watching tour our boat captain and guide were very knowledgeable. San juan cruises scenic whale watching tours in the san juan islands from bellingham, wa youtube. Gray whale watching near seattle, washington island adventures. Your captain will take you on a guided whale watch cruise through the san juan islands. Our 34 hour classic whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. A guide to whale watching in the san juan islands, washington. 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. The trip up to friday harbor is beautiful, and we saw seals and even a bald eagles nest. Your innkeepers will make you a wonderful breakfast this morning and then send you off on your adventure with san juan safaris.
Adventure whale watching in the san juan islands western. With the guidance of a trained naturalist onboard, we will be on the lookout for orca, minke, and humpback whales, as well as dalls porpoises, seals. A locals guide to whale watching in the san juan islands. The first park in the world dedicated to whale watching was created here. A quaint section of the island, the location is home to deer harbor marina a small village where island time is enjoyed with a touch of casual elegance. 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. Click here to download all 12 months of killer whale watching data and be sure to zoom in to see. Ive done a little research on whale watching tours in seattle san juan islands area and it gets a bit daunting to figure out which one is better.
Why you should start planning your trip to the san juan islands now plus 7 amazing vacation rentals why you should start planning your trip to the san juan islands now plus 7 amazing vacation rentals a weekend of hiking, whale watching, and sipping on homegrown wine awaits in this stunning 172island archipelago off the coast of seattle. 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. Owner operated, 15 years of experience performing whale watch tours in the san juan islands. Sitting in the rain shadow of the olympic mountains, the san juan islands actually receives less rain than seattle making it a prime vacation destination year round. Whale watching in the san juan islands the mandagies. This is the only cruise that leaves directly from downtown seattle, allowing you to skip the traffic and get out on the water. San juan island is really about whales, whales, whales.
Take your best shot at kayaking with killer whales near seattle, wa. Orcas island eclipse charters whale and wildlife tours. Ive looked at clipper vacations it s an all day affair and is priced nicely. If playback doesnt begin shortly, try restarting your device. The waters surrounding the islands are home base to several orca family groups, most notably the salmoneating southern resident j, k and l pods as well as marin. Best place for whale watching in the san juan islands.
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