Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. San juan islands are northwest of seattle and are one of the best areas in the country to see orca whales in the wild. Heather landon heather leigh carroll is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience. The thrill of seeing a spout, or better yet, a breaching whale as it prepares to dive makes a fun adventure.
Get up close with the orca whales off the san juan islands near seattle on this 4hour whale watching cruise. Whether it is a school field trip, family reunion, company outing, wedding group or any other special occasion. Try whale watching from the shore at alki beach in west seattle, just a short drive or water taxi trip away from downtown. San juan island whale watching day trip from seattle, wa.
Gray whale watching near seattle, washington island adventures. Nov 27, 2018 this west seattle beach is a popular spot for seals and their pups, leading to the presence of biggs or transient orcas. During peak season orcas are encountered on 90% or more of tours. Seattle to victoria day trip with whale watching clipper. Thats why show me seattle is proud to offer gift cards for purchase. San juan island is considered the best place to view orca whales because of the large salmon population, which is. Jan 07, 2014 killer whale kayaking tours san juan islands kayak with orcas. Some of the more popular tour companies in alaska include juneau whale watch and alaska whale tours. With almost 85 whales in the area, youll have plenty of opportunities for a. Id like to go to seattle for several reasons but my main reason would be to whale watch. Download a vibrantly narrated mp3 audio guide combined with a map detailing the area of your tour. When you join san juan safaris on a whale watching tour, youll have a great chance to observe orca whales in their natural environment. With that in mind, here are the best whale watching tours in and around seattle. This west seattle beach is a popular spot for seals and their pups, leading to the presence of biggs or transient orcas.
With some research and planning, you can go whale watching in seattle and other puget sound cities on your own. For the best whale watching in seattle, enjoy the beauty of san juan island on a whale watching cruise from friday harbor, a quaint town on the island. Seattle to san juan island day trip with whale watching unlike mammaleating orcas, salmoneating orcas have a smaller and more defined traveling range. Guaranteed whale watching tours puget sound express. A typical zodiac trip experiences more ocean spray, and passengers can be splashed at some point along the route. Depart from either port townsend or edmonds just 17 miles north of seattle for a whale watching tour through the sound on one of their three ships, all equipped with indoor seating to keep the oceans chill away. We also offer special allday tours several times each year, as well as private charters tailored to your interests. Spend an afternoon learning about whales and sealife with a day trip from seattle to victoria, bc to for an exhilarating threehour whale watching tour. See orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, gray whales and all the majestic wildlife in the salish sea on our tour departing from edmonds just minutes north of downtown seattle.
Everett is the best departure in the spring its only 30 miles from seattle and the whales are often right off of the dock. One of the best places to view the many humpback whales from land is the shrine of. Melanie renzulli is a travel writer who specializes in the united states and italy, and who founded the usa tourism board. Whale watching, butchart gardens and butterfly gardens.
At seattle orca whale watching in partnership with san juan safaris we take great pride in providing you with the best orca whale watching and wildlife tours in the pacific northwest. Orca whales were seen by 55% of our multiday kayaking trip guests from 20052018. The highspeed victoria clipper passenger ferry from seattle cruises through. Killer orca whale watching seattle to san juan islands. Here are five top rated whalewatching tours that are hard to beat. While it is possible to see whales at any time of the year, there is a peak season from may through october. Whale watching tour companies seattle forum tripadvisor. See orcas, humpback whales, and all the majestic wildlife throughout the salish sea on our tour out of edmonds just a few minutes north of seattle. Apr 26, 2017 with that in mind, here are the best whale watching tours in and around seattle. Does anyone know if this is a good time to whale watch. Available for any amount of your choosing, our gift cards allow your friends and family to enjoy an intimate.
Huge pod of 20 orca whales, san juan islands, wa top things. Our coast guard inspected vessels travel farther and faster than other tours, allowing you the best chance to see whales and other wildlife. When whale sighting reports come in, we typically alter course towards whales within range of the boat. Biggs orcas differ from the resident orca pods that follow the salmon chum runs, as they eat mammals. Dan and his wife denise wilk have run whale watching tours since 1991 and are founding members of the pacific whale watch association and still some of its most active, completely dedicated to providing spectacular viewing opportunities for passengers while protecting sensitive wildlife, particularly our endangered resident orcas. Jul 28, 2017 whale watching tours are definitely popular so check one out or go out on a friends boat when the orcas come around you just gotta keep lookout for the crowds of whalewatching boats out there.
Whale watching just 90 miles from seattle in friday harbor on san juan island considered the premier location to view wild orca killer whales, the waters around san juan island are ideal for whale watching. Kayak whale watching in the san juan islands, seattle. Our rates are seasonal and include all tax, fees and a conservation contribution we make on your behalf. Three generations of family ownership have made the tour operators at puget sound express some of the most knowledgeable around. If you do not specify a hotel pickup location from this list, you will be confirmed for meeting the tour at the no hotel general pickup location. The san juan islands is the best spot to observe orca whales in the american northwest. Id prefer to see orcas and i heard they might be around that area in april. The best time for whale watching in sea ttle and nearby areas is all year round, however depending on when you come will determine what types of whales you see and how many. Our whale watching and wildlife tours are two and a half to three hours in length. Weve rounded up five incredible whalewatching spots along the pacific, from. Our everett gray whale trips have been running for over a decade. Sw looking for more spots on the shore that are good for whale watching.
Today in fact ferries are delayed due to whales, but that is a exception. But for those who prefer a closer look, friday harbor offers a total of 15 tours, including. Named one of the top 5 whale watching destinations in. We only have the one shot and want to make sure we use a good solid company. San juan excursions whale watching seattle seattle washington. Click here to download all 12 months of killer whale watching data and be. Top 10 best whale watching tours in seattle, wa last updated.
Sea quest kayak tours explore the premiere orca whale waters in the san juan. Well pick you up, take care of the details, bring plenty of food and drink, and maximize your time exploring. Best time to whale watch in seattle seattle message board. Whale watching san juan islands western prince whale watching. Cruise, whale watching, girls weekend destination 2701 alaskan way, downtown seattle, wa we have taken the victoria clipper to victoria, bc and i must say it was one of the most unforgettable cruises ive ever been on. View orca whales in their natural habitat on the new 55.
Kayak whale watching in the san juan islands, seattle, washington. San juan excursions whale watching seattle seattle. The metro area now has its firstever, halfday whale watching tour. Our guides and naturalists work to create educational, fun, and engaging tours that provide our guests with memories to last a lifetime. Salmoneating orca whales southern resident orcas best time to view. Where to go whale watching in the western usa visit the usa. Enjoy the experience of a lifetime with seattles only halfday, guaranteed whale watching tour. Your eticket will include a phone number that you must call 24 to 48 hours prior to the tour to reconfirm the pickup time and specific location where pickup occurs. One of the best gifts you can give is an exciting experience. Reviews on whale watching tours in seattle, wa puget sound express, victoria clipper, seattle orca whale watching, argosy cruises seattle, tours. Fly back to seattle after the whale watch tour or stay the night and return the next day. Minkes range in length from 2333 feet and weigh up to 10 tons. Top 5 american whalewatching tours cbs san francisco. Whale watching has been a popular tourism activity since 1950 when the whale overlook, the worlds first public whale.
The best whale watching in seattle adams moving service. We booked the whale watching trip to friday harbour, leaving early on saturday morning from. For both wildlife lovers and outdoor fanatics, whale watching is a great way to explore the great outdoors in the pacific northwest. Prince of whales adventures bcs best whale watching. Private charters with san juan excursions, whale watching.
They typically spend four to seven months of the year in the salish sea. The marine life in the waters of bc is abundant and diverse, but there is no greater creature than the mighty whale. Because of its prime location on the puget sound, whale watchers dont need to rely solely on boat tours for sightings. San juan island is accessed via the wa state ferry that departs from anacortes, wa just 90 miles north of san juan island. Get a group together and join us on a private boat charter in the san juan islands. Whale watching tours from san juan island in seattle. Tour leaders have resources that help them know where the whales are hanging out each day, but that doesnt mean its the only way to go whale watching. 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. The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see orca whales in the wild. Joining a whale watching tour makes spotting whales of all sorts much more likely. Can anyone recommend a whale watching tour company. Seattle whale watching tours maydecember port townsend 4hour whale watching tour mayoctober port townsend san juan island whale watching tour mayseptember port townsend to san juan island passenger ferry. Whale watching tours from anacortes the san juan islands provide one of the best opportunities for whale watching washington has to provide, offering protected waters and a huge variety of wildlife, which include our three pods of resident orca whales.
Juneau is the best spot for whale watching in alaska. Looking for a company with great customer service, vast experience in the field and a strong safety record. Here are five top rated whale watching tours that are hard to beat. Whale watching adventures in anacortes, washiington. San juan island is where the southern resident killer whales live about six months out of the year, from midapril to october. Seattle whale watching tours the seattle metros only halfday whale watching tour. Founded in 1980, this nonprofit organization conducts noninvasive whale research to protect our oceans and address threats to whales and other marine life.
Our 34 hour classic whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. We tasted highlights from a few hidden gems i wouldnt have found on my own ellis w. Morning tours and those on covered vessels are usually the calmest. British columbia is home to dozens of whale species, 23 to be exact, according to the vancouver aquarium. Along with the acrobatic orcas, we watch whales of several other species on our san juan islands kayak tours. Washington states best whale watching value and best spot north of seattle to see gray whales in the wild. Best time for whale watching in seattle near lynwood.
Guests must book their ferry trip aboard the victoria clipper separately from their whale watching tour. Orca whales usually pass through the islands in greatest numbers between midmay and midoctober when the salmon runs are. Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is. 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. Best time to whale watch in seattle seattle forum tripadvisor. Enjoy the experience of a lifetime with seattle s only halfday, guaranteed whale watching tour. Seattle whale watching san juan safaris san juan island. 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. We took the aerial tour of seattle on nov, 5th with two friends and while i wish the tour were longer, cause riding in a sea plane is awesome. The beach is a popular spot for seals and their pups to rest, making it a draw for orcas as well. Whale watching seattle or victoria eagle wing tours. Our tours feature small groups, allinclusive days, and tripadvisor hall of fame guides. On occassions orcas are spotted right off elliott bay.
To experience top rated whale watching and support efforts to save whales from extinction, we highly recommend pacific whale foundation. Take an upbeat, 90minute city tour with qwik tours as they parade you around seattle for a lesson in history, humor, music and more. One of the most exciting wildlifespotting excursions travelers can go on is a whale watching tour. With some research and planning, you can go whale watching in sea ttle and other puget sound cities on your own. Sea quest kayak tours and whale watching trips 41,438 views.
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