Orcas island eclipse charters whale and wildlife tours. Maps to the tower house, the san juan islands and to washington. Anacortes is our flagship location where island adventures first began back in 1996. Weve rounded up five incredible whalewatching spots along the pacific, from alaska to hawaii. Coast guard approved whale watching vessels from san juan island near seattle, wa. Oct 07, 2018 on march 11th, we had a short encounter the t2cs again, this time in san juan channel.
Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just around. We also offer the orca whale adoption program through the whale museum. Coast guard approved whale watching vessels from san juan island near seattle, wa with 3 vessel sizes and 2 departure locations, there is sure to be a vessel that suites your needs. San juan islands whale watching tours orcas, lopez, shaw. There is nothing quite as spectacular as the sight of a pod of orca whales along the protected coastlines of the san juan islands. Dec 04, 2019 3 acres on san juan island, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom all ocean front. March 28, san juan county fairgrounds spring fling adult prom. Whale watch tours in the san juan islands island adventures. Please note that any reservation, for a stay between now and may 4, 2020, for nonessential workers will be canceled. San juan islands whale watching tours are a great way to see all kinds of wildlife. The most common way to get to friday harbor on san juan island. Named as one of the 10 best whale watching destinations in the world, the san juan islands are known around the globe as the place to spot these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
Here, whale watching season spans from march through october, when. When is the best time for port angeles whale watching. 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. Gray whale watching near seattle, washington island adventures. The pages below are information pages, etc weather report kayaking whale watching. Go whale watching or kayaking, adventuring at the beach, or hit the trails for mountain. The salmoneating southern resident killer whales srkw primarily feed on. San juan islands in late march san juan island forum. These transients were the t46s and we all held our breath to see what would happen when the humpback and orcas crossed paths. In february 2008, a white killer whale was photographed 3.
We have a trained naturalist on board and are waiting to share the adventure with you. Whale rocks and long island was the place to be if you were a bald eagle, with about ten raptors present. Until then, we are working through the project list and getting everything ready to go. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching whale. Each spring march, april, may provides one of the best whale watching opportunities. San juan islands whale watching from friday harbor low. The salmoneating southern resident killer whales srkw primarily feed on a diet that is more than 85% chinookspeciessalmon. I have searched earlier threads but could not find any trip reports for san juan islands in march, we plan to be there around march 2025. Local tour companies leave from the three largest islands daily and can also be chartered.
Adventure whale watching in the san juan islands western. Starting this saturday, march 9th we will be heading out into the san juan islands to look for orcas, whales, and the incredible wildlife of the. Whale watching in the san juan islands postcards to seattle. Drive your own car, a rental, or take a shuttle to the washington state ferry terminal in anacortes, wa. 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. 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. San juan 3day explorer tour san juan cruises bellingham. There are a great variety of whales travelling the waters here in the. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and many other underrated species. San juan island is in the middle of the southern resident orcas federally designated critical habitat and summer feeding and socializing grounds. Get the monthly weather forecast for san juan island, wa, including daily highlow, historical averages, to help you plan ahead. Personally, i love their sunset trips without all the whale watch and other boats all around. How to get to friday harbor, washington on san juan island. Led by naturalist guides and captains, climb aboard a blackfish fleet vessel and travel through some of the most picturesque scenery in the pacific northwest searching for orca.
Since march 25, 2020 san juan property management vacation rental homes have been and will remain closed to all nonessential travel through may 4th, 2020 due to the san juan county local health officer order. Point state park on san juan island in early march 2017. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just around the corner. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. San juan islands whale watching from friday harbor low season. Baleen whales completely lack teeth and filter small prey such as. The san juan islands of washington are the best place in the world to view.
There is a reason so many people come from all over the world to the san juan islands north of seattle to catch a glimpse of the worlds top ocean predator. There are many opportunities to spot whales throughout the san juan islands. For more information on things to do in san juan island, download our. Whale watching san juan islands friday harbor whale. Seattle whale watching to the san juan islands duration. Tours store marine naturalists training adopt orcas whale museum history. The best time to see killer whales in the san juan islands. The best time to see killer whales in the san juan islands this is one of the most asked questions that we get. Nestled in the rainshadow between the olympic mountains and vancouver island, san juan island, unlike most of the pacific northwest, enjoys an average of 250 days of sunshine per year. Kayak whale watching in the san juan islands, seattle, washington. Whale report blog whale watching san juan islands san. Port townsend theater is a rose and so is the town so they become either the loudmouth with a strained voice, or the wallflower who misses out on. We didnt find whales, but we did find wind, eagles and steller sea lions.
Aug 27, 2011 footage of my trip whale, and wildlife, watching in the san juan islands of washington state on july 17, 2011. Whale watching in the san juan islands whale watching kayak. Just a 90mile drive from downtown seattle, anacortes is a convenient starting point for your wildlife adventure no ferry required. Your innkeepers will make you a wonderful breakfast this morning and then send you off on your adventure with san juan safaris. History read about the history of the san juan island whale.
San juan outfitters is known for its low guide to guest ratio kayak tours. Springtime is a great time to visit the islands for whale watching, hiking, kayaking and more. Burdin and erich hoyt, filmed an adult male nicknamed iceberg. Ready to plan your san juan islands whale watching adventure direct from seattle. We guarantee whales on every tour marchoctober, and even offer two different orca guarantees. Most premier whale watching vacation home on san juan island. The calm waters near the san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to view wild orcas. Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles. Our first whale watching tour from friday harbor is scheduled for saturday, march 4th and we cant wait to get back on the water. Humpback whales, minke whales, and, gray whales also call the region home. With 3 vessel sizes and 2 departure locations, there is sure to be a vessel that suites your needs.
Specializing in small groups and may even pick you up at tower house. Most premier whale watching vacation home on san juan. No matter where i travel to around the world, nothing compares to the beauty of these small, treefilled islands in the middle of the sparkling blue ocean. I see many of the whale watching sites start their season only in april, but some do operate in march. Whale watching in the san juan islands whale watching. The most wonderful ways to whale watch in the san juan. We then headed far north into georgia strait and acquired j pod. May 04, 2017 a day watching for whales and other sea creatures around the san juan islands. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just.
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. Get up close with the killer whales off orcas island, the largest of the san juan islands near seattle, on this guided, 3. At island adventures, we pride ourselves on being the most experienced and dedicated whale watching company in washington state. San juan safaris offers one of the bestorganized and most professional trips in san juan islands in their new, fast 55foot boat, departing from friday harbor. Best place for whale watching in the san juan islands washington. 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. 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. 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.
Locals answer your faqs about the san juan islands. Our sister company san juan island outfitters offers multiple sea kayaking tours daily, no experience necessary. One of my favorite places to go in the summer is the san juan islands. Something ive always wanted to do is whale watching in the san juan islands. With clipper vacations, whale and other sea life encounters are just a boat ride away from downtown seattle.
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. They summer off san juan island just 90 minutes north of seattle. While cruising the islands look around for wildlife as you listen to your naturalists talk about the ecosystem and the lifecycle. That includes the whale tours by kayak, day kayak tours and overnight kayakcamping tours. Where to go whale watching in the western usa visit the usa. Hiking is just one example of fun things to do in the san juan islands, but in the early months of the year you can also go kayaking, whale and wildlife watching. You can also charter any of the vessels for a private whale watch and wildlife tour or schedule a water taxi to one of the surrounding islands. Best place for whale watching in the san juan islands. Your captain will take you on a guided whale watch cruise through the san juan islands. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching. The best place in the world to see orca aka killer whales, and more.
More than 500,000 people annually go whale watching in the waters of washington and british columbia around the san juan islands. Enjoy an orca whale aka killer whales nature tour on orcas islands all weather family style boat and renew your spirit with nature. 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. Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals. 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 whalewatching and sea life exploration. In business for close to 20 years, outdoor odysseys offers quality, hand crafted 1, 3 and 5 day tours in the premier orca whale habitats off the west side of san juan island. These three orca whale families come to the san juan islands each year may through september in search of their primary food source, the.
In addition to hosting the worlds only whale museum the san juan islands are also home to washington states hidden treasure. San juan outfitters owns the exclusive kayak facilities at roche harbor, san juan island and kayak facilities in friday harbor, san juan island. The smithsonian magazine names port angeles, washington as one of the countrys top whalewatching destinations. Click here to download all 12 months of killer whale watching data and be sure to zoom in to see the details. This encounter can viewed on the center for whale researchs encounters page. From whale watching to horseback riding, kayaking to gallery browsing, there are plenty of fun things to do on lopez, orcas, and san juan islands before summer arrives. Footage of my trip whale, and wildlife, watching in the san juan islands of washington state on july 17, 2011. San juan island is home to the southern resident killer orca whales. 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. Head to washingtons san juan island between may and october to catch sight of orcas playing. A locals guide to whale watching in the san juan islands.
No, to view living whales in the san juans contact a whale watching company. 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. The san juan islands are worldrenowned for orca research and whale watching and there are two different types of orcas. Whale watching tours in the san juan islands, washington. Learn about the areas vibrant ecosystem from the on board naturalist and tour a charming island town. The san juan islands are unique and special, both for. Springtime is a great time to get away to quiet beaches and fresh air, delicious local food, and stunning art. 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. Whale watching is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and appreciate killer whales and the other marine wildlife in this region. Whale watching june 18 july 9 july 9, 2009 uncategorized bellingham, friday harbor, orca whales, san juan islands, victoria, whale watching admin we seem to have hit the peak season for orca whale watching over the past two weeks, with frequent sightings of. Orca 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. There are a great variety of whales travelling the waters here in the san juan islands, both toothed and baleen. Of all the activities to enjoy here in the san juan islands, whale watching is one of the most spectacular.
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