Sail through breathtaking deception pass, and travel through the protected waters of the salish sea, while trained naturalists educate passengers about the remarkable ecosystem and its wildlife with a focus on whale and sealife conservation. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity cf. Seattle has already picked up 70% of its annual precipitation since october, and there is another month remaining in the rainy season. Anyone can do that by downloading the whale report app on a. The whaleplanner february a whale watching infographic. 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. San juan island whale watching day trip from seattle, wa. 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. In seattle, you can see whales yearround, but summer, by far, is the best season to see the largest and most diverse numbers of whales. Things to know puget sound express familyrun whale.
In recent years, march may and october november, have had similar sighting success. Jun 09, 2016 the waters just north of seattle are home to some of the largest collection of whales anywhere in the world. Save 10% whale watching and sea kayaking combo package. My dates are flexible but i would prefer to go in april. Its not uncommon for several of the giants to be cruising so close to shore that its possible to snorkel out to see them. 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 marine mammaleating transient orcas. Whale watching from land whale watching is a favorite activity in and around puget sound.
That allows us to cover lots of ground so to speak and show you as many of the whales and other animals that call the san juan islands home as possible. San juan excursions rates and schedules whale watching seattle. We are planning a trip to seattle and vancouver in september and would, of course, love to go whale watching. Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is. Contact seattle orca whale watching we are located at 950 westlake ave n, seattle, wa 98109 phone. Learn about the areas vibrant ecosystem from the on board naturalist and tour a charming island town. Whale watching for one, two, or four at orcas island whale watch up to 59% off. Watching for alaska wildlife on vacation princess cruises.
This special limited season focuses on gray whales that migrate along the west coast, stopping to feed in local waters on their way back to alaska. Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Best time to whale watch in seattle seattle message board. There are never guarantees, of course, but there are many whale. Memorial day through late august we offer whale watching at sunset. Our team of highly qualified crew set us apart from the competition. Available march through october, this fullday whale watching tour package includes a scenic 45minute seaplane flight from seattle s lake union to friday harbor marina on san juan island. As i understand it, whale watching boats out of seattle still have to travel north 60 miles or so to see any orcas, so departing from seattle doesnt really help. The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see orca whales in the wild. San juan island is considered the best place to view orca whales because of the large salmon population, which is their primary food source. Island adventures holds the industrys highest success rate and was the first company to guarantee whale sightings on every tour. Just select the combo option on our reservations page.
Washington states best whale watching value and best spot north of seattle to see gray whales in the wild. While we have wonderful boat tours that give you a great perspective, sometimes the whales schedule doesnt exactly match tour schedules. Is whale watching possible minus the expensive tours. The gray whale season will have ended, but there should be opportunities to see orcas, minkes and perhaps humpbacks. Killer orca whale watching seattle to san juan islands. Seattle new technology could help ships and ferries navigate around whales in washington, reducing the chances of a deadly ship strike. Knute berger charts the rise and fall of the whale that would come to define our relationship with orcas. Best whale watching in seattle tour recs, best seasons kirkland. Fly from vancouvers harbour right to the whale watching boat in victoria and have a whale watching adventure of a lifetime.
We boast more than 100 years of combined experience in the islands and have led excursions for hundreds of thousands of satisfied guests over 24. The waters just north of seattle are home to some of the largest collection of whales anywhere in the world. And to think this rainy season began with a dry streak. Learn more about our sea kayaking tours prices and times subject to change. So i, along with a few other visit seattle staff members, made my way about 20 minutes north to the port of edmonds for a morning excursion. The best places to swim with whale sharks lonely planet. Generally speaking, you can spot orcas, gray whales, and humpback whales all year. Whale watching just 90 miles from seattle in friday harbor on san juan island. Taylor, who signed with the seahawks as a free agent in the offseason, was released prior to the start of the season, then resigned after seattle s week 1 win over cincinnati, and he had been. San juan island is where the southern resident killer whales live about six months out of the year, from midapril to october. See orcas, humpback whales, and all the majestic wildlife in. Wildlife of the san juan islands whale watching seattle. San juan safaris is pleased to offer military personnel, active or retired, and.
Considered the premier location to view wild orca killer whales, the waters around san juan island are ideal for whale watching. I have it narrowed down to either the victoria clipper san juan islands day trip from seattle we wont have a car and this one leaves from downtown seattle instead of having to get to a far. Touching them can transmit harmful diseases, while feeding them could make them sick or. 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. Enjoy the norwegian and icelandic winter and combine whale watching orcas, humpbacks and fin whales. Seattle whale watching tours the seattle metros only halfday whale watching tour.
This week, washington state ferries will be the first to. If you wish to see the pnw, id suggest playing on either sj or orcas islands, with my personal preference, sj. Seattle had its first sunny day in 80 days and residents. The smithsonian magazine names port angeles, washington as one of the countrys top whale watching destinations. Whale watching in seattle orca whale watching and gray. With 3 generations of family dedication and experience, we guarantee youll see whales or your next trip is free.
The whale wins brunch at home is the perfect way to start your sunday celebration on may 10th. Join us on the new and fast, 55ft vessel sea lion for a naturalist. This deal cannot be combined with promotion codes or other discounts and is valid on whale watching tours only. Whaling in canada encompasses both aboriginal and commercial whaling, and has existed on all three canadian oceans, atlantic, pacific, and arctic. San juan islands whale watching from friday harbor low season. Whale watching seattle or victoria eagle wing tours. There are a number of places along the coast to catch a glimpse of whales from shore, and local tour options span guided kayak and boat trips off the san juan. Timing depends on which types of whales you want to see and the operating seasons of the whale watching tours. San juan excursions whale watching seattle seattle.
Best time to whale watch in seattle seattle forum tripadvisor. Gray whale watching near seattle, washington island adventures. Namu, the first live, captive orca was displayed on the seattle waterfront in 1965. Flights leave seattle in the morning and return in the early evening, and vary slightly depending on the time of the year. Looking for a whale watching or marine wildlife tour from seattle in washington state.
Thousands of humpbacks gather in the warm waters to mate and give birth. And thats typically when we go to enjoy the islands. The metro area now has its firstever, halfday whale watching tour. Several other operators offer outings during whale season, january. For those of you who love birds, the san juan islands are a birders paradise. The greatest whale watching value in the state just 30 minutes from seattle. February is also a good time to see the big whales around the baja california, mexico. Our guides and naturalists work to create educational, fun, and engaging tours that provide our guests with memories to last a lifetime. We also regularly encounter beautiful humpback whales through november and minke whales in the area.
Start your whale watching year with ease why not visit hawaii. Mar 29, 2010 grey whales seen outside the locks in seattle 32810. The indigenous peoples of the pacific northwest coast have whaling traditions dating back millennia, and the hunting of cetaceans continues by inuit mostly beluga and narwhal, but also the subsistence hunting of the bowhead whale. The public can download the whalereport app and report sightings to. Id prefer to see orcas and i heard they might be around that area in april. Jun 14, 2017 in seattle, you can see whales yearround, but summer, by far, is the best season to see the largest and most diverse numbers of whales. Available march through october, this fullday whale watching tour package includes a scenic 45minute seaplane flight from seattles lake union to friday harbor marina on san juan island. When you join san juan safaris on a whale watching tour, youll have a great chance to observe orca whales in their natural environment. Help washington state ferries track whales in puget sound with.
Id like to go to seattle for several reasons but my main reason would be to whale watch. In the high season for whale watching, they usually do well. In the coming months youll have the opportunity to. Gila river rafting, birding, and eco tour for one, two, or four at pacific nw float trips up to 47% off. 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. West seattle blog the whale trails first orca talk of the. Save 10% by reserving your whale watch wildlife cruise and sea kayak tour at the same time.
Wild animals can be unpredictable, and lets face it, youre no match for a multiton mammal. One year of whale watching in just one infographic. When the calm waters of alaskas inside passage are first broken by a large, dark humpback as it rises and breaches from the sea, viewers on the open deck of an alaskan whale watching ship cant help but gasp at the thrill. See orcas, humpback whales, gray whales, and a broad array of wildlife in the san juan. 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. Guaranteed whale watching tours puget sound express. Whale watching from land whidbey and camano islands.
Whale watching with puget sound express visit seattle. Last year the closest operator left from edmonds and did offer hotel pick up in seattle. But when is the best time for whale watching in seattle. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. Not only can swimming be bad for the whales you never want them to modify their natural behavior because of your presence you risk getting hurt yourself. At western prince whale watching, our passion is sharing the natural beauty, whales, and diverse wildlife of the salish sea.
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. The wildlife in the san juan islands is quite diverse. The best time to go whale watching is during the winter months of december through february and in the spring months of march through may. Seahawks activate te ed dickson, waive cb jamar taylor. During peak season orcas are encountered on 90% or more of tours. During this peak season our sighting success rate is at 95.
Going whalewatching in september the seattle times. While resident and transient orca can be found in puget sound almost any time of the year, march and april features the addition of gray whales, and. Our 34 hour adventure whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. Get up close with the orca whales off the san juan islands near seattle on this 4hour whale watching cruise. Providing high quality tours for over 30 years, we are the longest operating whale watch company in the san juan islands 90 miles north of seattle, and with that experience, we make every one of our tours a unique adventure. Whale watching near seattle western prince whale watching. Vessels that transport passengers on a whale watch excursion are allowed to approach as close as 100 yards to a humpback whale a distance that hardly requires. 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. May 04, 2017 an insiders guide to seattle gray whale watching 12. Is it possible along any of the island shorelines or onp coastline, etc. See orcas, humpback whales, minkes, and all the majestic wildlife in the san juan islands departing just 15 minutes north of downtown seattle. When is the best time for port angeles whale watching.
San juan excursions whale watching seattle seattle washington. Although the local tv folks go gaga when orcas are sighted in elliot bay, they the orcas, not the tv crews do not normally live near seattle. A study prepared for international fund for animal welfare in 2009 estimated that million people went whale watching globally in 2008. Jun, 2018 that said, when i was asked to participate in a whale watching tour with puget sound express, i couldnt refuse.
Updated february 12, 2020 tours depart oak harbor and langley. We are excited that you chose us and look forward to taking you out on an amazing wildlife adventure. San juan islands are northwest of seattle and are one of the best areas in the country to see orca whales in the wild. This is the first of the 201617 orca talk series hosted by the whale trail in west seattle, with help from seal sitters.
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. Our coast guard inspected vessels travel farther and faster than other tours, allowing you the best chance to see whales. We will be in seattle and all around the area next week. Seattles complicated history with orcas season 2018.
Following is some helpful information that will get you here and oriented before boarding the boat and heading out. For diving in more remote locales, take a trip on a liveaboard boat. Seattle whale watching deals in seattle, wa groupon. While resident and transient orca can be found in puget sound almost any time of the year, march and april features the addition of gray whales, and boat tours are one of the best ways to see the whales. 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. While we do not guarantee whale sightings on our tours, 20 years of sightings data shows that we do have a 90% chance of seeing whales during the peak months of june september.
I would like to book a whale watching tour and we will be in seattle for 2. At this time of year in the pacific northwest the sun does not set until approximately 9. Seattle is the best city in the nation to see whales. Join us to celebrate the seasonal return of the orcas to local waters, and. Generally, summer months will offer more opportunities to see orcas from more whale watching companies whale watching tours do not at this point, leave from downtown seattle. The best whale watching in seattle adams moving service. Enjoy the experience of a lifetime with seattles only halfday, guaranteed whale watching tour. 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. 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. This discreet bay, tucked neatly at the western end of the gulf of tadjoura, is one of the most dependable places in the world to swim with whale sharks. Seattle new technology could help ships and ferries navigate around. San juan islands whale watching from friday harbor low.
Each kit feeds two and is easy to prepare as you enjoy your morning coffee and begin your day. Whale watch tours in the san juan islands island adventures. Does anyone know if this is a good time to whale watch. A locals guide to whale watching in the san juan islands. From all of us and the hanke family, welcome to puget sound express.
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