Our guides and naturalists work to create educational, fun, and engaging tours that provide our guests with memories to last a lifetime. Whales news and scientific articles on live science. Southern resident orca numbers are the lowest theyve been in more than three decades. 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. The graywhale season will have ended, but there should be opportunities to see orcas, minkes and perhaps humpbacks. 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. Over the summer there are also humpbacks, minke, fin, sperm, and even blue whales off the east and west coasts. Try whale watching from the shore at alki beach in west seattle, just a short drive or water taxi trip away from downtown. A humpback whale is in view from lowman beach, north of the north end of blake island across the sound.
There is something so magical about seeing a whale in the wild. 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. Take your best shot at kayaking with killer whales near seattle, wa. Theres an option for a ferry to vancouver, then an. Seattle to victoria day trip with whale watching clipper. Guaranteed whale watching tours puget sound express. With a donation or an adoption of a whale you can help to make the world a place where whales and dolphins are free and safe.
The best time of year to view orca whales is in may through september. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. The two naturalists on board were great knowledgeable, informative, and responsive they even customized a talk. In august 2019, the governors office hired a consultant team to engage stakeholders in further analysis of the economic, social and environmental impacts of. Sometimes monthly sightings can vary greatly between years whilst others can be very similar and september 2019 is one of those months. Along the oregon coast, you can see resident gray whales in summer too. 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. A number of charter boat companies run whale watching cruises and you can find such charters operating out of seattle and from various other ports around puget sound. Washington states best whale watching value and best spot north of seattle to see gray whales in the wild. We are planning a trip to seattle and vancouver in september and would, of course, love to go whalewatching. 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. Our 34 hour adventure whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. Head to edmonds, 20 minutes north of downtown seattle, to see whales in the wild.
Id prefer to see orcas and i heard they might be around that area in april. In recent years, march may and october november, have had similar sighting success. Daylong whale watching tours from seattle, around whidbey island, to the iconic san juan islands. Whale watching in seattle orca whale watching and gray. We had beautiful looks at double drop before carrying on in search of other wildlife. The metro area now has its firstever, halfday whale watching tour. The beach is a popular spot for seals and their pups to rest, making it a draw for orcas as well. Whale watching trip from downtown seattle in september. At western prince whale watching, our passion is sharing the natural beauty, whales, and diverse wildlife of the salish sea.
As with all orca running events, it benefits a local nonprofit. Gray whale watching near seattle, washington island adventures. Three generations of our family have helped visitors have lifechanging. Southern resident orca whale recovery governor jay inslee. The whaleplanner september a whale watching infographic. A seattle newspaper held a naming contest in 2000, resulting in l98 being given the. Unfortunately the clipper doesnt offer daily service that late in september. But for more intimate, uninterrupted sightings, watchers may want to hop onboard the seattle orca whale watching tour. Each spring, majestic gray whales migrate from the southern waters north to alaska. These south seattle music students moved online effortlessly and theyre asking for more.
Orcas if you grew up hearing about shamu in sea world, then you have a. The odysseys multi level wrap around viewing decks provide space, open air, comfort, and lots of warm sunshine. Maybe its the fact that we feel so small next to them blue whales can weigh an astounding 300,000 pounds or that for most of us, whales arent animals that we get the chance to see every day. Port townsend seattleedmonds whidbey island tour details. In fact, we could just copy and paste what we wrote but we won. See orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, gray whales and all the majestic wildlife in the salish sea on our. Find out everything there is to know about whales and stay updated on the latest whale news with the comprehensive articles, interactive features and whale pictures at live science. Joining a whale watching tour makes spotting whales of all sorts much more likely. 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. Whether youre spotting one from the deck of a whalewatching cruise or from the shores of a national park.
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. Whale watching boats still disturbing endangered killer. Get up close with the orca whales off the san juan islands near seattle on this 4hour whalewatching cruise. Travel inspired cuisine by way of the northwest, the whale wins roasts the very best from local beaches, gardens and farms in its rustic wood fired oven and serves it to share on plates large and small in a light filled, converted warehouse space. Does eating less chinook salmon help endangered orca whales. Apple app store download icon download from app store. The best whale watching in seattle adams moving service. We are looking for a whale watching trip on september 23. Its also considered the best place to view orca whales. Kayak whale watching in the san juan islands, seattle. My dates are flexible but i would prefer to go in april. View orca whales in their natural habitat on the new 55.
They are often called the galapagos of california because of their. More about kayak whalewatching in the san juan islands. If youre looking for humpback whales then we suggest september through january. Best places for whale watching when to go whale watching. We cruised south and visited with some harbor seals and steller sea lions before getting the call of a humpback whale. Downloadprint a pocket guide for responsible marine wildlife viewing. The gray whale will visit on occasion throughout the year, with sightings reaching their peak during march and april when the whales migrate north from mexico to alaska to feed.
The worlds 8 best destinations for whale watching and. Click here to download all 12 months of killer whale watching data and be sure to. 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. As industry leaders, we are key members of a proprietary sightings. The minke whale, gray whale, humpback whale, dalls porpoise, and harbor porpoise are the five most frequently seen after the killer whale. Along with the acrobatic orcas, we watch whales of several other species on our san juan islands kayak tours. Seattle whale watching tours 2019 clipper vacations. Does anyone know if this is a good time to whale watch.
Our 34 hour classic whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. The greatest whale watching value in the state just 30 minutes from seattle. Whale watching near seattle western prince whale watching. San juan island is considered the best place to view orca whales because of the large salmon population, which is. Enjoy the experience of a lifetime with seattles only halfday, guaranteed whale watching tour. We have listed below several whale watching boats and charter operators operating out. San juan islands are northwest of seattle and are one of the best areas in the country to see orca whales in the wild. A young resident killer whale chases a chinook salmon in the salish sea near san juan island, washington, in september 2017. For more accessible wildlife encounters, head to vancouver island in march and april to see the gray whale migration, or from may through september when the orca are at their most plentiful. It was a gorgeous day aboard the western prince ii. 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. 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. Id like to go to seattle for several reasons but my main reason would be to whale watch. Its pricier than some of the other excursions on this list, but thats because the whale watchers.
Flights leave seattle in the morning and return in the early evening, and vary slightly depending on the time of the year. 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. Theres an option for a ferry to vancouver, then an excursion from vancouver and back, and ferry back to seattle. For the best whalewatching in seattle, enjoy the beauty of san juan island on a whalewatching cruise from friday harbor, a quaint town on the island. San juan excursions whale watching seattle 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. Here is another wellknown humpback in the salish sea, and clues to help you identify her nicknames. On the central coast, channel islands national park is considered one of the best whale watching spots in the world. Best time for whale watching in seattle near lynwood. Kayak whale watching in the san juan islands, seattle, washington. See orcas, humpback whales, and all the majestic wildlife in. Enjoy the experience of a lifetime with seattle s only halfday, guaranteed whale watching tour.
Considered one of seattles best day tours, the whale plane package includes round trip air on a kenmore air seaplane from downtown lake union, seattle to friday harbor for a san juan safaris whale watching and wildlife tour by boat. Orcas are in the area again today headed southbound off fauntleroy a short time ago per kersti muul and now in view off the arroyos per a. Southern resident orcas are commonly seen in the san juan and gulf islands may through september. Reading back on september 2018s sightings report, our sightings for this past month are eerily similar. While the emerald city may seem a little too busy with ferries for the large mammals to swim freely, theyre occasionally spotted along west seattle and in elliott bay. The best time for whale watching in seattle and nearby areas is all year round, however depending on when you come. With some research and planning, you can go whale watching in sea ttle and other puget sound cities on your own. Here are five whale breeds you can spot on a whalewatching tour. See whales and local sealife in the wild, learn from an expert naturalist plus visit beautiful friday harbor in. Going whalewatching in september the seattle times. Monterey bay is also renowned for its whale watching.
For northern california whale watching, consider the farallon islands off the coast of san francisco. Luna september 19, 1999 march 10, 2006 also known as l98 or tsuxiit, was a killer whale. An insiders guide to seattle gray whale watching 12. Orca whales usually pass through the islands in greatest numbers between midmay and midoctober when the salmon runs are strongest, although its possible to spot them through the rest of the year. Killer orca whale watching seattle to san juan islands. 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. San juan safaris is pleased to offer military personnel, active or retired, and their family members a 10% discount on all of our tours. For both wildlife lovers and outdoor fanatics, whale watching is a great way to explore the great outdoors in the pacific northwest. Whale watching is most popular april through september and usually focuses on the area around the san juan islands. San juan island is where the southern resident killer whales live about six months out of the year, from midapril to october. The whaleplanner january a whale watching infographic. Sea quest kayak tours explore the premiere orca whale waters in the san juan islands.