These orcas are feeding on the variety of marine mammals in the region, such as steller sea lions, harbor seals, harbor porpoise, and dalls porpoise. The trip up to friday harbor is beautiful, and we saw seals and even a bald eagles nest. 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. Here are several carfree ways to explore our byway. In february 2008, a white killer whale was photographed 3.
Anacortes is our flagship location where island adventures first began back in 1996. Whale watching san juan islands friday harbor whale. Whale watching in the san juan islands postcards to seattle. The salmoneating southern resident killer whales srkw primarily feed on a diet that is more than 85% chinookspeciessalmon. Welcome to the official travel site san juan islands. Its far more than just a walkthru, and although its. Abounding with natural beauty, endless activities, and beautiful places to explore, san juan island is the perfect place to relax on a day trip or weekend gateway. Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington. 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. Pebbled beaches, stunning sunsets and deep green forests the san juan islands are inspiration for the senses.
In addition to whale watching, theres plenty to do in friday harbor and the rest of the san juan islands, including sea kayaking, hiking, and biking. The monument protects archaeological sites of the coast salish peoples, lighthouses and relics of early european american settlers in the pacific northwest, and biodiversity of the island life in the region. With dramatic rocky coastlines, pebble stoned beaches, and tranquil evergreen islands dotting the horizon, your san juan islands whale watching tour and wildlife cruise with san juan excursions will surely be the highlight of your vacation. Magnificent orca or killer whales can be seen in the salish sea around the san juan islands year round. San juan outfitters is widely considered san juan islands premier sea kayak and whale watch tour company.
Tour the san juan islands scenic byway aboard our local seasonal shuttle bus, by bike, moped, scootcar, taxi or rental car. On san juan island in washington state, a walk along first street in friday harbor will bring you to the whale museum. The victoria clipper ferry does daytrips to friday harbor and back, searching the sea for whales and other marine life around the san juan islands in the afternoon, we got off the boat to explore friday harbor for a few hours. Whale watching in the san juan islands whale watching kayak. They do not socialize or interbreed with the southern residents either. San juan safaris san juan islands 2020 all you need to. 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. For over 20 years, san juan safaris has been offering the highest quality whale watching tours with a focus on our guests experiences and respectful wildlife viewing.
San juan islands whale watching tours are a great way to see all kinds of wildlife. There is nothing quite as spectacular as the sight of a pod of orca whales along the protected coastlines of the san juan islands. Its not always the case that we get to choose which whale sighting we pursue on our daily departures from friday harbor. 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. The best time to see killer whales in the san juan islands this is one of the most asked questions that we get. 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. Whale watching is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and appreciate killer whales and the other marine wildlife in this region.
We are thinking of doing whale watching out of friday harbor. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and many other underrated species. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island adventures. Visit the san juan islands in northwest washington state.
Best location for guests coming from tacoma and the olympic peninsula. The mooring lines of the san juan clipper land on the deck of the whale watching vessel. The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more as voted by you. Be whale wise san juan islands washington visitors. San juan transit runs a seasonal shuttle bus along the san juan island and orcas island byway routes. Look for orcas in the open waters and learn about the history of the nearby lighthouse at lime kiln point state park. San juan routes are challenging but the views, history and wideopen space make it worth the work. The calm waters near the san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to view wild orcas. Just a 90mile drive from downtown seattle, anacortes is a convenient starting point for your wildlife adventure no ferry required. We had an amazing whale watching tour our boat captain and guide were very knowledgeable. April through september see wild whales in their habitat.
San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching. These recordings were made by alex from netherlands on july 23, 2010 all people aboard the ship felt the same when the family group of orkas swim to the. Orcas island, lopez island, shaw island and san juan island can be reached by washington state ferries. National monument located in the salish sea in the state of washington. Join captain hobbes who grew up on the water in england and has been operating whale watch tours and passenger vessels in the san juan islands for 12 years.
In addition to hosting the worlds only whale museum the san juan islands are also home to washington states hidden treasure. Adventure whale watching in the san juan islands western. 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. Peak season is from mayseptember, but that shouldnt stop you from visiting during the offpeak months. The most common way to get to friday harbor on san juan island. Drive your own car, a rental, or take a shuttle to the washington state ferry terminal in anacortes, wa. From midapril until the beginning of october theres just no better place to see orca whales than the san juan islands. Be sure to stop off at pelindaba lavender farm for the sights and aromas. Shuttle buses there are two shuttle buses in friday harbor. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching whale. You may catch them passing by from some of the coastal locations on the whale. Orcas island eclipse charters whale and wildlife tours. San juan island is the seasonal home to three pods of orca whales, and whale watching is among the islands most popular activities.
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. Today, the san juan islands are an important tourist destination, with sea kayaking and orca whalewatching by boat or air tours two of the primary attractions. Local tour companies leave from the three largest islands daily and can also be chartered. Owner operated, 15 years of experience performing whale watch tours in the san juan islands. Whale watching in the san juan islands is one of the most unique and special experiences one can have in the remote areas of washington state. San juan islands whale watching tours orcas, lopez, shaw. More than 500,000 people annually go whale watching in the waters of washington and british columbia around the san juan islands. Today, our museum continues to promote stewardship of whales and the salish sea ecosystem through education and research. Warm summer sun reflects off of downtown skyscrapers as the crew makes final preparations to.
This reputation developed from a commitment to the highest level of guest service, and our 2 exclusive sea kayak and whale watch facilities at roche harbor and friday harbor on san juan island. A locals guide to whale watching in the san juan islands. Baleen whales of the san juan islands sea quest kayak. View our san juan excursions rates and schedules for the san juan islands whale watching tourswildlife excursions and sea kayaking tours 2018 certificate of excellence winner san juan excursions gives 5% or more of its profits to conservation efforts and charitable organizations. Help support the southern resident orcas by making a. San juan island s lime kiln point state park is a prime whalewatching site with knowledgeable interpreters often on site.
Oct 14, 2010 whale watching in the san juan islands. 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 best place in the world to see orca aka killer whales, and more. Whale watching in the san juan islands the mandagies. How to get to friday harbor, washington on san juan island. Footage of my trip whale, and wildlife, watching in the san juan islands of washington state on july 17, 2011. Low guidetoclient ratio means your naturalist and captain are on deck with you in person. Whale watching san juan islands, popular tourist attractions.
The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see beautiful blackandwhite orca whales in the wild. Orcas are undoubtedly one of the most fascinating creatures in the ocean. Since moving to the pacific northwest, ive been hoping for an orca encounter of my own, but thus far had fallen short. Baleen whales of the san juan islands humpback whale, gray whale, and minke whale. The best time to see killer whales in the san juan islands. The flagship tour is 34 hours in length and is the best tour for those traveling with young children, elderly, and large groups. There are a great variety of whales travelling the waters here in the san juan islands, both toothed and baleen.
The whale museum, located in beautiful friday harbor, washington, opened to the public in 1979 as the first museum in the country devoted to a species living in the wild. Get up close with the killer whales off orcas island, the largest of the san juan islands near seattle, on this guided, 3. You may spot these on one of the island s web of hiking trails, many near or along the shore the same terrain that makes for somewhat easy cycling makes. Two ecotypes are commonly found in the salish sea the critically endangered southern residents j, k, and l pods and transient, or biggs, 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, and much more. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. Your information source for the san juan islands since 1997. Whale watching san juan island the best of the san juan. Best location in the san juan islands for whale watch departures. The island has distinct personality and is the second biggest island in the san juans county. Whale watching from san juan island in the orca whalerich waters.
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