A locals guide to whale watching in the san juan islands. Make sure and bring your camera, we never know what we are going to see. 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. Meaning you can walk on interisland ferries from where you are staying and not need a car to explore san juan island, saving you transportation money. San juan island is home to lime kiln point state park a. On the san juan islands, whale watching season lasts from spring to fall.
San juan islands whales seen on every whale watching tour so far this season. The tour san juan island the tour land based tour of san. Whale watching in the san juan islands the mandagies. Whale watching in seattle, wa and san juan islands. San juan islands marine area 7 washington department. Island adventures webcam is overlooking south rosario strait, gazing west toward the san juan islands from fidalgo island anacortes. Winter resident salmon fishing is a unique opportunity to catch salmon in the offseason and typically runs from january through april. Whale watching in the san juan islands whale watching kayak. Aug 02, 2016 why washingtons orcas island should be your next family getaway. We offer a variety of garbage collection options including. Orca epurse may be used at wsf locations, except for international travel between anacortes and sidney b. The best time to see killer whales in the san juan islands western. 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.
There was an onboard naturalist aka marine life expert who knew about all the animals who lived in the san juan islands. Whale watching in the san juan islands after a few hours of exploring friday harbor, we got back on the boat to search for whales in the puget sounds. Here, whale watching season spans from march through october, when salmon runs attract orcas, humpbacks, minke, and gray whales to the. Just a 90mile drive from downtown seattle, anacortes is a convenient starting point for your wildlife adventure no ferry required. The southern resident community of killer whales are generally in the waters surrounding san juan island june through september. On several of our recent whale watching and wildlife tours, including our latest allday tour, our passengers and crew have been lucky enough to see a new visitor and hopefully. These killer whales are the most researched marine mammals. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just around the corner. 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. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching.
A day watching for whales and other sea creatures around the san juan islands. The worlds best opportunity to see wild orcas is right here in the san juan islands, february through november. Our 34 hour adventure whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. During this time, it becomes possible to see both resident pods and visiting transient orcas in search of food. Jun 23, 2016 meet the real pacific northwest locals as we journey to the san juan islands and discover seattle whale watching through the eyes of captain jason mihok, clipper captain of over 20 years. San juan safaris is pleased to offer military personnel, active or retired, and. Our goal is to give our guests an enjoyable and exciting tour. The waterways surrounding the san juan islands are considered the best place in the world to observe orcas killer whales in the wild, and the best location in the islands to access those. May 14, 2019 bellingham, blog, general, recent whale sightings, san juan islands, whale watching humpback whale, killer whales, orca whales, san juan cruises, san juan islands, whale watching, whale watching adventure, whales sean berry. The victoria clipper ferry does daytrips to friday harbor and back, searching the sea for whales and other marine life around the san juan.
General fare information washington state department of. A number of charter boat companies run whale watching cruises and you can find such charters at various. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and many other underrated species. Home to a huge state park, several lakes and various harbors and. The three largest islands are geographically unique. We have two different types of orca whales here in the san juan islands, resident and transient. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island. From midapril until the beginning of october theres just no better place to see orca whales than the san juan islands. The tour land based tour of san juan island, orca whale.
For the san juan islands, you might read the following article to help you decide which island as a base. Our first whale watching tour from friday harbor is scheduled for saturday, march 4th and we cant. Of all the islands, orcas island or the gem of the san juan islands is considered to be the most beautiful. I realize its the end of the official orca whale watching season in the san juan island areas, but from all ive read, im not sure why october seems to be the cut.
Our first whale watching tour from friday harbor is scheduled for saturday, march 4th and we cant wait to get back on the water. Jim maya ken balcomb reports the l22s are on the west side of san. For the past 19 years, we have been offering whale watchingwildlife cruises in the san juan islands. Whale watching in the san juan islands whale watching. In the spring, summer, and fall they ply the calm, cold, clear waters of the san. Islands heartbeats sji an unforgettable photographic journey through the natural wonders of san juan island, washington. Why washingtons orcas island should be your next family getaway.
Heather, naturalist, san juan safaris l22s off of south beach, san juan island, headed toward salmon bank. Look for killer whales off orcas island on a halfday whalewatching cruise from eastsound. Best location in the san juan islands for whale watch departures. May 14, 2019 bellingham, blog, general, recent whale sightings, san juan islands. Book an orca whale watching tour from friday harbor, san juan.
Advice on san juan islands and whidbey island needed. Ride aboard a small and speedy vessel as you search for orca, humpback, and gray whales around the san juan islands, along with marine life such as porpoises, seals, otters, and birds that are prevalent in the pacific northwest. The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see beautiful blackandwhite orca whales in the wild. We see them often throughout the year and they have earned the reputation of being our resident transient orcas. The guide to the san juan islands a curated guide to the. Why washingtons orcas island should be your next family. Whereand howto see whales and orcas in the puget sound. Orca whale watching tours reservations san juan outfitters. San juan islands san juan cruises bellingham friday. Orcas being the hilliest the tallest peak is mount constitution at almost exactly a halfmile elevation. We leave from the dock closest to the whales for your. About san juan excursions which offers whale watching tours. Humpback whales, minke whales, and, gray whales also call the region home.
Regular updates and photos from our san juan island whale watching and wildlife tours. Book your orca whale watching tour with mayas legacy whale watching, departing daily from san juan island, just 90 miles from seattle. Our resident population, referred to as the southern resident killer whales are comprised of. The two farthest islands west of anacortes are san juan island and orcas island. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just. Owner operated, 15 years of experience performing whale watch tours in the san juan islands. The san juan islands draws more whale watchers, but the orca whales are seen all along the coast of washington as well as in and around the san juan islands and the puget sound, part of the salish sea. Orcas island fishing charter l anacortes orca whale watching.
The salmoneating southern resident killer whales srkw primarily feed on a diet that is more than 85% chinookspeciessalmon. Hello dbw i havent been to san juan island, but can certainly speak highly for 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. Meet the real pacific northwest locals as we journey to the san juan islands and discover seattle whale watching through the eyes of captain jason mihok, clipper captain of. The interisland ferry is free eastbound, so you might plan accordingly. You may catch them passing by from some of the coastal locations on the whale.
Orca epurse can be used to pay for passenger fares, vehicle fares, surcharges, and multiride products through wave2go. Get up close with the killer whales off orcas island, the largest of the san juan islands near seattle, on this guided, 3. In the spring, summer, and fall they ply the calm, cold, clear waters of the san juan islands, following the schools of pacific salmon that are returning to the rivers where they were born. Outer island excursions offers salmon and bottom fishing charters throughout the san juan islands. Anacortes is our flagship location where island adventures first began back in 1996. I wanted to report a humpback whale that surfaced very near our sailboat in georgia strait when we were passing the outer ballenas island around 1. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just around the corner our first whale watching tour from friday harbor is scheduled for saturday, march 4th and we cant wait to get back on the water. I hadnt heard of the san juan islands until my midtwenties. These waters, located 90 miles inland from the open. Seeing orcas in october san juan island forum tripadvisor. We also offer 3 hour, full day, and multiday sea kayaking tours departing from the westside of san juan island. If you are interested in finding out more about whale watching and what it entails, feel free to contact san juan kayak expeditions.
Our goal is to give our guests an enjoyable and exciting tour, while always practicing the highest level of respect for wildlife and boating safety. This tour is not only cheap, but its a top bucketlist item because it actually lets you kayak with orcas. Feeding almost exclusively on salmon, the favorite being chinook these whales can be seen from april to october in the area along lime kiln on the west side of san juan island due to the salmon run there. 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. Whale watch park, one of the best places in the world for trying your luck at shorebased whale watching. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island adventures. Our vessels are moored in eastsound on orcas island, but if you want to skip the ferry.
We stop at 7 fantastic locations 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. For those who dont have a big boat to make the run into the islands, consider fishing the more protected waters within bellingham bay during the chinook, coho and perhaps pink run starting midaugust through the end of september. San juans island vs orcas fodors travel talk forums. These waters, located 90 miles inland from the open pacific ocean, are considered to be one of the best whale viewing territories in the world.
Until then, we are working through the project list and getting everything ready to go. Whether youre visiting the pacific northwest or are a local if youve ever wanted to go whale watching in the san juan islands, washington, we have a treat for you. These small islands, including san juan island and orcas island, are the orcas home base in the states. Soak in the natural beauty of the pacific northwest aboard the finest whale watching vessel on the entire west coast, the island explorer 5. I think they were transients based on their movement style. Jim maya ken balcomb reports the l22s are on the west side of san juan island. Whale watching in washington state orca whale watching in. Killer orca whale watching seattle to san juan islands. The t65a matriline is one of our favorite family groups of killer whales we encounter on our whale watching tours in the san juan islands.
Feeding almost exclusively on salmon, the favorite being chinook these whales can be seen from april to october in the area along lime kiln on the west side of san juan island due. Orcas island vs san juan island orcas island forum. Since 1966, san juan sanitation has provided refuse and recycling collection services in the san juan islands. Orca whales live, play, and raise their young in the waters of the haro strait near san juan island, washington. Our vessels are moored in eastsound on orcas island, but if you want to skip the ferry ride we can pick you up from lopez island, san juan island, lummi island and the bellingham area. Whale watching tours depart daily from orcas and san juan island allowing an opportunity for viewing the whales in the wild. There was a good amount of things to do, it was laid. We leave from the dock closest to the whales for your best chance to see orcas. Orca whales range through the san juan islands the most. Oct 17, 2016 we saw orcas in the wild on san juan island san juan island in washington state is home to lime kiln state park, the worlds first whale watching park. Ride aboard a small and speedy vessel as you search for orca, humpback, and gray whales around. The park faces the islands west side waters where the whales spend time feeding and socializing during summer. Book an orca whale watching tour from friday harbor, san. Whale watching in washington state orca whale watching.
A southern resident orca from j pod, seen in inland waters for the first time since july 6, on aug. We saw orcas in the wild on san juan island san juan island in washington state is home to lime kiln state park, the worlds first whale watching park. The ultimate san juan islands kayaking and camping guide. United states best whale watching tour, san juan islands my husband and i are visiting the san juan islands in july 2011. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching whale. The san juan islands are worldrenowned for orca research and whale watching and there are two different types of orcas. Two ecotypes are commonly found in the salish sea the critically endangered southern residents j, k, and l pods and transient, or biggs, orcas. Low guidetoclient ratio means your naturalist and captain are on deck with you in person. Tripadvisor orcas island whale watching san juan islands. San juan island the location of the wellknown town, friday harbor is a footfriendly island.
Early season in the san juan islands we have had a great start to our 2017 season over the past two weekends, highlighted by a wintertime visit by some of the southern resident killer whales on saturday the 18 th. The san juan island archipelago consists of a staggering 172 islands, some only visible during extreme low tide look out boaters. The san juan islands draws more whale watchers, but the orca whales are seen all along the coast of washington as well as in and around the san juan islands and the puget sound, part. 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 museum, a must see for before or after a whale watching tour on the island. Paddling along the calm coast lines of the san juan islands makes for a fun. Whale watching in the san juan islands washington includes. An orca leaps out of the water around the san juan islands. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just around. About san juan excursions which offers whale watching. Paddling along the calm coast lines of the san juan islands makes for a fun adventure for singles, couples, groups, and families.
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