Two ecotypes are commonly found in the salish sea the critically endangered southern residents j, k, and l pods and transient, or biggs, orcas. A locals guide to whale watching in the san juan islands. Sea quest kayak tours and whale watching trips 38,570 views. San juan excursions gives 5% or more of its profits to conservation efforts and charitable organizations. The best time to see killer whales in the san juan islands. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. Orcas island eclipse charters whale and wildlife tours. Aug 20, 2015 killer whale kayaking tours san juan islands kayak with orcas. 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. Look for orcas in the open waters and learn about the history of the nearby lighthouse at lime kiln point state park. There is no central source for the public to find out exactly when. Friday harbor, a historic seaport, rises from the ferry landing and public marina where it is an easy stroll to th. Western prince whale watching is located in scenic friday harbor on san juan island, just 90 miles north of seattle.
Friday harbor, wa united states whale cove san juan. Whale watching san juan island western prince whale watching. All of our vessels hold a higher safety rating than the wa state ferries. Race info san juan island halfsan juan island half. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and many other underrated species. Whale watching in the san juan islands whale watching. San juan island is the seasonal home to three pods of orca whales, and whale watching is among the islands most popular activities. In addition to hosting the worlds only whale museum the san juan islands are also home to washington states hidden treasure. Welcome to the whale report blog san juan safaris san. The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see orca whales in the wild. Tucked into a hillside that looks out to the gorgeous waters, the home is beautiful inside and out.
The island has distinct personality and is the second biggest island in the san juans county. Meet us at our launch site at snug harbor or use our complimentary shuttle from the ferry in friday harbor. 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 excursions whale watching tours and wildlife cruises. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just around the corner. See orcas in the wild on a small group whale watching tour with mayas legacy whale watching at friday harbor, san juan island, 90 miles north of seattle. Friday harbor whale watching san juan island near seattle. San juan island is in the middle of the southern resident orcas federally designated critical habitat and summer feeding and socializing grounds. Along the way youll get some amazing view of the other islands, the olympic mountains, and of course, the salish sea.
San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching whale. The best place in the world to see orca aka killer whales, and more. Pebbled beaches, stunning sunsets and deep green forests the san juan islands are inspiration for the senses. Aug 27, 2011 footage of my trip whale, and wildlife, watching in the san juan islands of washington state on july 17, 2011. We have a trained naturalist on board and are waiting to share the adventure with you. San juan county real estate market summary the first quarter results for san juan county maintained the momentum that was present during the last quarter of 2019. When you arrive we have two office locations in friday harbor where you are welcome to drop in anytime. Agriculture has always been integral to the san juan islands, and on lopez visitors can feast upon that heritage with farmtotable dining at local eateries. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just around. Whale watch park, one of the best places in the world for trying your luck at shorebased whale watching.
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. The guest house is beautifully and tastefully furnished. Humpback whale san juan island national historical park u. Whale watching san juan islands, popular tourist attractions. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching. Experience unforgettable whale watching in the san juan islands. Learn about the areas vibrant ecosystem from the on board naturalist and tour a charming island town. 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. At island adventures, our boats are part of the family and it shows.
Magnificent orca or killer whales can be seen in the salish sea around the san juan islands year round. The trip up to friday harbor is beautiful, and we saw seals and even a bald eagles nest. The salmoneating southern resident killer whales srkw primarily feed on a diet that is more than 85% chinookspeciessalmon. 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. The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see beautiful blackandwhite orca whales in the wild. 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. The most wonderful ways to whale watch in the san juan islands. Or go straight to the source, visiting working farms, a vineyard or the farmers market. The park faces the islands west side waters where the whales spend time feeding and socializing during summer. The center for whale research is dedicated to censusing, identifying and conserving the southern resident killer. Baleen whales of the san juan islands humpback whale, gray whale, and minke whale. Just hop on an inter island ferry to friday harbor.
Orcas island is fit for experienced cyclists due to narrow, hilly, winding roads, and an absence of shoulders for the most part. Lopez island san juan safaris san juan island whale. Theres nothing i love better than taking a ferry up through the islands. There is nothing quite as spectacular as the sight of a pod of orca whales along the protected coastlines of the san juan islands. 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.
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. The san juan islands are worldrenowned for orca research and whale watching and there are two different types of orcas. If whale watching from a boat isnt up your alley, you can try your luck at shorebased whale watching at whale watch park lime kiln point state park on the west side of san juan island, or. Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington. Peak season is from mayseptember, but that shouldnt stop you from visiting during the offpeak months. Guaranteed whale watching tours from anacortes the worlds best opportunity to see wild orcas is right here in the san juan islands, february through november. Travel through beautiful countryside on your way to the anacortes ferry terminal to board a ferry to san juan island. An amazing evening whale watching and spotting transient whales on the san juan islands with san juan island whale and wildlife tours. The most wonderful ways to whale watch in the san juan. To help make the most of your time on san juan island, we have produced a helpful map with information about our whale watch tours as well as points of interest around friday harbor and san juan island. Weaning occurs between 6 and 10 months after birth. We will be driving to anacortes and would like to do a whale watching tour. In addition to houses in san juan island, there were also 6 condos, 1 townhouse, and 1 multifamily unit for sale in san juan island last month. In the past month, 11 homes have been sold in san juan island.
All of the work leading to orca identification culminated in the now wellknown center for whale research, based on the west side of san juan island. Download the watching whales in the san juan islands brochure. Mayas legacy whale watching friday harbor, san juan island. Find driving directions from seattle, bellingham and port townsendwhidbey island, plus alternate transportation options, including via seaplane from seattle. San juan islands whale watching from friday harbor low season. 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. Be whale wise san juan islands washington visitors bureau. Print a map san juan safaris san juan island whale watching. Orcas island whale watching with outer island expeditions. May 04, 2017 a locals guide to whale watching in the san juan islands. Picture the san juan islands as natures theme park as your family hikes, bikes, boats, and kayaks, on san juan and orcas, two of the larger islands of this spectacular 100millionyearold archipelago. Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles.
Explore historic lime kiln state park by foot and bike, making sure to keep an eye out on the coastline for the telltale blow of a whale. The san juan safaris whale report brings trip reports from the salish sea. How to get to friday harbor, washington on san juan island. Resident whales san juan safaris san juan island whale.
San juan routes are challenging but the views, history and wideopen space make it worth the work. Humpback whale singing has been studied for decades, but scientists still understand very little about its function. Owner operated, 15 years of experience performing whale watch tours in the san juan islands. 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. Enjoy an orca whale aka killer whales nature tour on orcas islands all weather family style boat and renew your spirit with nature.
We came from the summer heat of texas to escape and explore the san juan island in the great pacific nw. San juan provisions provides food service on board the ferries and inside the anacortes passenger terminal. San juan islands lime kiln point state park is a prime whale watching site with knowledgeable interpreters often on site politically, the san juan islands comprise, by definition, san juan county, washington. There are a great variety of whales travelling the waters here in the. Best location in the san juan islands for whale watch departures. The salish sea is home to many marine mammals, but most known as the home of the southern resident community of orcas or killer whales srkws. You may catch them passing by from some of the coastal locations on the whale. Anacortes is our flagship location where island adventures first began back in 1996. Whale watching is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and appreciate killer whales and the other marine wildlife in this region.
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. Drive your own car, a rental, or take a shuttle to the washington state ferry terminal in anacortes, wa. Footage of my trip whale, and wildlife, watching in the san juan islands of washington state on july 17, 2011. Newborns are to 16 ft 4 to 5 m long and grow quickly from the highly nutritious milk of their mothers. 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. All of the vessels on these routes do have elevator access. Our first whale watching tour from friday harbor is scheduled for saturday, march 4th and we cant wait to get back on the water. Visit the san juan islands in northwest washington state. The san juan islands lavender festival, concerts on the village green on orcas island, doe bay fest, and more. From what i have read, it takes a while to get to san juan, and we were considering doing a whale watching tour. Until then, we are working through the project list and getting everything ready to go. 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. This is one of the most asked questions that we get.
Get up close with the killer whales off orcas island, the largest of the san juan islands near seattle, on this guided, 3. This includes state parks, the san juan island national historical park, land bank. 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. Humpback whale san juan island national historical park. Our cruises offer a gaurantee that if you do not see whales on you cruise you can come again free of charge. The max speed i can go is 50mph so ive been looking into options other than i5. 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. These recordings were made by alex from netherlands on july 23, 2010 all people aboard the ship felt. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island adventures. It starts at south beach inside san juan island national historic park and finishes at jackson beach, just south of friday harbor. San juan island is the seasonal home to three pods of orca whales, and whale watching is among the island s most popular activities. Waterfront concerts, a lavender festival, family art days and lots of music will keep you singing all summer. Answers to your san juan island whale watching tour questions.
The most common way to get to friday harbor on san juan island. Low guidetoclient ratio means your naturalist and captain are on deck with you in person. We enjoyed a memorable 3 day trip to san juan island which included biking. I wanted to make a trip to the san juans with my moped and im trying to figure out my route from seattle to anacortes. Best orca watching vessels in the san juan islands island. The whale watch point guest house is a slice of heaven watch and listen to the orcas meander by, enjoy one of the best views from land of the lime kiln lighthouse, and sit back and relax gazing out to the wide open haro strait. Baleen whales completely lack teeth and filter small prey such as plankton, worms, and.
World class whale watching, scenery, restaurants and more. Whale watching tours and wildlife cruises with san juan excursions from friday harbor on san juan island in washington state. Whale watching in the san juan islands whale watching kayak. More than 500,000 people annually go whale watching in the waters of washington and british columbia around the san juan islands. Plan your trip san juan safaris san juan island whale. San juan safaris sees more whales than anyone departing from friday harbor near seattle. Whale watching in the san juan islands the mandagies. San juan outfitters is known for its low guide to guest ratio kayak tours. Whale watching in the san juan islands postcards to seattle. Today, the san juan islands are an important tourist destination, with sea kayaking and orca whale watching by boat or air tours two of the primary attractions. We are planning a day trip from seattle midweek in august. Of all the activities to enjoy here in the san juan islands, whale watching is one of the most spectacular. Find your dream home in san juan island using the tools above. When is the best whale watching season in seattle, washington.
The course for the san juan island half is unique and is easily the most scenic orca running race. Whales follow the salmon runs, so although whale sightings are never. Sea kayak tours from san juan island san juan excursions. San juan chamber san juan island chamber of commerce. Consider following the whale trail, a collection of whale focused recommendations for visitors to the san juan islands. Friday harbor, san juan island is the most underrated destination in the pacific northwest. 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 marin. Download our whale watching wildlife cruises, friday harbor, san juan island, washington brochure, download and print our full color brochure. Be whale wise informs you on the local laws pertaining to marine mammals, as well as provides additional guidelines that will make you a safer boater and a steward of our natural resources. That includes the whale tours by kayak, day kayak tours and overnight kayakcamping tours. The island explorer boats are not only the best designed whale watch boats in the area, they are the best maintained. San juan island is home to lime kiln point state park a.
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