I am not a big fan of whale watching cruises, but it for most people it is about seeing and hearing orcas in the wild not a photograph. The first park in the world dedicated to whale watching was created here. Be whale wise san juan islands washington visitors. Random facts about the san juan islands mikes road trip. The orca whale, orcinus orca a familiar sight around san juan island in the summer months, mostly from may through october. Whale friendly wildlife watching here are some guidelines to help you watch marine wildlife responsibly. The leaders of the whale sanctuary project say a cordonedoff bay or cove somewhere in the san juan islands could be the ideal home for orcas retired from theme parks. 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. The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see. Lopez island san juan safaris san juan island whale.
Most of our trips along the west side of san juan island have resulted in whale sightings, but your best and most assured way would be to go on a whale watching tour boat, of which there are many. Vr permit number pcup00160026 covid19 since march 25, 2020 san juan property management vacation rental homes have been and will remain closed to all nonessential travel through may 4th, 2020 due to the san juan county local health officer order. Kayak whale watching in the san juan islands, seattle, washington. San juan islands whale watching attracts numerous tourists to the pacific northwest on an annual basis. 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. 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. Theres nothing i love better than taking a ferry up through the islands. Whale watching and wildlife tours in the san juan islands, wa, usa.
Two ecotypes are commonly found in the salish sea the critically endangered southern residents j, k, and l pods and transient, or biggs, orcas. Whale watching in the san juan islands is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and. Visit the site of each whale watching tour boat listed, get faqs about whale watching on orcas island, view orca whale pictures, find out what to bring when you go whale watching in the san juan islands and see current whale watching schedules with prices. Orcas island eclipse charters whale and wildlife tours. Orcas, or killer whales, as they are also known, are the main whales that populate the waters surrounding the san juan islands, though the area is also home to minke whales. This collection of whalefocused museums, parks and launching points run all the way down the west coast, highlighting some of the best places. During peak season orcas are encountered on 90% or more of tours. San juan islands whale watching friday harbor whale watching. Leaders of the whale sanctuary project said a cordonedoff bay or cove. Smoking is not permitted in the suite or on the property of whale cove. Kayak touring the san juan islands are the best place in the world to view killer whales, and viewing them from a kayak is an experience like none other. 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 guest house is beautifully and tastefully furnished. The trip up to friday harbor is beautiful, and we saw seals and even a bald eagles nest.
Southern resident killer whales returned to their usual summertime. If youre not from the pacific northwest united states, have you even ever heard of friday harbor or the san juan islands. Download the watching whales in the san juan islands brochure. Yearround guaranteed whale watching in washington island. Baleen whales of the san juan islands humpback whale, gray whale, and minke whale.
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. A guide to whale watching in the san juan islands, washington. Considered the premier location to view wild orca killer whales, the waters around san juan island are ideal for whale watching. Whale watching san juan islands western prince whale watching. Nonprofit looks to washingtons san juan islands for. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching whale. The mooring lines of the san juan clipper land on the deck of the whale watching vessel.
Shes lived on washingtons san juan islands for decades, and still recalls how the whale watching industry boomed in the 1990s, after the free. Magnificent orca or killer whales can be seen in the salish sea around the san juan islands year round. Whale watching san juan vs orcas island san juan islands. Baleen whales of the san juan islands seattle washington. San juan island is the secondlargest and most populous of the san juan islands in northwestern washington, united states. While my dad was in town visiting me, we decided to go whale watching in the san juan islands. Or go straight to the source, visiting working farms, a vineyard or the farmers market. Whale watching tours can be for an individual, family, groups or events. Download our brochure san juan islands whale watching. The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see beautiful blackandwhite orca whales in the wild. Best place for whale watching in the san juan islands washington. Whale watching just 90 miles from seattle in friday harbor on san juan island. The best time to see killer whales in the san juan islands.
You may catch them passing by from some of the coastal locations on the whale trail. Dec 04, 2019 3 acres on san juan island, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom all ocean front. Price, convenience, and quality we feel that we offer the best of all three. I own all the footage, but i do not have any ownership rights over any music in this. San juan island with the county seat friday harbor, orcas island, lopez island and shaw island. The southern resident orca pods around the san juan islands. 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. Orcas island washington is the largest of the san juan islands, at just over 57 square miles, with san juan island second largest, at just over 55 square miles. Be whale wise san juan islands washington visitors bureau.
In addition to hosting the worlds only whale museum the san juan islands are also home to washington states hidden treasure. Of the 172 named islands, three of themlopez, orcas and san juanhave lodging, attractions and amenities for visitors. Have a whale of a time in the san juan islands, washington. Seattle whale watching to the san juan islands duration.
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. From midapril until the beginning of october theres just no better place to see orca whales than the san juan islands. The best time to see killer whales in the san juan islands this is one of the most asked questions that we get. Whale watching trips in the san juan islands seattle washington. A locals guide to whale watching in the san juan islands. There are many opportunities to spot whales throughout the san juan islands. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and many other underrated species. Warm summer sun reflects off of downtown skyscrapers as the crew makes final preparations to embark on a. Help support the southern resident orcas by making a. 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. Print a map san juan safaris san juan island whale watching.
Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington visitors. In the afternoon, we got off the boat to explore friday harbor for a few hours. Washington state ferry fares to the san juan islands paid at the anacortes terminal include round trip travel. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. Get up close with the killer whales off orcas island, the largest of the san juan islands near seattle, on this guided, 3. For reference on the water, 300 yards is about three washington state ferry lengths or. Why whale watching in washington states san juan islands should be on your bucket list. You can reach us by washington state ferry from anacortes or by air with friday harbor seaplanes from seattle. Anacortes is our flagship location where island adventures first began back in 1996. After visiting this past july, i believe friday harbor may be the most underrated destination in the pacific northwest.
Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island adventures. Into the whales world san juan islands washington visitors. If you are looking for a kayak tour near seattle, the sheltered waters of the san juan islands are the perfect place. Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington. The san juan islands of washington are famous as the top orca whale watching location in the united states. Aug 27, 2011 footage of my trip whale, and wildlife, watching in the san juan islands of washington state on july 17, 2011. Our cruises offer a gaurantee that if you do not see whales on you cruise you can come again free of charge. Orcas island washington the san juan islands, washington.
Puget sound whale watchers accused of loving endangered. Whale watching in the san juan islands the mandagies. Most premier whale watching vacation home on san juan island. More than 500,000 people annually go whale watching in the waters of washington and british columbia around the san juan islands. Feb 23, 2015 whale watching in the san juan islands. Just a 90mile drive from downtown seattle, anacortes is a convenient starting point for your wildlife adventure no ferry required. Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles. 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.
A visit to the whale museum, friday harbor, san juan island. Washington states san juan islands, celebrated for the spectacular wildlifeviewing opportunities they afford. Download our whale watching wildlife cruises, friday harbor, san juan island, washington brochure, download and print our full color brochure. San juan island whale watching day trip from seattle, wa. We had an amazing whale watching tour our boat captain and guide were very knowledgeable. Group suggests enclosure for orcas in san juan islands. See orcas in the wild, learn about salish sea wildlife, and enjoy the ride into the whales world. Seaplane lands in friday harbor looking back at friday harbor. 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. 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 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. The day began early since we had to catch a ferry from the city to take us up to the san juan islands. You may catch them passing by from some of the coastal locations on the whale.
Orcas has about 4500 yearround residents, as compared to about 7000 yearround residents on san juan. Warm summer sun reflects off of downtown skyscrapers as the crew makes final preparations to. Mar 21, 2017 there are 172 named islands and reefs in san juan county, however the four ferry served islands. Premier orca whale watching from anacortes in the san juan islands, wa. May 04, 2017 a day watching for whales and other sea creatures around the san juan islands. The san juan islands of washington state are nestled between the three great cities of seattle, vancouver b. But, have you ever considered a trip to friday harbor in the san juan islands. Footage of my trip whale, and wildlife, watching in the san juan islands of washington state on july 17, 2011. The best place in the world to see orca aka killer whales, and more. There are three types of orca around the san juan islands, washington area, but the most commonly sighted are the transients which prowl a long stretch of coast and the residents, who tend to stick around. Whale watching in the san juan islands postcards to seattle. Friday harbor, wa united states whale cove san juan. Whale watching in the san juan islands, washington state.
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