Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles. Lime kiln state park aka whale watch park, washington. In friday harbor, you can jump onto the shuttle provided by the best western friday harbor suites. Guided by an experienced captain and naturalist 2 naturalists with more than 15 guests. Jun 30, 2017 while we were en route to the san juan islands for the long holiday weekend, mv orca ran into some of her cousins directly east of friday harbor. Mayas legacy whale watching friday harbor, san juan island. Learn about the areas vibrant ecosystem from the on board naturalist and tour a charming island town. Bring the whole family to this center, where kiddos are welcomed with open arms. A whale takes up residence in the hudson river the new. We only have two or three days a year when whales are not seen. The residence at whale cove was a wonderful experience.
San juan excursions whale watching tours and wildlife cruises. Choose one of our 46 deals and get discounts of up to 50%. Our first day on the island we took mayas legacy tours from mitchell bay and were treated to a super pod of every orca from the southern residents. Numerous businesses are ready and able to take you all over the san juan islands for the ideal whale watching experience. Orcas island business directory whale watching orcas. Friday harbor is the place in the world to see orca. San juan whale watching in september friday harbor forum. San juan island is considered the best place to view orca whales because of the large salmon population, which is their primary food source. For the best whale watching in seattle, enjoy the beauty of san juan island on a whale watching cruise from friday harbor, a quaint town on the island.
The purchase allowed the exhibit space to double in size. The home is an architectural gem, private, and only steps from the cove. Ny whale and dolphin watching adventure cruise xperience days. Watching whales and wildlife on san juan island, near seattle wa. The best western is within walking distance to all of the shops in downtown friday harbor. Sightings have been reported from the statue of liberty to well north of the george. 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 whalewatching and sea life exploration. The only issue we had was that the boat we took to friday harbor was the same boat we took whale watching. During the peak season, we see whales on 90% of our tours, in addition to a variety of marine wildlife. During these two hour adventures we will be on the lookout for not only many species of whales, such as humpbacks, fin whales, killer whales, and minke whales, but dolphins, harbor seals, sea lions, and seabirds. One of the only museums of its kind in the world, the whale museum promotes stewardship of whales and the salish sea ecosystem through education and research.
Hear about the pig war, the smugglers, and a cast of other colorful characters scattered throughout the history of this corner of the salish sea. Between the distance and the amount of people on the boat, it was very difficult to see a whale. Paddling this area offers our guests rugged coastline, expansive ocean views, snow covered mountains, and lots of marine wildlife including orca whales, seals, sea lions, eagles, and more. San juan safaris orca whale watching, friday harbor, washington. The whale museum is located in the beautiful town of friday harbor, washington. Friday harbor is the main town on san juan island, which is served by ferry from anacortes, several private craft, and three air carriers. Facebook559tweet0pin4 by douglas scott the coming of spring marks many events in grays harbor. We are the only company on the olympic peninsula that. We started our cruises to victoria, the san juan islands and whale watching on april 30th this season, and have had lots of great whale sightings so far. United way offers overnight shelter from the severe weather. Orcas killer whales united states center for whale. Perched high atop an embankment, the dining room boasts panoramic views of the san juan channel, ferry landing and friday harbor marina, away from the hustle and bustle of. The san juan islands are considered one of the top sea kayaking destinations in the world.
Once you arrive on san juan island, we are a short distance from the ferry terminal. During the months of march and april, the washington coast. In 1989, the the whale museum board bought the odd fellows hall an historic building in the town of friday harbor, constructed in 1892. Hes referring to a 2017 noaa fisheries study which recorded the sound of tour boats from the perspective of the orcas, via. Download our brochure whale watching trips, wildlife cruises. 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. 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. Im spending 1 day at san juan island, and 1 day at orcas end of july. Cruise the san juan islands on the classic yacht bee.
The flagship tour is 34 hours in length and is the best tour for those traveling with young children, elderly, and large groups. The most loved cetaceans of the world, friday harbor wa an intimate and personal experience with your captain and the whales 6 passenger limit. Only ten minutes from friday harbor and on the sunset side of the island. Finding us the whale museum friday harbor, washington.
During peak season orcas are encountered on 90% or. A perfect romantic adventure best paired with a bottle wine at the end. Lime kiln state park aka whale watch park, washington state. Join us for a paddle, and let us show you why the san juan islands are. Dec 10, 2008 one of the only museums of its kind in the world, the whale museum promotes stewardship of whales and the salish sea ecosystem through education and research.
The plane arrives in time to enjoy the town for friday harbor and its many shops and restaurants. Sasha and lee hilderman have run this friday harbor gem for 15 years. Take a relaxing outing on the waters when you rent a vessel from san juan excursions in friday harbor. 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. This san juan islands trip is also the official ferry route between port townsend and friday harbor. Lime kiln point state park is the place on the west side of san juan island washington state to watch sunsets and hopefully spot some of the 80plus orcas who make. A motorized whale watch boat that can cover many dozens of miles in a short time span. We offer whale watching and wildlife tours in the san juan islands, north of seattle. As the gray skies become less frequent, flowers start bloom, and hillsides dry out, the waters of the pacific ocean and grays harbor welcome the return of the gray whales. This is a northwest treasure made up of more than just peaceful landscapes, diverse wildlife and pristine harbors. Whale watching in the san juan islands is one of the most popular pastimes for tourists in washington state. Today you can spend the afternoon aboard the western prince or odyssey on a whale watching tour. Adventure whale watching in the san juan islands western.
Top 10 hotels in friday harbor, washington cancel free. We always like to say that no two whale watching tours are the same. Which is the best way to see the whales kayaking or whale charter boats. We are following orders from the governor of massachusetts and recommendations from the cdc to determine the best season start date. San juan safaris orca whale watching eco tour agency. Friday harbor travel guide san juan island washington. Western prince whale watching is located in scenic friday harbor on san juan island, just 90 miles north of seattle. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and many other underrated species. Fly back to seattle after the whale watch tour or stay the night and return the next day. September is a great time to whale watch, especially for orca. A whale was visible from the new york side of the hudson river between 48th and 60th streets on sunday.
See eagles, seals and sea lions and watch the whales while you relax on deck. Whether seeking the classic burger, fries and a milkshake or a farmtotable experience, diners can find a restaurant to suit their tastes. San juan island whale watching day trip from seattle, wa. The fun begins when you hop onboard the american princess for this fourhour whale watching adventure in rockaway queens. Ny whale and dolphin watching adventure cruise xperience.
Of the three resident pods of orca whales, weve seen j and l pods so far, but have also been lucky with finding transient orcas and a few gray whales too. In 1992 we introduced supervised, educational pajama parties for children called pod nods, adding to our mission of education. Waterfront cruises is proud to run daily whale watching trips. Wildlife is abundant in the area, and proximity to parks is a plus. It is hard to say whether the morning is better or the afternoon is better, because usually if we have whales in the area we will see them on both trips. San juan island is accessed via the wa state ferry that departs from anacortes, wa just 90 miles north of san juan island.
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. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. We are thinking of doing whale watching out of friday harbor. A southern resident orca whale swims in puget sound in view of mount. Whale watching just 90 miles from seattle in friday harbor on san juan island. San juan island is filled with farmers, artists, chefs and makers of all kinds. Considered the premier location to view wild orca killer whales, the waters around san juan island are ideal for whale watching. Postreproductive killer whale grandmothers improve the survival of their grandoffspring. In 2014, we came here hoping to see any during our five day trip. Best whale watching tour boat on san juan island western. The whale museum in friday harbor is what the louvre is to paris or the smithsonian to the nations capitol, except that instead of killer paintings and sculptures, the whale museum in friday harbor has killer whales and orcas. Download our whale watching wildlife cruises, friday harbor, san juan island, washington brochure, download and print our full color brochure.
So if youre looking for an amazing boating experience in friday harbor, look no further than san juan. The town of friday harbor and friday harbor arts commission fhac have announced the winners of their first poetry garden contest. San juan outfitters is best known for its high quality whale watch and wildlife tours, focusing not only on showing our guests orca killer whales, but a wider variety of wildlife as well. Because of the size of the boat, we had to stay over 200m away from the whales. Time on the island is not complete without drinks or a meal overlooking the majestic puget sound and no place fits the bill better than the restaurant at friday harbor house. Whale watchers, as a nonessential business, we are not currently operating due to covid19. Join discovery kayak for a serene evening along the shores of san juan island. About us the whale museum friday harbor, washington.
We came to friday harbor a few years ago in october, no thanks to my work schedule, and we saw everything but orca. Head out on the water and enjoy an exciting outdoor adventure as you go on the search for dolphins, whales and other wildlife in beautiful new york harbor. Which is the better island or harbor to take a tour from. Friday harbor, wa united states whale cove san juan. These are the best places for kidfriendly tours in friday harbor. San juan islands whale watching from friday harbor low. Friday harbor, wa united states san juan suites high. Find driving directions from seattle, bellingham and port townsendwhidbey island, plus alternate transportation options, including via seaplane from seattle. Spring marks the return of the whales to the washington coast. The restaurant scene in friday harbor and all of san juan island is rich and varied. Juan safaris, a whale watching company based in friday harbor, wash. During peak season orcas are encountered on 90% or more of tours. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching. Also whale behavior does not change based on the time of day.
Port townsend san juan island whale watching tour puget. Plan your trip san juan safaris san juan island whale. Lime kiln state park, commonly known as whale watch park offers dramatic west side views and trails lined with pacific madrone trees and picnic tables close to the waters edge. The orca whale pods that frequent the san juans arent as common around orcas island. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching whale. Travel through beautiful countryside on your way to the anacortes ferry terminal to board a ferry to san juan island. They continue to travel the world and come back inspired.
It is curated with adventure, good taste, local charm and a respect for the stunning surroundings. Below are the number of accommodations by star rating in friday harbor and the surrounding area. Join us for the best adventure whale watching in the pacific northwest. 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. We have 85 friday harbor accommodations with prices starting at usd 40.