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. 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. Seeing orcas at lime kiln state park was not our first orca encounter during our visit. And our whale watching luck in the san juan islands has carried right through into august. Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington. Orcas island eclipse charters whale and wildlife tours. May 04, 2017 a locals guide to whale watching in the san juan islands. Whale report blog whale watching san juan islands san. We set sail on the 65foot odyssey and made our way out into the salish sea.
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. In addition to hosting the worlds only whale museum the san juan islands are also home to washington states hidden treasure. During the warmer months, may through september, three pods families of orcas make washingtons san juan islands near seattle and vancouver, their home. Seeing orcas in october san juan island forum tripadvisor. You can download the maps and once they are in your computer you can zoom, print or save them.
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. Here is a sample map that shows our 2day san juan islands. This includes state parks, the san juan island national historical park, land bank. 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. Group suggests enclosure for orcas in san juan islands. Leaders of the whale sanctuary project said a cordonedoff bay or cove can also serve as a rehabilitation site if a member of the local orca. Can someone share any experience theyve had with whale watching in the san juans for orcas in october. Feeding almost exclusively on salmon, the favorite being chinook these whales can be seen from april to october in the. The whale museum here is home to everything orca, including the skeleton of the young orca sooke, who died in 2012 but lives in on in the museums reverent exhibit. Best location in the san juan islands for whale watch departures. Kayak with whales san juan islands outdoor odysseys. It is best to keep your expectations low for encountering a baleen whale while kayaking in the san juan islands.
You are visiting the absolute best place in the world to see orca. Owner operated, 15 years of experience performing whale watch tours in the san juan islands. These are the islands that most tourists visit although there are a designated 172 islands and reefs in the san juan county. Orca whales range through the san juan islands the most between may and october when the salmon runs are strongest, although we do have sightings throughout the year. The southern resident orca pods around the san juan islands. After a brief stop in beautiful friday harbor, we cruise into the open waters of the salish sea to search for our blackandwhite orca locals. Some feed exclusively on fish, while others hunt marine mammals such as seals and other species of dolphin. Endangered orcas and the legitimacy of environmental law. 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 adventures. Oct 07, 2018 on august 12th, we encountered a humpback whale heading down san juan channel but soon after, we got a report of transients coming up san juan channel. San juan outfitters is known for its low guide to guest ratio kayak tours. We still have large knowledge gaps to contend with in our understanding of the complex lives of the different types of orca that reside in the waters off the san juan islands in the salish sea.
We also offer the orca whale adoption program through the whale museum. On our whale watching and wildlife tours you may see orcas, grey whales, sea lions, porpoises, minke whales, bald eagles, and much more. 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. In contrast, our alaska kayaking tours excel at finding humpback whales. Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald. The san juan islands are worldrenowned for orca research and whale watching and there are two different types of orcas. Whale watching san juan islands western prince whale watching. Although we operate hundreds of tours each year we never forget who is in charge. Heather, naturalist, san juan safaris l22s off of south beach, san juan island, headed toward salmon bank. 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.
Every year, thousands of tourists flock to the islands and go on whale watch tours in hopes of catching a glimpse of these beautiful and often playful creatures in the wild. The srkw are here in the san juan islands mid april to about first part of october. K pod has 19 individuals, and l pod, the largest of the southern resident pods, has 43. Book your orca whale watching tour with mayas legacy whale watching, departing daily from san juan island, just 90 miles from seattle. The san juan islands of washington are the best place in the world to. Whale watching is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and appreciate killer whales and the other marine wildlife in this region. Soak in the natural beauty of the pacific northwest aboard the finest whale watching vessel on the entire west coast, the island explorer 5. Western prince whale watching is located in scenic friday harbor on san juan island, just 90 miles north of seattle, washington. Orca, humpback, minke, and gray whale sightings are possible at any time of year. The west side of henry and san juan islands is prime orca habitat, as our local pods move up and down haro straight in search of salmon, and we will spend our last afternoon paddling with eyes wide open. Just a 90mile drive from downtown seattle, anacortes is a convenient starting point for your wildlife adventure no ferry required. The orca whale pods that frequent the san juans arent as common around orcas island. Recently, transient or biggs orca have become more prevalent around the san juan islands than the southern residents. Of all the activities to enjoy here in the san juan islands, whale watching is one of the most spectacular.
Our tours explore some of the richest whale habitat on the planet. The j pod, which currently has about 25 individuals, is frequently seen along the western shore of the island and is the only pod that makes occasional appearances throughout the winter. Orca whales are one of the main attractions of the san juan islands in washington. Killer whales have a diverse diet, although individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey. Whale watching in the san juan islands whale watching. Jim maya ken balcomb reports the l22s are on the west side of san juan island. J pod can occasionally be seen off seattle, whidbey island and very occasionally san juan island. Print a map san juan safaris san juan island whale watching. As of august 17th the local orca whale pods have been sighted in the salish sea for 80 straight days that must be a record. We use cookies and other technologies to understand how you and other visitors use our site, and improve your browsing experience. The wildlife in the san juan islands is quite diverse.
Known as the proposed whale sanctuary, orcas are often encountered in the waters off the west side of san juan island and henry island. We each have our favorites, mine is san juan island for its access to the water, and much more for heavier duty hiking, orcas. The best time of the year for the orca whale watching season is from midapril through midoctober when the resident pods of orca. San juan kayak expeditions 2day orca whale sea kayaking. Recent whale sightings in the salish sea puget sound, northwest straits, gulf islands and georgia strait note. 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. 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. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island. Ready to plan your san juan islands whale watching. During peak season orcas are encountered on 90% or more of tours. Blog and whale reports san juan cruises whale watching. Resident orca populations are those that frequent the waters off the san juan islands and are organized into stable, highly social matrilineal family groups called pods.
Group gauges interest in san juan islands sanctuary for retired. Download the watching whales in the san juan islands brochure. During this time, it becomes possible to see both resident pods and visiting transient orcas in search of food. May 03, 2014 april 2014 a whale watching tour of transient killer whales of the pacific northwest. From midapril until the beginning of october theres just no better place to see orca whales than the san juan islands. Puget sound whale watchers accused of loving endangered. Our 34 hour adventure whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. Enjoy lunch on a pebble beach while soaking up the sun and views of the canadian gulf islands to the north.
Best place for whale watching in the san juan islands washington. Orcas killer whales united states center for whale. Whale watching in the san juan islands is one of the most popular pastimes for tourists in washington state. Premier orca whale watching from anacortes in the san juan islands, wa. 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. That includes the whale tours by kayak, day kayak tours and overnight kayakcamping tours. You may catch them passing by from some of the coastal locations on the whale. This trip launches from griffin bay to the southeast, but never looks back, because it finishes in westcott bay at our exclusive landing beach. The day before, we embarked on a san juan island whale watching expedition from friday harbor with san juan excursions. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and many other underrated species. Two ecotypes are commonly found in the salish sea the critically endangered southern residents j, k, and l pods and transient, or biggs, orcas.
They tend to favor the waters right off the west side of san juan island. I think they were transients based on their movement style. Researchers, residents and whale watchers saw nearly all of the orcas j pod, about 21 animals, off the west side of san juan island. Whale watching tours can be for an individual, family, groups or events.
However, our kayaking routes are optimized for finding orca whales, so sightings of baleen whales are very unpredictable. There are no bridges or walkways that connect them together, the only way to get around is by boat or by plane. The orca whale, orcinus orca a familiar sight around san juan island in the summer months, mostly from may through october. This tour travels through this area and offers the best chances to view killer whales.
Join me for a tour of the salish sea among the san juan islands. The center for whale research cwr is dedicated to the study and conservation of the southern resident killer whale orca population in the pacific northwest. The best time to see killer whales in the san juan islands this is one of the most asked questions that we get. Ive been seeing where orcas are often in the area year round. San juan island is in the middle of the southern resident orcas federally designated. Join us today and let our family show yours the magic of the san juans.
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. 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. Book an orca whale watching tour from friday harbor, san. Get up close with the killer whales off orcas island, the largest of the san juan islands near seattle, on this guided, 3. But at island adventures, we pride ourselves on offering more than just unforgettable whale sightings. There are a great variety of whales travelling the waters here in the. Another beautiful, warm day in the san juan islands. This video is shot from the newest whale watching boat in the san juan islands, sea lion. 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 off. Low guidetoclient ratio means your naturalist and captain are on deck with you in person. The salmoneating southern resident killer whales srkw primarily feed on. San juan safaris is pleased to offer military personnel, active or retired, and their family members a 10% discount on all of our tours. We wondered if the humpback would get spooked or harassed. A grinning orca skull greets you at the whale museum.
The killer whale or orca orcinus orca is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member. Follow the whale trail orcas island lopez island san juan island. On the san juan islands, whale watching season lasts from spring to fall. Wildlife of the san juan islands san juan excursions san. For those of you who love birds, the san juan islands are a birders paradise. The latest scientific paper from the center for whale research has just been published in pnas. That question has become more urgent in washington state, where southern resident killer whales that feed around the san juan islands in. Magnificent orca or killer whales can be seen in the salish sea around the san juan islands year round. These three orca whale families come to the san juan islands each year may through september in search of their primary food source, the. Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles. The calm waters near the san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to view wild orcas. Get a group together and join us on a private boat charter in the san juan islands. Humpback whales, minke whales, and, gray whales also call the region home. This website, san juan orcas, was established to help spread awareness of the endangered southern resident orcas and to arm people with the knowledge of how to help save these amazing marine mammals from extinction.
Whale watching just 90 miles from seattle in friday harbor on san juan island considered the premier location to view wild orca killer whales, the waters around san juan island are ideal for whale watching. Our san juan islands kayaking tours found orcas almost every day in july, same as in june. Orca whale watching live video footage san juan island. Introducing our second san juan islands kayaking video, a wonderful 3 minute feature that was shown on abc news. Washingtons san juan island is best place to see and. Numerous businesses are ready and able to take you all over the san juan islands for the ideal whale watching experience.
There are many opportunities to spot whales throughout the san juan islands. A locals guide to whale watching in the san juan islands. A southern resident killer whale named lolita also known as. A day tour with fantastic guides, lots of wildlife, and a rare humpback whale sighting. Killer whale facts the san juan islands, washington. Today, our museum continues to promote stewardship of whales and the salish sea ecosystem through education and research.
Island adventures orca whale watching tours in the san juan. After meandering through the islands, taking in the incredible scenery, we found orca whales lpod up off the nw end of san juan island. Find out more about the whales when you follow the whale trail and find ways you can help the whales here. We had an amazing whale watching tour our boat captain and guide were very knowledgeable. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. Postreproductive killer whale grandmothers improve the survival of their grandoffspring. We leave from the dock closest to the whales for your best chance to see orcas.
It contains some of the best footage of people watching orca whales in the wild. Friday harbor is the most populated city or settlement on san juan island. The calm waters of the pacific northwest offer some of the best whale watching in the world. Our 34 hour classic whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. 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. On our deluxe whale watching tour we make a stop every day in friday harbor, usually from about 11. One of the more interesting killer whale facts, and not widely known, is that there isnt really a whale watching season, but since their major food source, salmon, is available mostly during the summer months around the san juan islands, thats the best time to see them because they go where the food goes. The best places to whale watch from shore on san juan island. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching whale. Baleen whales of the san juan islands sea quest kayak. 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.
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. Several pods of orcas spend most of the summer in the salish sea, making it highly possible to see an orca in the wild during a visit to the san juan islands. Jun 19, 2017 with clipper vacations, whale and other sea life encounters are just a boat ride away from downtown seattle. The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see beautiful blackandwhite orca whales in the wild. Orcas island business directory whale watching orcas. Help support the southern resident orcas by making a.
Biggs, or transient, killer whales are a largesized ecotype of orca that can be found all year round in the waters around the san juan islands. More than 500,000 people annually go whale watching in the waters of washington and british columbia around the san juan islands. The video was made in the killer whale sanctuary on the west side of san juan island, a few minutes from friday harbor, washington. We had quite a bit of time with them, before heading into friday harbor for our two hour shore visit and our return cruise back to bellingham. Sep 21, 2015 lopez island, san juan island and shaw island. Our main objective in founding this center is to create an educational space where visitors and residents of the island can glean knowledge of our diverse ecosystem here in the san juan islands, washington and surrounding areas. If whale watching is on your bucket list, head to washington where you can get. 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. The best time to see killer whales in the san juan islands.
Other highlights include dalls porpoise, harbor porpoise, minke whales, humpback whales, bald eagles, and more. The best place in the world to see orca aka killer whales, and more. Orca whales killer whales are found in many oceans of the world but for orca whale watching, the pacific northwests san juan islands are one of the most reliable places to view them. It showcases our resident orca whales and our two expedition managers. New san juan islands kayaking maps showing killer whale.
San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching. Whale watchers accused of loving endangered orcas to death. Sightings summaries archives sighting report archives. San juan outfitters owns the exclusive kayak facilities at roche harbor, san juan island and kayak facilities in friday harbor, san juan island. Orca whales and wildlife in the san juan islands island. Anacortes is our flagship location where island adventures first began back in 1996. Whale watching san juan islands western prince whale. This is enough time to explore the town, taking in the shops, artist galleries and museums that make this town the hub of activity in the san juan islands. Whale watch tours in the san juan islands island adventures. Residents of the san juan islands form three large family groups, or pods. San juan orcas was also established to offer help identifying individual orcas. There is a ledge or overhang on the west side 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. Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington visitors. We have a trained naturalist on board and are waiting to share the adventure with you. Killer orca whale watching seattle to san juan islands. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands, puget sound is the center of whale watching in the pacific northwest.
Theres also a whale gallery, museum, and gift shop. Enjoy an orca whale aka killer whales nature tour on orcas islands all weather family style boat and renew your spirit with nature. These orcas are marine mammal hunters, focusing most of their attention on the robust harbor seal population in the area, but they have also been known to hunt porpoise, whales, sea lions, and even. Island adventures offers premier orca whale watching in the waters of the san juan islands, wa. Within the inland waters of washington and canada, there are three resident orca family groups labeled alphabetically as j, k, and l pods. For more information on things to do in san juan island, download our.
1165 1046 144 241 1185 1449 1265 1321 1485 1075 71 1319 443 658 1122 575 676 189 1660 751 938 1617 424 1326 1590 1251 350 1556 424 509 389 877 459 1049 1399 1222 1054 1443 757 1431 1316 176 655 479 553