Orca whale watching from port angeles, washington on the olympic peninsula. Orcas island san juan safaris san juan island whale. However, if you truly want the best place for whale watching then head to the north end of the island. Four days in vancouver island whale watching paradise. Orcas are the top predators of the oceans and are at the top of the food chain. An interview with beau brandow of outer island excursions on orcas island washington answering several questions about whale watching in the san juan islands. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just.
Our first whale watching tour from friday harbor is scheduled for saturday, march 4th and we cant wait to get back on the water. Orcas island is one of many land masses within the san juan archipelago. While killer whales can be found in all the worlds oceans, they hold a special cultural significance in the pacific northwest and we are fortunate to share our local waters with more than one type of killer whale. Jim mccarter and kelley duffield spent december 2428, 1999 on this wonderfully peaceful island. We have a trained naturalist on board and are waiting to share the adventure with you. The vessels are well suited for a variety of groups and individuals looking for that special wildlife encounter. Whatever tour you choose, youll have the chance to see orcas, minke whales, harbor seals, dalls and harbor porpoise, bald eagles, ospreys.
Orcas island eclipse charters whale watching boat, the 56foot vessel orcas express is fast allowing more time with wildlife. Enjoy an orca whale aka killer whales nature tour on orcas islands all weather family style boat and renew your spirit with nature. Dawn to dusk golf in the san juan islands, orcas island country golf club offers daily fees, excellent club rentals, power or pull cards, practice area, lessons available. During whale watching season, theres nothing like seeing the fluke of a. Fares are less expensive in the offseason lateseptember through midmay. With so much choice in tenerife for whale watching tours, you can find a trip. When is the best time for port angeles whale watching.
Daniel wilk was born and raised in the pacific northwest. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and many other underrated species. We spent an amazing morning watching these beautiful, wild orca whales playing around vancouver island, canada. Killer whales, also known as orcas, are one of the most recognizable and beloved marine species on the planet. Buck bay shellfish farm orcas island chamber of commerce. If the arctic ice continues melting and, thus, forces the polar bears to spend more time in the water, orcas could even pose a risk to them, the biggest and strongest landbased predators. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just around the corner. Whale watching vancouver island news, events, travel. Frequently asked questions san juan excursions whale and. These boat charter companies also offer whale watching.
Sometimes that might be out towards eastern vancouver island, or down to the very south end of the san juan islands, or even north to the canadian gulf islands. 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. When free willy ii was filmed in the san juan islands, one of our local whale watch operators played the coastal marine patrol and took the cast and crew out for a whale watch tour to see orca whales in their natural habitat. Except the humans, orcas dont have any natural enemies, nowhere. A locals guide to whale watching in the san juan islands. Around each corner expect to find a stunning view, an artists studio or other island treasure. About orcas island eclipse charters orcas island eclipse charters offers a high quality, unforgettable whale watching experience.
Island is a brilliant location to spot orcas, minke whales, huge humpbacks and grey. Orca network encourages shorebased whale watching, or watching for whales while commuting on washington state ferries. Tickets may only be purchased on the orcas center website or by calling 3762281 ext 1 or visiting the orcas center box office during box office hours which are wednesday, thursday and friday from 122 pm. Whale watching san juan vs orcas island san juan islands forum. Although orcas island wasnt actually named after these beautiful animals, the orca whale watching is an absolute must do activity when visiting. The cluster of islands is considered san juan county, washington. Whale watch tours from the olympic peninsula island adventures. Whale watching tenerife essential info for travellers updated for. Whale watching from tenerife, the main island in the canary islands, can be as.
We typically see members of our three resident orca whale pods family groups of whales the most in june, july, august and the first half of september and we typically see transient orca whales in april, may and the latter half of. Take your best shot at kayaking with killer whales near seattle, wa. Ranger 85 orca whales february 16, 20 whale watching. Find your own rocky bluff, explore beaches and tide pools, watch for whales, or picnic and play in the nearby meadows. 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. Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles.
Known as the gem of the san juans, orcas is a lush island of rolling hills and tall forests that draw bicyclists and hikers alike. Rosario resort on orcas island is offering summer weekends dedicated to whale watching and education in partnership with the orca network, a nonprofit group dedicated to promoting healthy and safe. Until then, we are working through the project list and getting everything ready to go. Sea quest kayak tours explore the premiere orca whale waters in the san juan. Here, whale watching season spans from march through october.
Kayak whale watching in the san juan islands, seattle, washington. Besides being a fantastic departure point for whale watching, san juan island is a must see and must do destination in the amazing pacific northwest. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island adventures. The orca whale pods that frequent the san juans arent as common around orcas island.
Killer whales orcas, gray whales, humpback whales and minke whales ply the waves and perform their watery rituals. Download the watching whales in the san juan islands brochure. Whaletrips orcas the best time and place to watch orcas. Orca whale watching information in the san juans island. Eagle wing tours gives you more than just a look at whales, they give you the longest and most comprehensive whale watching tours in the industry. Numerous businesses are ready and able to take you all over the san juan islands for the ideal whale watching experience. Whale watching boat tours and diy guide big island. Occasionally, the orcas are not around san juan island, but you can depend on this. The afternoon tour is great because you dont have to get up early, and you end your day with whales and some pretty incredible lighting for photographs. Whale watching in tenerife the pocket travelers guide free download. The whale watching boat is equipped for everyones comfort with 46 highback seats and tables inside, full length viewing deck upstairs with 24 outside seats.
More than 500,000 people annually go whale watching in the waters of washington and british columbia around the san juan islands. San juan island is in the middle of the southern resident orcas federally designated critical habitat and summer feeding and socializing grounds. Whale watching around vancouver island in british columbia is an exceptional experience that will leave you awestruck after watching whales that weigh thousands of pounds frolic in their natural habitat. On our whale watching and wildlife tours you may see orcas, grey whales, sea lions, porpoises, minke whales, bald eagles, and much more. Whale watching holidays orca watching canadian affair.
Island adventures offers premier orca whale watching in the waters of the san juan islands, wa. Looking for the best whale watching on vancouver island. Discover the best time to see orcas with some of the best killer whale watching holidays available provided by natural world safaris. Killer whale holidays best time to see orcas natural world safaris. The whaleplanner march a whale watching infographic whaletrips. While its possible to see whales near the waters surrounding vashon island and seattle, the northern islands that surround puget sound are most commonly counted among the best spots to watch for whales. Interisland ferry service can take you to friday harbor in about 40 minutes be sure to check exact crossing times. Get up close with the killer whales off orcas island, the largest of the san juan islands near seattle, on this guided, 3. Its going to be a whale of a show at orcas center orcas. Click here to download all 12 months of killer whale watching data and be.
The smithsonian magazine names port angeles, washington as one of the countrys top whalewatching destinations. Orcas island whale watching boat charters websites directory. There are many opportunities to observe the orcas from the many miles of shoreline on whidbey island, the kitsap and olympic peninsulas, and the inland waters of puget sound. We also offer the orca whale adoption program through the whale museum. This little corner of the world is one of the best to see orcas as it is home to the southern resident killer whales, population around 85. We would ideally like to be able to whale watch from the island on a hike, from the beach or from our accommodation without the need to go on a boat trip. 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. 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. Outer island excursions offer highquality, unforgettable whale watching, marine and fishing charter experiences in the san juan islands of washington state. Orcas island business directory whale watching 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. For more information about orcas center 20162017 season events, please visit. Orcas island chamber of commerce po box 252 65 north beach road eastsound, wa 98245.
San juan island is in the middle of the southern resident orcas federally designated. Orcas island eclipse charters whale and wildlife tours. Get away from the city and come to beautiful san juan island for a day or more and explore the island. In addition to there being more orcas at the north end of the island you also have excellent opportunities to see humpback hales, dalls porpoises, white sided dolphins, seals, sea lions, eagles, sea birds and bears. Whale watching is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and. We run april through early october and we see whales throughout this season. Orcas island business directory tourism orcas island. Get a a list of orcas island whale watching charter boats, along with whale watching information, including a list of lodgings, boat and kayaking information, rentals and tours, stores, restaurants, real estate, tourist attractions, m aps, and current weather forecasts, by visiting our homepage. Whidbey island whale watching on whidbey island yabsta.
Whale watching in the san juan islands is one of the most popular pastimes for tourists in washington state. Venturing as far as 50 miles into canadian waters, whalewatching excursions foster personal rapport between patrons and boatside orcas, gray whales, or humpback whales trying to learn human. The 10 best things to do in orcas island 2020 with. Welcome the first gray whales of the season on vancouver island or try your luck with the blue whales of chile. Meanwhile on vancouver island, canada, the people of tofino and ucluelet. Dan and denise wilk have 29 years combined island residency. 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. For more information on things to do in san juan island, download our free. San juan island and orcas island, in particular, offer many options for boatbased whale watching opportunities. Our luxurious, highspeed vessels for small groups of passengers can accommodate a more personal experience with the whales and our crew. Follow the whale trail orcas island lopez island san juan island. Humpback whales make their annual journey to hawaii between the months of november and april whale season, and the big island is our favorite of the hawaiian islands to see them. While other vancouver island whale watching tours are heading for shore, our experienced captains and crew are going the extra mile or 50 to show you the gray whale feeding beaches, the eagles nests, the hidden coves and all the other delights. Local information about friday harbor, san juan island and.