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. 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. 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. San juan excursions gives 5% or more of its profits to conservation efforts and charitable organizations. Sophisticated whale watch spotting technology is used to mark where island adventures has seen whales on each of its tours. Orcas are the top predators of the oceans and are at the top of the food chain. Does anyone know if this is a good time to whale watch. Whale watchers accused of loving endangered orcas to death.
Adventure whale watching in the san juan islands western. Anacortes is our flagship location where island adventures first began back in 1996. They occupy an important niche at the top of the food web and support a multimillion dollar whalewatching industry. For whale watching, id choose folks out of anacortes. Best time to whale watch in seattle seattle message. See orcas, humpback whales, minkes, and all the majestic wildlife in the san juan islands departing just 15 minutes north of downtown seattle. Orca families often pass close to cracroft point as they head further out into the johnson strait. Seattle new technology could help ships and ferries navigate around whales in washington, reducing the chances of a deadly ship strike. If you grab binoculars and head for constellation park, you just might find kersti muul and jeff hogan there watching orcas. Id like to go to seattle for several reasons but my main reason would be to whale watch. A unique population of orcas lives in and around the salish sea, which includes.
Recommend to anyone staying in seattle area who wants an enjoyable whale watching experience. 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. Memorial day through late august we offer whale watching at sunset. San juan island is considered the best place to view orca whales because of the large salmon population, which is. Daylong whale watching tours from seattle, around whidbey island, to the iconic san juan islands. Orca and kayaker encounter caught on drone video youtube.
Killer orca whale watching seattle to san juan islands. Timing depends on which types of whales you want to see and the operating seasons of the whale watching tours. Frequently asked questions san juan excursions whale and. Enjoy the experience of a lifetime with seattles only halfday, guaranteed whale watching tour. Family activity center at the seattle aquarium to learn more. No matter where in the world you live, your actions make a difference.
The calm waters near the san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to view wild orcas. Full coverage of issues pertaining to the orcas, or killer whales, that visit puget sound, the salish sea and other areas near seattle, washington state and the pacific northwest. Washington ferries use new app to help struggling orca population. San juan safaris is pleased to offer military personnel, active or retired, and their family members a 10% discount on all of our tours. Orca whales usually pass through the islands in greatest numbers between midmay and midoctober when the salmon runs are strongest, although its possible to spot them through the rest of the year. The whale museum is located in the beautiful town of friday harbor, washington. Whaletrips orcas the best time and place to watch orcas. Namu fever stoked an international craze for killer whales to put on exhibit all. Id prefer to see orca s and i heard they might be around that area in april. Contact orca spirit about killer whale watching, boat charters or any other question. Most often, people take one of the iconic washington state ferries from anacortes to the islands. Recent orca whale sightings near seattle island adventures.
All the ones i have seen leave from orcas island or anacortes area, and unfortunately i am only in seattle for a short amount of time but dont want to miss out on orcas whale. We will be in seattle and all around the area next week. Get up close with the orca whales off the san juan islands near seattle on this 4hour whalewatching cruise. Orcas are toothed black and white whales they hunt everything from fish to walruses, seals, sea lions, penguins, squid, sea turtles, sharks, and even other kinds of whales.
If you wish to see the pnw, id suggest playing on either sj or orcas islands, with my personal preference, sj. Whatever tour you choose, youll have the chance to see orcas, minke whales, harbor seals, dalls and harbor porpoise, bald eagles, ospreys. A southern resident orca whale swims in puget sound in view of mount. Are there whale watching boat tours that leave from downtown seattle. Arriving in seattle on july 28, 1965, griffin was given a heros welcome and. Our location on the southern tip of vancouver island puts us right in the heart of orcas and other whales in the wild. Just a 90mile drive from downtown seattle, anacortes is a convenient starting point for your wildlife adventure no ferry required. Except the humans, orcas dont have any natural enemies, nowhere. Puget sound whale watchers accused of loving endangered. In may 2001, an endangered species petition was submitted to the u. Is it possible along any of the island shorelines or onp coastline, etc.
Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. Our guides and naturalists work to create educational, fun, and engaging tours that provide our guests with memories to last a lifetime. Is whale watching possible minus the expensive tours. Help washington state ferries track whales in puget sound with. Whale watching tour companies seattle forum tripadvisor.
In the high season for whale watching, they usually do well. Follow the whale trail orcas island lopez island san juan island. San juan excursions whale watching seattle seattle. Its also considered the best place to view orca whales. There are 4 ways to get from seattle to orcas island by train, ferry, bus or shuttle. How a generation of killer whales was taken from puget sound. Read on to find out how you can help, and come visit us at the puget sound orcas. Traveling from seattle and elsewhere to orcas island. Travel inspired cuisine by way of the northwest, the whale wins roasts the very best from local beaches, gardens and farms in its rustic wood fired oven and serves it to share on plates large and small in a light filled, converted warehouse space. The spectacular natural beauty and relaxed rural lifestyle of the san juan islands feels like a world away yet this unique whale watching seaplane flight and cruise is just a daytrip away from seattle with kenmore air. Spend a day with orcas, humpback, minke whales and more as you cruise through the waters of the salish sea aboard five stars sleek, 40passenger vessel on a. Seattle to orcas island 4 ways to travel via train. 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. Latest report is that they are still trending south, near vashon.
Orcas island business directory whale watching orcas. You can download the app both on apple and android phones. The san juan islands, located 140 km north of seattle in the heart of salish sea, is the most famous place for orca whale watching. Anyone can do that by downloading the whale report.
An orca whale may eat about 500 pounds of food a day orcas are also called killer whales and wolves of the sea. Last year the closest operator left from edmonds and did offer hotel pick up. The public can download the whalereport app and report sightings to. Frequently asked questions about our whale watching tours.
This was a harbor seals watching cruise and not for whale watching. The seattle aquarium and our partners are working to help protect these amazing creatures. A large group of resident orcas passed by west seattle this morning. Best whale watching tour boat on san juan island western. Killer whales, also called orcas, are among puget sounds most distinctive and charismatic inhabitants. Anyone can do that by downloading the whale report app on a smart phone.
With 3 generations of family dedication and experience, we guarantee youll see whales or your next trip is free. Sail through breathtaking deception pass, and travel through the protected waters of the salish sea, while trained naturalists educate passengers about the remarkable ecosystem and its wildlife with a focus on whale and sealife conservation. These species are part of the cultural identity, fishing economy and tourism industry of our region. Our 34 hour classic whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. Whale watching whale watching in the san juan islands is one of the most popular pastimes for tourists in washington state. San juan island is where the southern resident killer whales live about six months out of the year, from midapril to october. The orca whales usually follow the salmon, which is their main source of food. See orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, gray whales and all the majestic wildlife in the salish sea on our. An insiders guide to seattle gray whale watching 12.
At this time of year in the pacific northwest the sun does not set until approximately 9. See orcas in the wild, learn about salish sea wildlife, and enjoy the ride into the whales world. Select an option below to see stepbystep directions and to compare. Well be heading out later to see if we can find them. United airlines negligent for inflight sexual assault tacoma faces two legal. To come to orcas island, travel north on i5 from seattle approx. 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. Once you arrive on san juan island, we are a short distance from the ferry terminal. Known as the proposed whale sanctuary, orcas are often encountered in the waters off the west side of san juan island and henry island. One of the many spots on washingtons whale trail, this beach along highway 101 looks out at the uninhabited destruction island and is a good place to spot orcas as. The orca whale pods that frequent the san juans arent as common around orcas island. The hope is that the app will eventually be adopted by the port of seattle and u.
My dates are flexible but i would prefer to go in april. Each spring, majestic gray whales migrate from the southern waters north to alaska. Friday harbor is the main town on san juan island, which is served by ferry from anacortes, several private craft, and three air carriers. Generally, summer months will offer more opportunities to see orcas from more whale watching companies whale watching tours do not at this point, leave from downtown seattle. Its difficult to imagine a washington without orcas or salmon. Southern resident orca whale recovery governor jay inslee. A day of whale watching in the san juan islands 90 miles north of seattle on our new zodiac style boat, the western explorer. The greatest whale watching value in the state just 30 minutes from seattle. Whale watching in seattle orca whale watching and gray.
New zealand photographer sam kynmancole captured drone footage of a playful orca whale interacting with a kayaker in army bay, new zealand. Other highlights include seals, sea lions, sea birds and the spectacular vistas of southern vancouver island and the gulf islands. This special limited season focuses on gray whales that migrate along the west coast, stopping to feed in local waters on their way back to alaska. Also known as killer whales, orcas are playful, intelligent and social animals. According to their website, they now are located in des moines, quite a bit south of seattle. There are several modes of transportation to orcas island and the beautiful san juan islands.
Dramatic animal showdown as pod of orca take on 100ft blue whale spellbinding drone footage has captured the moment a pod of orca staged a brazen attack on a 100ft blue whale. Our 34 hour adventure whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. They can slow down or avoid those whales, and give them more. Transient orcas seen feeding on gray whale south of whidbey island. Kayaking san juan islands seattle orca whale watching. When the vessels came near the whales, witnesses saw the pod, comprised of mother. Learn about issuesaffecting the orcas the southern resident community of killer whales is listed federally as an endangered species. The orcas, like most wild animals, do not have set schedules. The seattle marine aquarium originally known as the seattle public aquarium was a privately owned aquarium that was opened in 1962 and closed in 1977, and was located on pier 56 on the elliott bay waterfront in seattle, washington, usa.
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