We depart from orcas island for whale watching and light house tours. Click here to download all 12 months of killer whale watching data and be sure to zoom in to see. San juan island kayaking trips with orca whales in washington. Top things to do in orcas island, san juan islands. To find out more about the whale watching tours we offer on vancouver island, click here. Frequently asked questions san juan excursions whale and.
Whale watch tours from anacortes wa island adventures. 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. Join one of our whale and wildlife tours departing from smugglers villa resort and west beach resort both near eastsound on orcas island. Museum admission included for museum located on ocas island on main st.
No, there are no bridges but you can take your car on the ferry to the other islands. Consider booking refundable hotels rather than nonrefundable ones. Is there a certain time of day that is best for trying to see the whales. Low guidetoclient ratio means your naturalist and captain are on deck with you in person. Lots of other wildlife like bald eagles, harbor porpoises, sea lions, etc. Orca spirits three hour whale watching tours run daily from april through october. As we stroll around the quaint town, we stumble upon the whale museum, and duck inside this oneofakind locale to learn more about the orcas.
The question of whether boatbased watching tours are really harmless. We have all the basics, like orcas island flights, cars and hotels. Orcas island whale watching usa activities lonely planet. Charming villages of olga, deer harbor, westsound and orcas village dot the island as centers of culture, art and cuisine. The tour includes boat trip to the island, circumnavigation, walking on. May 04, 2017 as we stroll around the quaint town, we stumble upon the whale museum, and duck inside this oneofakind locale to learn more about the orcas of j, k and l pods. Relax and enjoy the islands quality sampling of restaurants, boutiques, art galleries and museums. A naturalist guided nature cruise, an orca whale aka killer whales nature tour on. 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. We specialize in small group, high quality, entertaining and educational tours. We went whale watching today with outer island excursions and had a perfect time. San juan safaris has 20 years in the whale watching business and is located in the thick of whale watching territory in friday harbor just steps from the ferry landing on san juan island. 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.
Orcas island ferry landing, orcas island, washington, 98280. Whatever tour you choose, youll have the chance to see orcas, minke whales, harbor seals, dalls and harbor porpoise, bald eagles, ospreys, cormorants, great. Every trip is led by a certified marine naturalist whose knowledge and passion for vancouver islands marine wildlife is unequaled in the industry, and every vessel in our fleet is equipped with hydrophones to bring the underwater experience to light. Your experience on our tours will be a private one with our 12 passenger maximum capacity. Outer island expeditions eastsound 2020 what to know.
They are home to at least 78 orca whales who travel here every spring. We boast more than 100 years of combined experience in the islands and have led excursions for hundreds of thousands of satisfied guests over 24 years of business. Download the watching whales in the san juan islands brochure. All san juan islands kayaking tours meet in friday harbor, washington on san juan island and then launch from a. You can access san juan, lopez, orcas and shaw islands via the washington state ferry system. Orcas island business directory tourism orcas island. Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles. Bikers and motorists can choose from quiet country inns, or head into town for more familiar hotel accommodations.
Our guides and naturalists work to create educational, fun, and engaging tours that provide our guests with memories to last. Orcas island business directory whale watching orcas. But very little is known yet about where they spend the winter. What is the best way to save money on my vacation to orcas island. He has seen humpback whales bubble net feeding in alaska and rubbed the heads of curious gray whale calves in mexico. Weve also got a ton of activities and experiences to peruse. Whale island tours whakatane 2020 all you need to know. Although orcas island wasnt actually named after these beautiful animals, the orca whale watching is an absolute must do activity when visiting. Owner operated, 15 years of experience performing whale watch tours in the san juan islands. The companies whale sighting guarantee applies to all regularly scheduled whale watch tours. We work with remote passages marine excursions to offer our guests the chance to experience the ultimate whale watching adventure in british columbia.
The southern resident orca whales reside on southeast shores of vancouver island. Island adventures offers premier orca whale watching in the waters of the san juan islands, wa. Resident killer whales that feed around the san juan islands in the. On our whale watching and wildlife tours you may see orcas, grey whales, sea lions, porpoises, minke whales, bald eagles, and much more. 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. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and many other underrated species. However, if you truly want the best place for whale watching then head to the north end of the island. At seattle orca whale watching in partnership with san juan safaris we take great pride in providing you with the best orca whale watching and wildlife tours in the pacific northwest.
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. 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. For over three decades we have worked hard to keep a respectful and responsible focus on our wildlife tours. Whether you are planning a whale watching tour in the san juan islands or would rather do some. Well pick you up at your downtown victoria hoteland when your whale watching adventure is over, well drop you back at the hotel, or if you prefer, anywhere in the victoria city core. The staff is superfriendly and knowledgeable, the tour was organized perfectly and most important. With orcas island eclipse charters you will enoy a wonderful journey through the sunny and scenic san juan islands of washington state. The video was made in the killer whale sanctuary on the west side of san juan island, a few minutes from friday harbor, washington.
Being a small family operated business and frequent travelers, we understand plans can change. Whaletrips orcas the best time and place to watch orcas. 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 juan island. 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. The best orca killer whale watching is off san juan island, approximately midapril through the beginning of october. Introducing our second san juan islands kayaking video, a wonderful 3 minute feature that was shown on abc news. Worship or worry as you see fit with todays groupon. Anacortes is our flagship location where island adventures first began back in 1996. The waterways surrounding the san juan islands are considered the best place in the world to observe orcas killer whales in the wild, and the best location in the islands to access those waters is san juan outfitters exclusive marine adventure center at roche harbor. Prices can vary, but right now we believe that flexibility matters. For over three decades we have offered respectful marine wildlife tours. Start your summer right with a biking, hiking, and swimming tour of orcas island with bellinghams shifting gears. In addition to tours that search around orcas island for whale pods and other sea life, this charter company offers lighthouse tours. Checkin will be 30 minutes prior to the start of the tour.
Enjoy an orca whale aka killer whales nature tour on orcas island s all weather family style boat and renew your spirit with nature. Orca spirit adventures offers a courtesy shuttle service for all guests. The 10 best things to do in orcas island 2020 with. Guided walking tours of whale moutohora island sanctuary, a pristine wildlife reserve 9kms from whakatane. Orca whale watching information in the san juans island. Outer island excursions offer highquality, unforgettable whale watching, marine and fishing charter experiences in the san juan islands of washington state. The best place in the world to see orca aka killer whales, and more. How far in advance of my tour does the shuttle arrive. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island adventures.
Experience the thrill of seeing orca whales, seals, porpoises and so much more wildlife on one of our whale watching trips off the san juan islands near seattle. 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. Whale watching in the san juan islands is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge. Get up close with the killer whales off orcas island, the largest of the san juan islands near seattle, on this guided, 3. The museum portion of the tour will occur after the 1hour optional whale watch. 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. Killer whales, also known as orcas, are one of the most recognizable and beloved marine species on the planet. Orcas island eclipse charters 2020 all you need to know. The guarantee applies to scheduled tours that occur between june 10th and september 10th. Small group whale watching tours on the fastest boats in the region with guaranteed whales. Take your best shot at kayaking with killer whales near seattle, wa. Come out on our family friendly vessels and see orca whales, humpback whales, gray whales, porpoises, seals, sea lions, otters, bald eagles and much more. Orcas island san juan safaris san juan island whale. Our team of highly qualified crew set us apart from the competition.
Experience nature first hand with our knowledgeable. The 10 best things to do in orcas island 2020 with photos. On both we travel throughout the waters of the salish sea, discovery passage and johnstone strait viewing killer whales and humpback whales. Orcas island whale watching boat charters websites directory. Whale watching in washington washington waterfronts. Why choose san juan excursions friday harbor whale watching. After about an hour on the ocean we saw a ton of whales. Whale watchers accused of loving endangered orcas to death.
Guaranteed whale watching tours from anacortes the worlds best opportunity to see wild orcas is right here in the san juan islands, february through november. What does an orcas island vacation booking with expedia include. We also offer the orca whale adoption program through the whale museum. 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.
Island adventures holds the industrys highest success rate and was the first company to guarantee whale sightings on every tour. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching whale. It showcases our resident orca whales and our two expedition managers. A naturalist guided nature cruise, an orca whale aka killer whales nature tour on orcas island s all weather family style boat. Every whale watch trip provides a unique adventure but with eclipse charters one thing remains the same, whales guaranteed. Ken has observed many species of whales and many other marine life from alaska all the way down to the sea of cortez in mexico and the atlantic ocean. Deer harbor charters is the first established whale watching company on orcas island. Enjoy an orca whale aka killer whales nature tour on orcas islands all weather family style boat and renew your spirit with nature. We have a trained naturalist on board and are waiting to share the adventure with you. Orca whale kayaking tours san juan island, washington. Boaters often stop at orcas for day visits, or to stay at one of the islands classic waterfront resorts.
Our orcas island whale watching tours depart from eastsound and cruise out through the san juan islands. Download our list of washington state whale watching. Marine adventure options continue with whale watching and charter tours that circle orcas and run all over san juan county. Who we are san juan excursions is family owned and operated by second generation islanders who love sharing the best of the san juan islands with visitors. We are the only whale watching company on orcas island, wa to offer a guarantee of encountering whales. Orcas island eclipse charters whale and wildlife tours. Best location in the san juan islands for whale watch departures. Why choose san juan excursions friday harbor whale. For some of the best whale watching in bc, head on the whale watch plus tour. The tour includes boat trip to the island, circumnavigation, walking on island to saddle lookout. The whale museum, located in beautiful friday harbor, washington, was opened to the public in 1979 as the first museum in the country devoted to a species livin. We are members of the pacific whale watch association which helped to develop the current standards for whale watching in the region. Our 3day, 2night microadventure includes scenic ferry rides, hiking or biking mt constitution, alpine lake swimming, lunch in eastsound, camping and soaking tubs at doe bay resort, and of course, local wine and beer. Tours typically last three to three and a half hours.
Just look for the free cancellation message during your hotel search. In summer, chances to observe orcas are best at the shores of washington and british columbia, particularly in the north of vancouver island and at the strait of georgia where the residents are following the salmon. We are so confident that we will find you whales that if you dont see a whale you can come again for free. Our whale watching tours just off the coast of victoria, british columbia view residential and transients orca pods, migrating humpback whales, grey whales and other marine animals. Whale watching whale watching in the san juan islands is one of the most popular pastimes for tourists in washington state. Orcas island eclipse charters whale watching tours. Around each corner expect to find a stunning view, an artists studio or other island treasure. Lopez island, orcas island, san juan island, friday harbor, outer islands, outside the islands. Interisland ferry service can take you to friday harbor in about 40 minutes be sure to check exact crossing times. Frequently asked questions about our whale watching tours.
For a dose of the great outdoors, hop aboard a whale watching and wildlife tour. Go kayaking in san juan islands killer whale sanctuary. For guided kayak tours, check out members of the san juan island kayak association. Whale watching and wild life tours, boat charters, water shuttletransportation, private charters. 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. Come out and site orcas whales, gray whales, humpback whales, porpoises, seals, sea lions, otters, bald eagles, and much more. Whale watch tours in the san juan islands island adventures. The orca whale pods that frequent the san juans arent as common around orcas island. We have two different whale watching tours to choose from. 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.
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