We had an amazing whale watching tour our boat captain and guide were very knowledgeable. The san juan islands are worldrenowned for orca research and whale watching and there are two different types of orcas. About orca whales san juan safaris san juan island whale. Be whale wise san juan islands washington visitors bureau. Whale watching on san juan island, wa whale watching. Weaning occurs between 6 and 10 months after birth. The most wonderful ways to whale watch in the san juan. Nonprofit looks to washingtons san juan islands for. The salish sea is home to many marine mammals, but most known as the home of the southern resident community of orcas or killer whales srkws. Baleen whales of the san juan islands humpback whale, gray whale, and minke whale.
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. Today, our museum continues to promote stewardship of whales and the salish sea ecosystem through education and research. Just a 90mile drive from downtown seattle, anacortes is a convenient starting point for your wildlife adventure no ferry required. Humpback whale san juan island national historical park u. For reference on the water, 300 yards is about three washington state ferry lengths or. 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. See orcas in the wild, learn about salish sea wildlife, and enjoy the ride into the whales world. The best time to see killer whales in the san juan islands.
Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles. Local tour companies leave from the three largest islands daily and can also be chartered. Take a boat ride to observe the orcas of the san juan islands and their habits all guides are experienced facilitators and regional experts. A guide to whale watching in the san juan islands, washington. Orcas island eclipse charters whale and wildlife tours. Drive your own car, a rental, or take a shuttle to the washington state ferry terminal in anacortes, wa. May 04, 2017 a day watching for whales and other sea creatures around the san juan islands. Orcas at eagle point san juan island wa rontukwila. Theres nothing i love better than taking a ferry up through the islands. Be whale wise san juan islands washington visitors. I am not a big fan of whale watching cruises, but it for most people it is about seeing and hearing orcas in the wild not a photograph.
Anacortes is our flagship location where island adventures first began back in 1996. Whale watching and wildlife tours in the san juan islands, wa, usa. San juan islands whale watching tours are a great way to see all kinds of wildlife. San juan islands is loved for its waterfront and has lots of places to visit including whale museum and san juan islands museum of art.
Whale watching san juan islands friday harbor whale. Best place for whale watching in the san juan islands washington. We were watching a group of transients known as the t123s, when we received word that read the full article. Footage of my trip whale, and wildlife, watching in the san juan islands of washington state on july 17, 2011. San juan island whale watching day trip from seattle, wa. 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.
That allows us to cover lots of ground so to speak and show you as many of the whales and other animals that call the san juan islands home as possible. A killer whale called luna a life does not have to be human. San juan islands whale watching tours orcas, lopez, shaw. Today, the san juan islands are an important tourist destination, with sea kayaking and orca whalewatching by boat or air tours two of the primary attractions.
Friday harbor, wa united states whale cove san juan. About our vessel san juan excursions whale and wildlife. Whale friendly wildlife watching here are some guidelines to help you watch marine wildlife responsibly. Every once in a while, here in the san juan islands, we get an abundance of whales.
There are many opportunities to spot whales throughout the san juan 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. The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see orca whales in the wild. A day watching for whales and other sea creatures around the san juan islands. Print a map san juan safaris san juan island whale watching. The leaders of the whale sanctuary project say a cordonedoff bay or cove somewhere in the san juan islands could be the ideal home for orcas retired from theme parks. San juan island s lime kiln point state park is a prime whalewatching site with knowledgeable interpreters often on site.
That question has become more urgent in washington state, where southern resident killer whales that feed around the san juan islands in. They will take the time to explain the details of each activity, answer any questions, and demonstrate the use of all equipment. Download our brochure san juan islands whale watching. Males live to be 5060 years old, and females as much as 90 years. The salmoneating southern resident killer whales srkw primarily feed on a diet that is more than 85% chinookspeciessalmon. San juan island is the secondlargest and most populous of the san juan islands in northwestern washington, united states. Whale watching san juan vs orcas island san juan islands. Seattle whale watching san juan safaris san juan island. Killer whales are the largest of the dolphin family, reaching a body length of 30 feet, and weighing about 9 tons.
The trip up to friday harbor is beautiful, and we saw seals and even a bald eagles nest. Best location for guests coming from tacoma and the olympic peninsula. Whale watching in the san juan islands is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and. Download our whale watching wildlife cruises, friday harbor, san juan island, washington brochure, download and print our full. Magnificent orca or killer whales can be seen in the salish sea around the san juan islands year round. A whale watching trip from friday harbor is the perfect choice for any vacation in the pacific northwest, and being near the seattle, washington area makes it a great day trip as well. The calm waters near the san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to view wild orcas. Newborns are to 16 ft 4 to 5 m long and grow quickly from the highly nutritious milk of their mothers. Mayas legacy whale watching friday harbor, san juan island. The san juans as theyre referred to is an archipelago in the northwest corner of washington state between the u. How to get to friday harbor, washington on san juan island. Puget sound whale watchers accused of loving endangered. Zillow has 33 homes for sale in friday harbor wa matching san juan island. Be whale wise informs you on the local laws pertaining to marine mammals, as well as provides additional guidelines that will make you a safer boater and a steward of our natural resources.
The waters of washingtons san juan islands support a great diversity of wildlife and baleen whales are the largest of all marine species we see on our san juan islands kayaking tours. A few weeks ago, berty and i went with clipper vacations to experience the salish sea, go whale watching, and explore friday harbor in the san juan islands. May 03, 2014 april 2014 a whale watching tour of transient killer whales of the pacific northwest. Two ecotypes are commonly found in the salish sea the critically endangered southern residents j, k, and l pods and transient, or biggs, orcas. Choose from 145 hotels in san juan islands with prices starting from usd 40 per night.
The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see beautiful blackandwhite orca whales in the wild. Whale watching in the san juan islands the mandagies. Why whale watching in washington states san juan islands should be on your bucket list. 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. Humpback whale singing has been studied for decades, but scientists still understand very little about its function. When you arrive we have two office locations in friday harbor where you are welcome to drop in anytime. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. There are 172 named islands and reefs in san juan county, but only four of them are accessible by ferry. The plane arrives in time to enjoy the town for friday harbor and its many shops and restaurants. San juan island friday harbor wa real estate zillow. Southern resident killer whales returned to their usual summertime. A locals guide to whale watching in 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.
Into the whales world san juan islands washington visitors. There is nothing quite as spectacular as the sight of a pod of orca whales along the protected coastlines of the san juan islands. Whale watching is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and appreciate killer whales and the other marine wildlife in this region. Help support the southern resident orcas by making a. Whale watching in the san juan islands whale watching. The best time to see killer whales in the san juan islands this is one of the most asked questions that we get. San juan island is accessed via the wa state ferry that departs from anacortes, wa just 90 miles north of san juan island. Western prince whale watching, san juan island experience wa. Adventure whale watching in the san juan islands western. Whale watching in the san juan islands postcards to seattle. Download the watching whales in the san juan islands brochure. You may catch them passing by from some of the coastal locations on the whale. The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see. The most common way to get to friday harbor on san juan island.
Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington visitors. Smoking is not permitted in the suite or on the property of whale cove. 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. The san juan islands, a nebulous archipelago of approximately 172 landfalls, islets and eagle perches that lie splayed between the mouth of puget sound and vancouver island, bc, conjure up images of a sleepy american throwback where the clock last chimed in the 1970s, 60s or even 50s, depending on where you dock. 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 place in the world to see orca aka killer whales, and more. 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. Seaplane lands in friday harbor looking back at friday harbor. Today, we had 24 transient orcas and two humpback whales in the area. Our cruises offer a gaurantee that if you do not see whales on you cruise you can come again free of charge. Baleen whales of the san juan islands sea quest kayak. Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington.
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