We always like to say that no two whale watching tours are the same. Seaspan, the shipping federation of canada, washington state ferries, zim. Price, convenience, and quality we feel that we offer the best of all three. Killer orca whale watching seattle to san juan islands. Washington designated the orca whale orcinus orca as the official state marine mammal in 2005 due to the research and persuasion of secondgraders from crescent harbor elementary school in oak harbor, washington.
Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. 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. Our experienced, passionate team of captains and naturalists love to share our vast knowledge of whales, wildlife, and their beautiful pacific northwest home with travelers from near and far. All state mammals this symbol is intended to promote orca awareness and to encourage protection of the natural marine habitat. Whale watching industry adopts guidelines for ecotourism. During peak season orcas are encountered on 90% or more of tours.
I love the outdoor, and being constantly surrounded by snowcapped mountains, rain forests, and a plethora of wildlife that i had never. Enjoy the experience of a lifetime with seattles only halfday, guaranteed whale watching tour. The pacific whale watch association is one of the most progressive ecotourism business associations in the world. Download the watching whales in the san juan islands brochure. Download our list of washington state whale watching. That question has become more urgent in washington state, where. The goal of this site is to help give a little more insight to the whale watching industry and to help the consumer make the best decision for what is going to work. Download our whale watching brochure to learn out about whale swimming patterns and habits, such as breaching, spyhopping and diving.
In the mid1990s, long before federal mandates, we developed a dynamic set of local whale and wildlife viewing guidelines. The lewis and clark interpretive center is a great place for whale watching on the washington coast, offering fantastic views from 2oo feet above the pacific ocean on the cliffs of cape disappointment state park. Whale watching tours in washington state that provide responsible whale watching. Whale watching in washington state orca whale watching. Anyone can do that by downloading the whale report app on a smart phone. Please enter your email address below and our list will be automatically emailed to you. Whale watcher on san juan island washington state travel. Does anyone know if this is a good time to whale watch. Whale watching in washington state with so many different departure locations, companies, and boat styles to pick from when choosing a whalewatching trip, it can get confusing. Nature lovers will find many opportunities to observe whales and other marine mammals, bald eagles, and a variety of shore birds and waterfowl in their natural habitat. The association has worked with scientists, noaa and industry leaders to assist in writing the whale watching guidelines and best practices. Could you please advise on what islandor can we stay in downtown seattle and take cab over to where we need to catch ferry. Start planning for your next fishing trip with the 20192020 washington sport fishing rules pamphlet, now available from the washington department of fish and wildlife wdfw.
The southern resident killer whales, also known as blackfish or orcas, frequent the west side of san juan island from late spring through early autumn. Whale watching season in washington state its on the list to do while living at jblm saved from. While we do not guarantee whale sightings on our tours, 20 years of sightings data shows that we do have a 90% chance of seeing whales during the peak months of june september. Whales, dolphins and porpoises oregon department of fish.
In march 2018, inslee issued an executive order directing state agencies to take. Whales, dolphins and porpoises are cetaceans aquatic mammals. Download our brochure whale watching trips, wildlife cruises. The public can download the whalereport app and report sightings to commercial mariners within 10 nautical miles of the whales to help avoid.
This week, washington state ferries will be the first to use the whalereport alert system throughout puget sound, which will alert captains to credible whale sightings in the area. Every april, just off the breaking waves along the washington coast, 18,000 gray whales make their way slowly up the washington coast. The washington state native nation has asked the national oceanic and atmospheric administration to waive federal marine mammal protections that ban the hunt, and they believe the law is on their side. Id like to go to seattle for several reasons but my main reason would be to whale watch. This week, washington state ferries will be the first to use the. Whale watching in washington washington whale watching tours. Our five departure locations anacortes, everett, and port angeles are strategically set up to offer the best whale viewing opportunity. Fares are less expensive in the off season lateseptember through midmay. A native american tribes request to resume its sacred canoe and harpoon hunts of federally protected gray whales off the washington state. Commercial whale watching in the san juan islands is roughly 25 years old. I highly doubt you will see any orcas in october in this area of the pnw if you go out one day on a boat in that month. A southern resident orca whale swims in puget sound in view of mount rainier.
Over the years, weve built as comprehensive list as possible of washington state whale watching that we feel should be among your consideration when seeking to enjoy a washington state whale watching. The question of whether boatbased watching tours are really harmless has become more urgent in washington state, where southern. The pacific whale watch association has 32 members in washington state and british columbia, including san juan cruises of bellingham, victoria clipper in. Wsf runs yearround, though on seasonal schedules throughout the year. In recent years, march may and october november, have had similar sighting success. Over the last decade the boats have become larger and faster, and the captains have become better at prediction the location of the whales on any given day. Whale watching washingtons waterways and shorelines are teeming with wildlife and make for a perfect outdoor classroom. Considered the premier location to view wild orca killer whales, the waters around san juan island are ideal for whale watching. Whale watching season in washington state its on the list to do while living at jblm. Join puget sound express for whale watching tours on the fastest, most comfortable boats in the nw. Washington state whale watching washington waterfront real.
With over 100 sites and signs hugging the pacific coast from british columbia all the way down to southern california, the whale trail is your best guide and. Whale watching in washington state orca whale watching in. Going whalewatching in september the seattle times. Draft washington state status report for the killer whale. Wish that we could have spent way more time in washington, i guess well just have to plan another trip. Nov 03 i washington department of fish and wildlife draft washington state status report for the killer whale prepared by gary j. You may spot these on one of the islands web of hiking trails, many near or along the shore the same terrain that makes for somewhat easy cycling makes for plenty of opportunities for nottoostrenuous hiking. That would allow it to interact with the gray whale without. My dates are flexible but i would prefer to go in april. I spend most of my time in the freshwater streams and estuaries along the coast of. These killer whales are the most researched marine mammals in the world, and whale watch naturalists know the whales individual nicknames and.
Experience wa washington state vacation puget sound. The greatest whale watching value in the state just 30 minutes from seattle. Whale watcher on san juan island by christopher livesay. Southern resident orca whale recovery governor jay inslee. Port townsend and san juan island whalewatching tour from puget sound express up to 47% off. But both washingtons southern resident orcas and chinook salmon are. Located on san juan island with no more than 2,500 residents, friday harbor is accessible by floater planes and the washington state ferry. The season they are usually seen is late may to early september. Whether you are planning a whale watching tour in the san juan islands or would rather do some. Washington state ferry fares to the san juan islands paid at the anacortes terminal include round trip travel. Washingtons 20192020 fishing regulations now available. Gray whales feeding on the nutrient rich bottom of grays harbor near ocean shores, washington.
Friday harbor, the witchy setting for the 1998 film practical magic starring nicole kidman and sandra bullock, is a whale watching hot spot. Read more about our commitment to responsible ecotourism here. Washington state tribes whale hunting request triggers. Seattle waterfront seattle area downtown seattle seattle skyline san diego san francisco the places youll go places to see san antonio. The graywhale season will have ended, but there should be opportunities to see orcas, minkes and perhaps humpbacks. See orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, gray whales and all the majestic wildlife in the salish sea on our tour departing from edmonds just minutes north of downtown seattle.
Vacation whale watching activities in washington state. Whale watching in the san juan islands is a unique opportunity to gain. Also whale behavior does not change based on the time of day. Below are just a few locations youll likely be able to see whales during migration without getting seasick. Depending on the time of year, however, gentler species such as humpbacks and gray whales can also be enjoyed. In mexicos stunning magdalena bay, humans and whales meet up. My boyfriend and i would like to take a trip up to seattle to whale watch. Best time to whale watch in seattle seattle message. Coast guard approved whale watching vessels from san juan island near seattle, wa. Whale watching in washington washington waterfronts.
From the initial sighting of the spray rising from the ocean swells, to the smell of the fishy odor of the spout, your first glimpse of a whale is something that you reminisce about for your entire life. Whales native to washington state include orca whales, gray whales and. Whale watching in washington is one of the top things to do on a visit to the main city of seattle or the popular san juan islands. Our cruises offer a gaurantee that if you do not see whales on you cruise you can come again free of charge. These include the mighty gray whale, the aweinspiring killer whale, and the charming and intelligent bottlenose dolphin. We are proud members of the pacific whale watch association formerly known as whale watch operators association northwest.
Do whale advocates in washington state endorse whalewatching practices in baja. Download our whale watching wildlife cruises, friday harbor, san juan island, washington brochure, download and print our full color brochure. It is hard to say whether the morning is better or the afternoon is better, because usually if we have whales in the area we will see them on both trips. For guided kayak tours, check out members of the san juan island kayak. You can also charter any of the vessels for a private whale watch and wildlife tour or schedule a water taxi to one of the surrounding islands.
Everett whale watching deals in everett, wa groupon. With 3 vessel sizes and 2 departure locations, there is sure to be a vessel that suites your needs. Location is just off hwy 101, four miles southwest of ilwaco at the foot of the long beach peninsula. Depart from port townsend on the olympic peninsula for 4 hour and daylong tours, or depart from seattleedmonds for the metros only halfday whale watching tour. Whale watching just 90 miles from seattle in friday harbor on san juan island. Federal regulations and the be whale wise guidelines. The best time to see killer whales in the san juan islands. Puget sound whale watchers accused of loving endangered.
San juan island whale watching day trip from seattle, wa. Whale watching tours depart daily from orcas and san juan island allowing an opportunity for viewing the whales in the wild. Connecting you to your military neighbors, northwest military is the home of the ranger and nw airlifer newspapers. I can honestly say that moving to washington state has been one of the greatest decisions that i have ever made. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching. When it comes to whale watching in washington state, orcas are the stars of the show and for good reason. My mom named me that because i swim through the water with beautiful, graceful movements. The best orca whale watching is from friday harbor, san juan island, just an easy day trip adventure from downtown seattle. San juan excursions whale watching washington whale.
In the 1990s whale watch vessels would leave the docks with little more than a. Whale watchers accused of loving endangered orcas to death. Island adventures has the tour for you, regardless of where you are in washington state. Yearround guaranteed whale watching in washington island. Hes referring to a 2017 noaa fisheries study which recorded the sound of tour boats from the perspective of the orcas, via. Help washington state ferries track whales in puget sound with. There are about 80 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises with 10 of those in the waters off oregons coast. I know a friend of mine who used to be a whale watch guide on boats here tells me that august is even a iffy month for spotings as they are already starting to move out of the area often even in late august. This special limited season focuses on gray whales that migrate along the west coast, stopping to feed in local. Orcas can be seen here yearround and possess a formidable reputation in terms of power, agility and fierceness. Whale watching from land if youre looking to whale watch from shore, there are many locations along the west coast from california to washington. The shores and waterways of washington state is filled with aquatic life like the minke, humpback and the california gray whales. If youre a nature lover, expect to see bald eagles and a great variety of water birds on lopez island, along with blacktailed deer and lots of rabbits. Members of the public are encouraged to download the whalereport app and.
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