That includes the whale tours by kayak, day kayak tours and overnight kayakcamping tours. The monument protects archaeological sites of the coast salish peoples, lighthouses and relics of early european american settlers in the pacific northwest, and biodiversity of the island life in the region. All of the vessels on these routes do have elevator access. In the summer months, the waters around the picturesque san juan islands play home to about 90 wild orcas, and san juan excursions has managed to get the majestic mammals to appear for photo ops and autographs on about 95% of all its tours. A subreddit for visitors and residents of the san juan islands, washington. History read about the history of the san juan island whale museum. Magnificent orca or killer whales can be seen in the salish sea around the san. 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. Orcas are undoubtedly one of the most fascinating creatures in the ocean. The monument was created from existing federal land by president barack.
There is no central source for the public to find out exactly when. San juan island is a scenic scape that proudly features beaches, orca pods and one of the countrys largest lavender farms. 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. Drive to anacortes, washington, and ride the anacortesfriday ferry to friday harbor on san juan island. The whale museum complete information about local whales and whales in general can be found at the the whale museum in friday harbor, a nationallyrecognized research. Sea quest kayak tours and whale watching trips 41,388 views. Using sightings data to predict the decrease in whale sighting days near the san juan islands, we. 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.
San juan islands water taxi between san juan islands, victoria and anacortes. Whale report blog whale watching san juan islands san. Oct 14, 2010 whale watching in the san juan islands. Enjoy an orca whale aka killer whales nature tour on orcas islands all weather family style boat and renew your spirit with nature. Since moving to the pacific northwest, ive been hoping for an orca encounter of my own, but thus far had fallen short. In the afternoon, we got off the boat to explore friday harbor for a few hours. For over 20 years, san juan safaris has been offering the highest quality whale watching tours with a focus on our guests experiences and respectful wildlife viewing. A locals guide to whale watching in the san juan islands. See more ideas about san juan islands, san juan, island.
Mayas legacy whale watching friday harbor, san juan island. National monument located in the salish sea in the state of washington. No, to view living whales in the san juans contact a whale watching company. The best place in the world to see orca aka killer whales, and more. San juan safaris sees more whales than anyone departing from friday harbor near seattle. Traveling here from seattle or vancouver, canada, takes roughly 3 to 4 hours. There are many whale watching tours available for those that dont have a boat, and for those of us that do, knowing where and when to find the whales is a real plus. Follow the whale trail san juan islands washington visitors. Worldclass whale watching, kayaking, biking, hiking, farmtotable dining, cozy lodgings.
San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching. In addition to hosting the worlds only whale museum the san juan islands are also home to washington states hidden treasure. Whale watching in the san juan islands is one of the most unique and special experiences one can have in the remote areas of washington state. Meet us at our launch site at snug harbor or use our complimentary shuttle from the ferry in friday harbor. During your visit, you might want to enjoy the biking and whale watching which san juan islands is known for. San juan outfitters is known for its low guide to guest ratio kayak tours. San juan islands lime kiln point state park is a prime whale watching site with knowledgeable interpreters often on site. Adventure whale watching in the san juan islands western. 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. More than 500,000 people annually go whale watching in the waters of washington and british columbia around the san juan islands.
Welcome to the official travel site san juan islands. Read about the history of the san juan island whale museum. Best location in the san juan islands for whale watch departures. We also offer the orca whale adoption program through the whale museum. Yes, visit the whale museums home page for more info. The perfect adventure for singles, couples, groups, and families no experience is necessary. We wondered if the humpback would get spooked or harassed. The j pod, which currently has about 25 individuals, is frequently seen along the western shore of the island and is the only pod that makes occasional appearances throughout the winter. Guides and outfitters san juan islands, washington. Orcas island eclipse charters whale and wildlife tours.
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. Pebbled beaches, stunning sunsets and deep green forests the san juan islands are inspiration for the senses. Oct 07, 2018 on august 12th, we encountered a humpback whale heading down san juan channel but soon after, we got a report of transients coming up san juan channel. Share events, news, history, culture, imagery, and anything else pertinent to the beautiful islands.
You can also get from seatac airport or downtown seattle to the san juan islands ferry terminal in anacortes on the airporter shuttle tel. The mooring lines of the san juan clipper land on the deck of the whale watching vessel. San juan outfitters is widely considered san juan islands premier sea kayak and whale watch tour company. Warm summer sun reflects off of downtown skyscrapers as the crew makes final preparations to embark on a. With guidance on visiting the whale museum on san juan island, camping in moran state park, and biking the 30mile loop on lopez island, moon san juan islands gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience. Whale watching in the san juan islands the mandagies. 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 over 20 years, san juan safaris has been offering the highest quality whale watching tours with a focus on. San juan transit 3603788887 hourly scheduled shuttles friday harbor to roche harbor. There are a great variety of whales travelling the waters here in the. Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles. Lime kiln point state park is the perfect place for whale watching, while pelindaba lavender farm will set you up with a lifetime supply of the fragrant purple plant. Print a map san juan safaris san juan island whale watching. Whale watching san juan islands friday harbor whale.
K pod has 19 individuals, and l pod, the largest of the southern resident pods, has 43. These three orca whale families come to the san juan islands each year may through september in search of their primary food source, the chinook salmon king. May 04, 2017 the mooring lines of the san juan clipper land on the deck of the whale watching vessel. These recordings were made by alex from netherlands on july 23, 2010 all people aboard the ship felt. Tours store marine naturalists training adopt orcas whale museum history. For passengers traveling in a vehicle who need access to an elevator, or who need extra space for a lift, please alert the ticket seller at the terminal prior to boarding the ferry so that.
During the summer time, weekends swell with other residents and the occasional tourist. The most wonderful ways to whale watch in the san juan. Today, the san juan islands are an important tourist destination, with sea kayaking and orca whale watching by boat or air tours two of the primary attractions. Best whale watching tour boat on san juan island western. San juan islands womens kayaking weekend rei adventures. On august 12th, we encountered a humpback whale heading down san juan channel but soon after, we got a report of transients coming up san juan channel. The victoria clipper ferry does daytrips to friday harbor and back, searching the sea for whales and other marine life around the san juan islands. Our tours depart from custom kayak docks and are led by naturalist guides. Residents of the san juan islands form three large family groups, or pods. This reputation developed from a commitment to the highest level of guest service, and our 2 exclusive sea kayak and whale watch facilities at roche harbor and friday harbor on san juan island.
San juan islands whale watching tours are a great way to see all kinds of wildlife. The calm waters near the san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to view wild orcas. San juan safaris offers one of the bestorganized and most professional trips in san juan islands in their new, fast 55foot boat, departing from friday harbor. With expert writers, firstrate strategic advice, and an essential dose of humor, moon handbooks. 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. Killer whale kayaking tours san juan islands kayak with orcas. We didnt find whales, but we did find wind, eagles and steller sea lions. Low guidetoclient ratio means your naturalist and captain are on deck with you in person.
The san juan safaris whale report brings trip reports from the salish sea. These transients were the t46s and we all held our breath to see what would happen when the humpback and orcas crossed paths. This location allows us to access all the major waterways the whales travel, and we often view whales within the haro. Be whale wise san juan islands washington visitors bureau. Trip members should be capable of ocean kayaking for up to 6 hours per day, in calm to moderately rough seas and weather conditions.
Whale watching in the san juan islands in addition to hosting the worlds only whale museum the san juan islands are also home to washington states hidden treasure. San juan safaris san juan islands 2020 all you need to. 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. There is nothing quite as spectacular as the sight of a pod of orca whales along the protected coastlines of the san juan islands.
The san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to see. Crystal seas kayaking 3 hour sea kayak tour in the san. Soak in the natural beauty of the pacific northwest aboard the finest whale watching vessel on the entire west coast, the island explorer 5. Join captain hobbes who grew up on the water in england and has been operating whale watch tours and passenger vessels in the san juan islands for 12 years. Fly into deer harbor, wa dhbdeer harbor seaplane base airport or westsound, wa wsx airport, and then pamper yourself by staying at one of 7 san juan islands luxury hotels. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and many other underrated species.
During your approximately fourhour cruise, youll travel among the spectacular natural beauty of the. Owner operated, 15 years of experience performing whale watch tours in the san juan islands. Why whale watching in washington states san juan islands should be on your bucket list. We have a trained naturalist on board and are waiting to share the adventure with you. The waters surrounding the islands are home base to several orca family groups, most notably the salmoneating southern resident j, k and l pods as well as marine mammaleating transient orcas. 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. We started our trip at 7am, and returned to downtown seattle at 7pm the same day. Our analysis focuses on boat and landbased whale watching in san juan county, the. San juan islands lime kiln point state park is a prime whalewatching site with knowledgeable interpreters often on site politically, the san juan islands comprise, by definition, san juan county, washington. These recordings were made by alex from netherlands on july 23, 2010 all people aboard the ship felt the same when the family group of orkas swim to the. San juan outfitters owns the exclusive kayak facilities at roche harbor, san juan island and kayak facilities in friday harbor, san juan island. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands.
Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island adventures. Of all the activities to enjoy here in the san juan islands, whale watching is one of the most spectacular. Warm summer sun reflects off of downtown skyscrapers as the crew makes final preparations to. These three orca whale families come to the san juan islands each year may through september in search of their primary food source, the chinook.
The san juan islands offer a unique opportunity during may through september to see orcas in the wild. Local tour companies leave from the three largest islands daily and can also be chartered. So this is where the resident orcas come every year to find their favorite fish. 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. Orca whale watching tours reservations san juan outfitters. See orcas in the wild, learn about salish sea wildlife, and enjoy the ride into the whales world. Whether you are looking for a chartered boat for some saltwater sport fishing, a whalewatching tour guide to show you the many orcas, eagles, seals, and other ocean wildlife that inhabit the puget sound area, or a bicycling outfitter on san juan island, orcas island, or lopez island to get you started, gowashington is your source for san juan islands guides and outfitters. San juan islands whale watching tours orcas, lopez, shaw. Although some businesses close or are open fewer hours, more and more businesses are staying open yearround, and there is plenty to do in the offseason. Whale rocks and long island was the place to be if you were a. Come aboard natsilane, named after an orca whale legend, a 30 albin fast express cruiser, and enjoy a comfortable heated cabin, with indoor and outdoor seating, restroom and snack bar. Download the watching whales in the san juan islands brochure. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching whale.
Seaplane lands in friday harbor looking back at friday harbor. Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles, and much more. Warm summer sun reflects off of downtown skyscrapers as the crew makes final preparations to embark on a journey to the series of emerald gems that make up the san juan archipelago. A glamping experience in the san juan islands in this case moran state park in orcas island has a minimum stay of two nights and in june can cost approx. The area where we paddle is deep nutrient rich water. Baleen whales completely lack teeth and filter small prey such as plankton, worms, and. Shaw island is the smallest of the four san juan islands served by the washington state ferries. Yes, the san juan islands seem like a seasonal place, but there is a population of about 16,000 people on the four main ferryserved islands, lopez, orcas, shaw, and 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. Baleen whales of the san juan islands humpback whale, gray whale, and minke whale. Humpback whales, minke whales, and, gray whales also call the region home. Aug 20, 2015 killer whale kayaking tours san juan islands kayak with orcas. Western prince has provided quality san juan island tours since 1986. 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.
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