Orcas Island Whale Watching

Overview

Small group whale watching tours on some of the fastest boats in the region with GUARANTEED WHALES! See whales with us or come again for FREE.

City: San Juan Islands

Wed 23 Oct

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $109.00

Make a reservation

Wed 23 Oct

Starting at $109.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

3-4 hour tour

Professional guide

High Speed Vessels

8.1% Washington State sales tax and applicable fees. The taxes and fees are required by the governing authority and not within local supplier's control

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
This tour departs from Orcas Island. The island can only be reached by the Washington State Ferry System. If your party is not already on island we recommend our Anacortes departure location.
Check in begins 30 minutes prior to departure.
Face masks required for travellers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
We have limited the passenger loading to 50% of seat capacity and increased our sanitation measures.

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (297)

GrammaFun2015

Oct 2018

We had such an exceptional whale watching trip, I've scratched whale watching off my bucket list!! We watched 2 California Orca pods teach their babies how to hunt sea lions. For 45 minutes we were in awe of these beautiful ocean mammals. The Captain and the Naturalist were so excited, we knew we were in for a treat. Both Captain and the Naturalist were so informative, I learned facts about Orcas I've never heard before and I have lived my life in Washington state. The weather was beautiful, I couldn't have planned a better day. Thank you Outer Island Excursions.

Response from Host

Mar 2019

Thanks for sharing your trip experience! We are lucky enough to have a unique experience every time we encounter whales on our trips. To witness Orca calves learning feeding techniques is pretty special! Glad you learned something new from our enthusiastic staff. Our 2019 season is underway, we'd love to have you out with us again!

SharonmsD

Oct 2018

On April 21, 2018, my sister and I were supposed to be on a whale watching tour with Outer Island Excursion on Orcas Island. After checking in and stepping onto the boat, I did notice the boat was poorly kept and was very crowded, but didn't think too much of it at the time. after finding our seats, I stepped forward in to the tight space of the tiny culprit to observe where could be the best spot on the boat for whale watching as it was very crowded. When I turned around to come back into the passenger compartment, the threshold between the tight culprit and passenger compartment was at least 6" tall. There was no bright color paint nor warning sign around the narrow doorway of the tall threshold which caused me to trip and fall very hard on my head. As the isle between two rows of seats was very narrow and my hands couldn't instinctively stretch out to protect my head against hitting the floor. It turned out my whole body weight was on the impact of my head against the floor and caused my forehead to split open 1.5 inches right above my left eyebrow. I wasn't able to get up for a couple of minutes. My sister was terrified. When I finally bought myself up from the floor with a couple of people's help, blood was gushing down my face. 911 was called. A couple of staff was rummaging in the first aid kit, but couldn't find anything to help me stop the bleeding or wiping the blood off my face. Finally after more than 10 minutes had past, a passenger handed me his kleenix. After 911 came, they bandaged me up and instructed my sister to drive me to the local clinic where a doctor was called to help me. A week later, on 4/28/2018, a friend accompanied me back to Orcas Island. I wanted to take pictures of the boat on which I fell. I couldn't find it any more. One of Outer Island staff told me, it was retired. After almost 6 months, my wound is healed and there left a scar on my forehead. A couple of days ago, I called the owner of the company, Beau Brandow, and asked to file a claim on the accident. The way he handles the situation and my request is extremely upsetting!! He was rude and aggressive to me on the phone and said he would pay me $500 and told me to take it or leave it. If I didn't take it right then and there, I would receive nothing. The impact my head hit on the floor could have cost my life if it were solid floor. I was fortunate that underneath the fiberglass floor, it was the engine room. As for the way this company operates and the dangerous conditions of the boat I was on, they should be put out of business! Otherwise someone else not as fortunate as I could be killed. There were many eye witnesses on the boat if the passenger records of that tour could be obtained.

revkevhop

Oct 2018

I've used Outer Island Excursions many times in the past four years. When guests come from out-of-town, whale watching is always high on the list of things they want to do. With Outer Island, you can leave from Anacortes or Orcas Island - we prefer the Orcas Island departure. They have a guarantee that you'll see whales, or the next trip is on them. In 8-9 excursions, we've never failed to find the whales! Depending on the season, you'll almost always see harbor seals, harbor porpoise, smaller sea lions, eagles, deer and other wildlife - you may see Gray Whales, Humpback Whales, Minke Whales, Stellar Sea Lions (giant beasts), and Dall's Porpoise (these guys are a blast if you get into the midst of a school!) The captains are expert at navigating the Sound and respecting the whales' space. The naturalists are informative and fun! They can answer simple questions, or help with identifying certain Orcas. They'll help you distinguish a resident Orca from a transient. Eat before you sail and catch the potty before you sail. The boat has snacks and a tiny head. Their snacks are granola bars and candy bars. You'll have a better experience if you take some good snacks along. Mind your trash please? No matter the season - it's cooler out on the Sound than on land. TAKE A JACKET! Even if it's 90 degrees on land, if you're going out on the afternoon/evening excursion, it can cool off fast out on the water. You'll thank me. Sunglasses, a hat, and binoculars are essentials. If you're going out in the earlier spring, or later fall, pack a pair of light gloves. Most of the boats have two levels. Upstairs you can see farther. Downstairs you're closer to the animals that get close. If you're going in the later Fall....get a space in the cabin. In the summer, you'll want to stake out a seat on the upper deck. Now...make your reservations and have a blast!!! Remember to tip the captain at the end of the journey. It's just gracious.