Whale Watching from Friday Harbor

Overview

The best orca whale watching is from Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, just an easy day trip adventure from downtown Seattle. The San Juan Islands are considered the "jewel" of the Pacific Northwest, located in the Puget Sound.

City: San Juan Islands

Mon 28 Oct

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $135.00

Make a reservation

Mon 28 Oct

Starting at $135.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Whale Watching Cruise

Local taxes

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
For maximum safety children under 2 should be in a harness carrier strapped to a parent and remain in the cabin
"Special Limited" tour not recommended for child aged 13 and under
Restrooms are available on board the boat
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
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
50% capacity on vessels

What To Expect

San Juan Island

San Juan Island is considered the best place to view orca whales because the salmon, which are their prime source of food (about 95% of what they eat), travel up and down the west coast of San Juan Island and outlying areas. Take this Whale watching tour and see orca whales which has been viewed on over 90% of the tours with the possibility of spotting minke, humpback and gray whales to be higher. What is the best time to see orca whales? Anytime. They are out and about all day. You will be guaranteed see marine mammals and come back with memories to last a lifetime! Enjoy the beauty of San Juan Island on an exclusive Whale Watch Cruise from Friday Harbor. Sail aboard the fast, new 55 foot MV Sea Lion (with windowed, heated cabin, which seats up to 24 guests). 40 or fewer guest aboard this comfortable boat with walk around deck.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (660)

Tommy R

Jun 2017

The staff were courteous and professional and very knowledgeable. We had a great time and saw not only a pod of transient orcas but also a grey whale which is very rare for those waters. I would recommend San Juan Safaris to anyone wanting to take a whale watching tour on San Juan Island.

Response from Host

Jun 2017

Hi Tommy! Thank you for taking the time to share a few words about you tour experience. Reviews like your's help build our future, and for that we cannot thank you enough! So glad that you encountered not only killer whales, but also a gray whale here in the San Juans during your San Juan Safaris tour. A very rare and impressive sight! Thank you again for choosing San Juan Safaris, and we hope to see you back in the San Juans in the future. Brian Goodremont Owner & Operator San Juan Safaris

theCarlaMarie

Jun 2017

The people at San Juan Safaris do everything possible to not only ensure you see some incredible things but they do their best to teach you everything they possibly can during your excursion. Their knowledge is remarkable. I was able to see a family of killer whales and a humpback whales as well as sea lions and a bald eagle.

Response from Host

Jun 2017

Wow Carla! Thank you for your kind words. We work very hard for our guests, and strive to share our knowledge regarding the biology and ecology of the Salish Sea. It sounds like we succeeded! Glad you had a great day with orcas and humpbacks. Amazing! Be sure to stop by the next time you find yourself in the San Juans. Thanks again! Brian Goodremont Owner & Operator San Juan Safaris

WiggleMore

Jun 2017

I traveled with San Juan Safaris a few weeks ago. I have gone on whale watch tours across the world and I have lived by the ocean, but no experience can exceed what this crew out of Friday Harbor put together. We left the dock with an honest detailing from the captain on what whales we might see. The naturalists described the local fauna, and through their passionate prose displayed their understanding of the unique ecosystem. After seeing a group of harbor seals basking on a northern island, we motored north into a swarm of harbor porpoise, with a minke whale and a pair of humpbacks surfacing nearby. We caught several glimpses of the large whales, and this in itself could have been a more than satisfactory trip, but the captain heard reports of more wildlife to the north. We traveled further into Canadian waters and found a pod of mammal-hunting orcas, who had allegedly just caught dinner. With a young calf and several raucous adults, they put on a dazzling show. While the trip was extended an hour more than expected, you could tell that guests and crew appreciated the bonus adventure. The efforts and knowledge of our guides, matched with an honest discussion of good ethics in wildlife viewing made this trip unforgettable. Thanks, San Juan Safaris!

Response from Host

Jun 2017

The whale trifecta! It's very rare to have three (yes, 3!) different whale species sightings in one tour. What an incredible experience! Thank you for your kind words regarding your captain and crew. We will always go the extra mile for our guests, and extend the tour whenever possible to reach whales on the edge of our travel rage. We look forward to seeing you in the San Juans in the future! Thank you again for sharing your kind review of your San Juan Safaris whale watch tour experience. Brian Goodremont Owner & Operator San Juan Safaris