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

New York City Tours

Unique Activities (21) Transfers & Transportation (103) Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises (113) Entry Tickets (47) Sporting Events (1) Good for Small Groups (6) Seasonal & Holiday Tours (41) Walking Tours (697) Outdoor Activities (20) Limitied Availability Tours (6) LGBT Friendly Tours (4) Family-friendly Activities (7) Solo Travelers' Tours (147) Food & Drinks (27) Travelers recommend (73) Good for Groups (8) Top Activities (18) Guided Audio Tours (3) Art, Culture & History (135) Attractions to explore (38)

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)

Allen_W225

May 2017

We booked the adventure tour which meant we took the high speed boat that was able to get us to several different areas quickly. On our afternoon, we saw several Orca whales, both male and female. Though the boat is very careful to follow the rules and not approach the within a certain distance of the Orcas, at least one turned in our direction while we were stopped and we were able to see it up close. It had the tall and erect dorsal fin that the males have. Though it was short sleeve weather on land, the company provided us with pants and jackets to be worn over our clothing as it gets quit cold out on the water in the sound.

40hansen

May 2017

Summary: Incredible service and unbeatable staff. Book now for an unforgettable experience! Full Version: San Juan Safaris is an upstanding establishment with outstanding services in every regard! I went on two of the "Classic Tours" with SJS, one at 11 am and one another evening. Both trips were flawless! Each time when I arrived at the front desk I was greeted by several very welcoming receptionists who made the sign in process very simple and reminded me of what to expect before embarking on our adventure. Since I was exploring the island for several days, throughout my trip I even swung by a couple times and got some awesome suggestions for restaurants, hiking trails, and cool vantage points all around the island! Upon commencement of the trip, I was greeted by equally as friendly and highly knowledgeable naturalists and crew members. They all did an exceptional job of clearly introducing and discussing the wildlife with us and not a single question went unanswered. It was very clear that the entire staff was passionate about the wildlife and highly qualified for everything that was going on. They delivered to us sightings of humpback whales, porpoises, seals, sea lions, jellyfish... The list goes on! Truly gorgeous! Safety was never a concern as crew members properly addressed all lingering concerns and even provided blankets and rain ponchos to keep us all comfortable. A bathroom was available on the boat I was aboard, which was a very nice luxury! Nobody on either of my trips felt any seasickness as the ride was always smooth and steady. The SJS website has a thorough list of what to bring on your trip, I suggest reviewing that before heading out! Neither San Juan Safaris nor anyone else could provide a better service than they do. Welcoming staff, educational services, and unforgettable sights will fill your travels with wonder and leave you with the experience of a lifetime. Thanks San Juan Safaris!

Response from Host

May 2017

Wow Jake! Thank you for you for sharing a review of your San Juan Safaris whale watch & wildlife tour experience. Our number #1 goal is to provide our guests with a high-quality and responsible wildlife viewing experience, closely followed by excellent customer service. It sounds like we exceeded your expectations all around. Thank you for choosing San Juan Safaris, and please visit us again on your next San Juan Island adventure. Brian Goodremont Owner & Operator San Juan Safaris

Timothy D

May 2017

The guides were really great and very knowledgeable. We saw so many whales (orcas, a humpback and harbour porpoises)!