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)

Deepak M

May 2017

This was the best ever whale watching experience of my life. Naturalist Laurin and Captain were able to spot ORCA and humpback whales very quickly and drove us parallel to whales for such a long time. Thank you very much to both of them ..i will definitely recommend San Juan Safaris and particularly this boat which can be driven fast to reach near the whales as soon as we spot them.

Response from Host

May 2017

Thank YOU Deepak, for sharing a review of your San Juan Safaris experience! We enjoyed having you on the water on our Adventure Whale Watch Tour aboard M//V Kestrel. We strive to provide our guests with the highest quality whale watch & wildlife tour experience in the Pacific Northwest, and it appears that Naturalist Lauren and Captain Gabe did just that! Thanks again for joining us, Brian Goodremont Owner & Operator San Juan Safaris

BaileyHempstead

May 2017

I took this tour the first week of May and was amazed. Our captain and crew were full of facts and knew exactly where to take us to find the action! We had orcas, stellar sea lions, harbor seals and several Eagles! We also caught up to a humpback whale which was magical! I have been sending everyone I know to this company and I can't wait for my next adventure with them!! Thanks captain Mikey and crew!!

Response from Host

May 2017

Thank YOU, Bailey, for choosing San Juan Safaris for your San Juan Island whale watch & wildlife tour. We are very glad to hear that we provided you with an excellent tour experience. Humpbacks and orcas!? You are right, sound like a magical day! We look forward to seeing you in the San Juans in the future! Brian Goodremont Owner & Operator San Juan Safaris

Faith R

May 2017

I was very anxious to go whale watching while visiting San Juan Island but was concerned about my ability to safely board and navigate on a boat due to recent leg surgery. The team at San Juan Safaris were very helpful when I checked in with them regarding accessibility of their vessel. They assured me that their vessel was one of the most accessible and it truly was ease to get on and off. The team pre-boarded me and three staff were on hand to ensure that the I had no problems getting settled on board. Once seated, they made sure I have a blanked to sit on and checked back with me several times through the trip to make sure I was doing fine. One return to harbour they were again very careful to make sure I had any assistance required getting on and off the boat. Thank you for all your care! The one disappointment was that we didn't get to see orca that day...but I don't think others did either. We did watch a pair of humpback whales and saw a variety of other wildlife so all in all a good day.

Response from Host

May 2017

Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Faith. We take the extra effort to accommodate guests with mobility limitations...every thing from private pre-boarding, to providing extra blankets and rain jackets for the duration of the tour. We are glad that we exceeded your customer service experience! Many thanks for your kind words regarding our staff and crew. You are correct is saying that no other whale watch companies in the San Juans encountered orcas on the day of your tour. April through mid-May is considered early season for encountering orcas, but is one of the best times of year to spot humpback whales, which is what your tour encountered. From April 1st through mid-May, we encountered whales on all but 6 days on the water, which is a spring record! Please be sure to join us again mid-June through mid-September, which is historically considered peak season for killer whale sightings in the Pacific Northwest. We look forward to seeing you in the San Juans again in the future! Brian Goodremont Owner & Operator San Juan Safaris