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

Sun 27 Oct

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $135.00

Make a reservation

Sun 27 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)

Amy K

Jun 2016

We chartered a sunset trip for our wedding guests and had an AMAZING time!! San Juan Safaris picked us up off of Orcas Island, let us bring dinner on board with us for our 40 guests, and were incredibly welcoming and informative the entire trip! The boat was nice and clean with great indoor and outdoor room to move around. We also got to enjoy many whales along with other great sights! All of our guests raved about it being one of the highlights of their trip to the San Juan's! Thanks for helping make our wedding weekend one that our guests will never forget!!

Chris C

Jun 2016

Was my first time on a whale watching tour and I got exactly what I hoped for. Got to see orcas, A hump back whale, seals, sea lions, eagles. The crew were friendly, knowledgeable and always checking on everyone to see if they had any questions. We took a ferry from Anacortes and parked the car there for $10. and walked on, recommend doing that. San Juan Safaris is right next to where the ferry comes in. If it's a warm day and think you don't need layers on, think again. That boat gets up some speed and the wind is chilly. Also apply sun block, I didn't think about it and then....sun burnt. Thank you to the captain (who's name I forgot) Hannah and Alex. You made our day.

Rhoda Preston F

Jun 2016

"If you want a guarantee of seeing an orca, go to Sea World", our naturalists on the MV Sea Lion said after we boarded. With no expectations other than a safe journey in the Salish Sea, we departed snug and sunny Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA. The boat was immaculate and stable, and the crew knowledgable and charming. The many whale watching companies communicate with each other constantly regarding where orca sightings are occurring. Shortly after setting sail, Captain Pete plotted a course for an area in Haro Straight near the international border with Canada. While cruising there, we saw bald eagles wheeling overhead, pelagic cormorants and pigeon guillemots, and great blue herons amongst other sea birds. Of course the islands themselves are covered in various trees such as towering Douglas firs, western red cedar, madrone and even oak trees on Spieden Island. Within a half hour or so we entered somewhat less protected waters with swells and a little chop. It was there that we spotted a trio of orcas identified by their unique "saddle patches". It was an exciting and incredible experience observing these creatures. We paralleled them (outside of the legal designation of safe distance) for nearly a half hour. They stayed close together and were large, medium and small, surfacing regularly and moving steadily. One of them breeched completely out of the water. We loved it! This trio was identified as Jpod; Alki, Echo and Sonic (a calf). There are many websites, Facebook and Twitter accounts for each resident individual whale. (Cool!) We motored ahead of them a ways and spotted a large male orca named Mike; a sibling to one of the girls in the earlier group. His huge dorsal fin was impressive. All too soon it was time to turn back. We gently cruised between Henry Island and Roche Harbor. There we saw many sea lions and seals lounging in the sun on the rocks. There was a large flock of Canada geese walking their goslings on the shore. We saw more of the seals on Spieden Island and a bald eagle perched in a tree near the shore. I want to thank Geneva Dane for setting this up and going with me for this delightful 3 hour trip. She is a friend and employee of San Juan Safaris. Rhoda Flint