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

Sat 26 Oct

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $135.00

Make a reservation

Sat 26 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)

Jacob h

Nov 2015

I've been whale watching all over the U.S. and non have been as spectacular as my trip with San Juan Safaris. Everyone was friendly among our small group aboard the Sea Lion and the crew was very impressive. Captain Brian is an Orca guru! The naturalists on board are incredibly knowledgeable, approachable, and pretty good looking too. They created a personal experience that highlighted not only the whales, but also the enormous variety of mammals, birds, and other wildlife and the ecosystem as a whole. San Juan Safaris is simply the best for visitors of all ages, backgrounds, and watching experience. In sea of choices, the company you choose definitely matters, and San Juan Safaris goes the extra (nautical) mile to be helpful, accommodating, and fun. I couldn't recommend them highly enough. I know I will be back with SJS as soon as I am back in Washington.

bdavis1975

Nov 2015

At first I thought we were lucky. Over time, I started to recognize the amazing amount of skill involved in positioning the boat. Captain Brian was constantly one step ahead of the pack. Has he decoded the orca language? Possibly! I knew my wife and I were going whale watching but, we didn't know if choosing one company over another mattered. I'm happy to say that I owe a buddy a six pack for recommending San Juan Safaris!

Olivia W

Nov 2015

Our trip on the water was fantastic. I came rather late in the season, in October, but we saw tons of amazing marine mammals anyway. Rocks overflowing with sea lions and harbor seals, grey whales, minke whales, sleeping sea lions floating in the water. The naturalists on board know so much about the ecosystem and its inhabitants - even the bird life! They keep in communication with other boats to keep track of where to find the wildlife. All the crew was super fun. If you want to take a whale tour, book San Juan Safaris.