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

Fri 25 Oct

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $135.00

Make a reservation

Fri 25 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)

Caitlin O

Oct 2015

Great trip with San Juan Safaris!!!!!!!! Naturalist Sarah and Mike were extremely knowledgeable and helpful aboard the Sea Lion. Captain Mike went above and beyond to bring us to find orcas during our trip. We did have a bit of travel time to get to the whales, but it was worth it! We were treated to many excellent looks at these amazing creatures. On our trek back, we stopped to view harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and even some bald eagles. I would highly recommend friends and family to book with San Juan Safaris and would love to return on another trip soon!

Chilango M

Oct 2015

I enjoyed this whale watching tour. The boat is comfortable, the "staff" were very informative about the orcas, other wildlife in the area, and the environment in this area. They were also happy to answer everyone's questions and always had us looking in the right direction. Even the captain of the boat was cheerful (sometimes these captains can fit the stereotype of a cantankerous old guy). We were able to see both pods of orcas that are around the San Juan Islands in the summer into the early fall. We got close enough to see them well without getting right up on top of them and disturbing them. I did not give them a 5 star rating only because the price of the tickets was very high (even in off season) while I felt the staff was a little bit solicitous of tips. They can have reasonably priced tickets and tips. Or high priced tickets and no tips. But they can't have both. (This region of the US is very expensive, mostly because of high taxes and other self-induced high costs, and you often find people in the service industry trying to get their bread buttered on both sides).

archipenko

Oct 2015

Loved the M/V Sea Lion - nice size, not too large, fast and with shelter. Mike and Sarah were great at describing the wildlife and explaining the behaviour of the wonderful seals, sea-lions, humpback whales and transient orca that we saw on our trip. Whale watching isn't cheap, but I really can't fault this team and their enthusiasm and I'd whole heartedly recommend San Juan Safaris to anyone considering watching whales in this inspiring part of the Pacific North West.