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

Wed 30 Apr

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $135.00

Make a reservation

Wed 30 Apr

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

What To Expect

San Juan Island

San Juan Island is considered one of the best place to view wild orca whales because the surrounding nutrient rich water of the Salish Sea. These nutrients draw all types of marine animals, including large marine mammals like orcas. Take this Whale watching tour and see orca whales, during peak season we have a 90-95% success rate of spotting orca, minke, humpback and gray whales. What is the best time to see orca whales? Anytime. They are out and about all day. Aside from whales, many other marine mammals like harbor seals and stellar sea lions, as well as various sea birds, bald eagles and some unique terrestrial mammals are all common sightings! You'll definitely 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 (728)

Izzy S

Dec 2015

I went on a whale watching tour with San Juan safaris in October. First and foremost, captain Mike did an incredible job of giving the whales a lot of space while still giving me and the rest of the people on the boat great opportunities for awesome views! Not only was it great seeing whales, sea lions, bald eagles, porpoise, and all types of exotic creatures on Spieden island, we took an excursion all the way up to Vancouver Island in Canadian territory and saw places I would normally never get to. We saw a pod of transient mammal hunting killer whales! And even got to see them on the hunt!! I took my parents out from the Midwest, and they went home and told all their friends about it and still bring it up to me every single time we talk. Living in this area for over a year, I thought I knew a lot about the wildlife and geography of the area however Mike and Sarah the naturalist on board taught me a significant amount information and I left the whale watching tour well educated! Thank you guys for an amazing, memorable day. I cannot wait to come back!

Sara F

Dec 2015

WOW! I am still blown away at my amazing whale watch experience with San Juan Safaris. From start to finish, it was such an incredible and organic experience. Brendan the tour guide was SO knowledgable, and made it relatable and interesting. The Sea Lion was surrounded by Killer Whales at one point- It was like an Orca party out there. The Captain was careful about his moves to be respectful to the animals and the environment. A++ all around, I can't wait to go back.

gricha00

Dec 2015

So we(me, wife and two children under 12) took this trip in late november, which is not in prime whale spotting season, hoping for the best but trying to check our expectations in check. Well I must admit I was pleasantly surprised when Capt. Brian and our naturalist Sarah stripped from their cold weather gear and donned snorkels and scuba gear and personally dove into the frigid waters of the pacific to search the depths for whales for us to spot.......ok i exaggerate a tad, but i believe if i had asked they would have. Simply put...THESE GUYS ARE AMAZING!!!! Although wildlife is of course 'wild' and certainly unpredictable, Capt.Brian's knowledge put us in the best area for spotting and as luck would have it we spotted a duo of humpback whales. Capt. Brian expertly guided the boat along with the whales allowing for plenty of photo ops. Following plenty of time with the whales we moved on and Capt. Brian put us on some stellar sea lions, bald eagles, a seal or two and other local wildlife. Our naturalist Sarah was amazing! Very friendly, very upbeat (despite the cold) and a fountain of knowledge. She's a walking talking wikipedia of whales!! odontocetes vs mysticetes? baleen vs toothed? flukes, blowholes, lengths, weights, how long they gonna stay under? sarah knows this! penniped?..seals vs sea lions? she's got that too! The heres and theres of the san juan islands and the surrounding landscape?..on it! What makes the trip is having a captain like Brian who performs and knows his job as expertly as he does and a naturalist like Sarah who can inform you with every piece of information you want to know about what you are seeing. Booking is easy and they are very informative and honest up front about you may and may not see on your trip. The boat itself is top notch and is basically yours to roam about and use during the trip. Small things like providing blankets and extra jackets on a cold day and even Sarah sharing the photos she personally took show they are more about it being a good experience for you rather than just running you out to the water and back and collecting a check. If you're in Seattle go to San Juan Island. if you're on San Juan Island take a tour with San Juan Safaris. Get outside. Get some fresh air. See some wildlife These guys are AWESOME.