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 12 Jan

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $135.00

Make a reservation

Sun 12 Jan

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)

Linda N

Oct 2014

My sister and I were visiting the San Juan Islands for the first time. We were excited about going on a whale watch since it would be a new experience for both of us. It rained hard that morning but stopped before we got on the boat. We had two naturalists on board with us and they were very excited about the sightings. We saw a Humpback Whale, Orcas, Sea Lions and Pacific White-sided Dolphins. Sarah, one of the naturalists on board was excellent. Very knowledgeable and so excited about each whale we saw. I highly recommend taking this trip with San Juan Safaris.

miriama59

Sep 2014

I've wanted to go on a whale watching cruise since I was a teenager. I am now 54! It was important to me that this be a cruise well worth waiting for. There were four of us: My husband and I, our 19-year-old daughter, and our 7-year-old granddaughter. Let me tell you, it was amazing. They gave us binoculars which was great since we forgot ours. There were guides that talked to us, explaining that while we were not guaranteed a whale sighting there would be lots of wildlife to see. And that all the cruises keep in touch with each other and share sightings with one another . I was impressed by that. It didn't take long for us to see the whales...a family! It was amazing. My granddaughter walked around the boat talking to passengers, taking pictures and even talked to the captain who very kindly let her take his picture. What a great group of people. The whole experience was fantastic and I would do it again.

CarolK701

Sep 2014

6 September 2014 trip - Beautiful scenery; very professional staff; took 9 am ferry from Anacortes ~ 6:30 pm return same day. Saw a Tufted Puffin in a group of Gulls and Auklets; observed Stellar Sea Lions on two islands; saw many Orcas, sky-hopping, breech, etc.. Returning again for last day of watching for the season next month and planning now for 2015. Really like their MV Sea Lion for whale watching (have been Blue and Grey watching earlier this year in CA on larger vessels). The information the Naturalists shared about the individual whales (their catalog pod ID info, ages, behaviors, how the pods are structured, food sources of Resident vs Transient pods, and much more) was most informative. Highly recommend San Juan Safaris.