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 06 Jul

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $135.00

Make a reservation

Sun 06 Jul

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)

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.

Jill R

Sep 2015

We took out-of-town guests from NY on a whale watching trip with San Juan Safaris. It was everything we could have hoped for! We saw minke, orca, and humpback whales, and our guests couldn't have been more thrilled. We were impressed with the knowledge and friendliness of the wildlife guides. We took the Anacortes ferry as walk-ons, meet our guide, went on the 3 hour tour, had dinner in Friday Harbor overlooking the waterfront, and caught the ferry back just as the sun was setting. Perfect end to a very nice day.