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

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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)

_susie_Oz

Aug 2019

This was an incredible experience, and we feel extremely lucky to have been able to see the residents on their brief return to the San Juans on 15 August, after having been last seen on 5 July. After kayaking for 3 days we were a bit disappointed that we hadn't seen any whales., and reading the blog from San Juan safaris, we knew there were one or two transients around, but to see them we had to do a 'proper' whale cruise. We chose San Juan safaris because we had been reading their blog, and they seemed knowledgeable and helpful. They were. Olivia our guide, and Gabe our captain, were funny, enthusiastic and obviously love not only their job but the wildlife of the region. We were lucky that the residents had cruised back in to town over night and Gabe took us to them, after a going north around the island (in what I suspect was a delay tactic to let the fog lift a bit so we could see more!). We got to the whales and soon saw them emerging from the fog (which coincidentally lifted 5 minutes after our arrival) and we interacted with this amazing, gorgeous whales for 20-30 minutes, always respectfully. Olivia was full of great information and so enthusiastic, she was obviously just as much in awe as we were. It was an amazing trip, one I will never forget, and this company was super professional and awesome!

Response from Host

Sep 2019

Hi _susie_Oz, Thank you so much for your kind review of your experience whale watching with us. We are so happy that we were able to share Southern Resident killer whales with you. This summer has been a record summer for Southern Resident killer whales in our waters, but not in a good way. Since research began in the 1970s, this was the record low of sightings of J, K & L pods here in the inland waters of the Salish Sea. On the flip side, this has been the record high year for viewing seeing Bigg's (or transient) orcas! Our tours have seen these amazing predators almost every day. Routinely there are at least 15-25 of these marine mammal eaters reported in the inland waters each day... on some days this summer there have been over 60 Bigg's killer whales reported around the islands! With this change in ecotype sighting, we have also seen a change in the way people have been viewing orcas. While historically it has been uncommon to see orcas while kayaking here in the San Juan Islands (it happened, but definitely was never the expectation of any guide on the water), this summer encounters with orcas on kayaks has proved to be incredibly rare... so we are so happy that you decided to come try your hand at viewing them via motor vessel! We love sharing the stories of these critically endangered animals, and that you felt as though you got to learn something about them from Olivia. We love employing professional, passionate people to lead our tours and I am so glad you enjoyed your time on the water with your crew. Come back and see us again, thank you again for your kind review! Brian Goodremont and the crew at San Juan Safaris Owner/Operator

flyfishingattorney

Aug 2019

1:30 PM whale watching departure on 8/15. EXCELLENT. We had our 5 year old and he had a blast. We saw many orcas, a dolphin, eagles and deer. Very nice ship. The ship was full but we didn’t have a problem seeing the whales. Excellent naturalists. They made sure everyone was comfortable, providing clean blankets. Clean bathroom. Be sure to bring food and water as none are available.

Response from Host

Aug 2019

Hi flyfishingattorney! Thank you so much for your kind review, we loved hosting your family out on the water! It sounds like you had a great time witnessing lots of wildlife on M/V Sea Lion with your naturalist team. Thank you for complimenting the cleanliness of our boat, we definitely love getting that feedback! Come see us agin if your ever back in the San Juan Islands! Brian Goodremont and the crew at San Juan Safaris Owner & Operator San Juan Safaris

MerrickOlives

Aug 2019

Well run whale watching tour. Staff (Erin and Brian) were professional and well prepared. Did a great job explaining the ocean habitat and wildlife. Experts in whales and did a great job finding active pods. Equipment was first rate and well maintained. One of the best tours our family has enjoyed.

Response from Host

Aug 2019

Hi MerrickOlives! Thank you so much for your kind review of your whale watch and wildlife tour! We are so excited that your experience out on the water with us was one of the best tours your family has ever taken! What a compliment! We love sharing wildlife with our guests and we are so happy that you enjoyed your time with us! Come back and see us if you're ever back in the San Juan Islands! Brian Goodremont and the crew at San Juan Safaris Owner & Operator San Juan Safaris