My husband and I just got back from our whale watching trip yesterday with San Juan Safaris and it was INCREDIBLE!!! First off, from the time we booked the trip, their communication has been stellar. They emailed in advance that there was a location change due to construction, but gave good clear directions & kept it very close to the ferry dock for easy walking access. (Just to note for all those visiting & unfamiliar with the area, Friday Harbor, where you get off the ferry to take your whale watching trip has everything relatively within walking distance including many shops, restaurants, and the boarding dock of both the ferry and where you go to get on the whale watching boat. However, due to our trip going longer than expected, most shops close at 5pm, just after we got back so we were limited on places to go while waiting for the next ferry. Disabled access is limited and you may still want a car available. Wheelchairs are NOT allowed on the whale watching boat).
Once we had our brief orientation at the meeting spot, we started our journey... our tour guide/naturalist was Sarah & ship captain was Mike... both were awesome & Sarah was so fun and enthusiastic, you can tell she truly loves her job & these amazing animals & she talks about the baby whales like they are her nieces & nephews. She gives lot's of great information and makes sure everyone in the boat knows what is going on & answers any questions & knows every whale by name! (You gotta ask her how they can tell all the whales apart!)
They offer blankets & binoculars to use on board & you can bring your own drinks & snacks on board (no glass/alcohol) & have a small bathroom on board if needed.
Since our trip was just before their peek-season, we had to go a bit further out than expected, but it's nice that they are in constant communication with other whale spotters and they share information. We got to see humpback whales, (rare to see 2 breeds in the same trip), and although that was fun to see, I was a little disappointed thinking we weren't gonna get to see the orcas. Mike kept going, following possible leads & we had to end up going all the way out to Canadian waters, but eventually, there they were, it was SPECTACULAR! We were surrounded!!! We got to see mama & babies & the oldest known whale at 110 yr old, known as "Granny"! (Also got to hear about how Granny not only adopted an orphaned whale but also disciplines the teenage boy whale with her tail smacks when he goes out flirting with the girl whale from the other pod... sound like any humans you know???) On the way back, we also got to see seals, sea lions & bald eagles. Our trip lasted an hour and half past what was expected but it was totally worth it & impressive that the crew would be so persistent to make sure we had a memorable trip & got to see the orcas! It was a truly amazing adventure & although they can't guarantee what the whales will do in each trip & every excursion will be different... I HIGHLY recommend it & we'd totally do it again anytime.
(Also note: dress warm/in layers, though we had ideal weather, with the wind blowing on you it still gets mighty cold! And a note about tipping, multiple signs are posted, "Tipping is not expected but always appreciated").