We run april through early october and we see whales throughout this season. Sail through breathtaking deception pass, and travel through the protected waters of the salish sea, while trained naturalists educate passengers about the remarkable ecosystem and its wildlife with a focus on whale and sealife conservation. Metro by tmobile, using tmobiles network, actually had the fastest average download speed for seattle at 63. Our 4 hour port townsend whale watching tour is the perfect trip for visitors and travelers with a busy schedule. Get ready to grab a cup of coffee and your camera, and head out on some of the best seattle whale watching tours in the area. The beach is a popular spot for seals and their pups to rest, making it a draw for orcas as well. San juan island is considered the best place to view orca whales because of the large salmon population, which is their primary food source. This special limited season focuses on gray whales that migrate along the west coast, stopping to. Humpback whales megaptera novaeangliae are surfacing throughout. A gift for tomorrow though our langley whale center is closed for now, wed love to see you when things have settled down. A number of charter boat companies run whale watching cruises and you can find such charters operating out of seattle and from various other ports around puget sound. Blue whales the worlds best places for whale watching and.
Enjoy the experience of a lifetime with seattles only halfday, guaranteed whale watching tour. Port townsend seattleedmonds whidbey island tour details seattle whale watching tours. This wonderful marine park is home to 1600 marine species, among which live different types of whales. But for more intimate, uninterrupted sightings, watchers may want to hop onboard the seattle orca whale watching tour. The best whale watching is typically out of anacortes andor in the san juan islands. Best whale watching in seattle tour recs, best seasons. See uptodate pricelists and view recent announcements for this location. Spend a day with orcas, humpback, minke whales and more as you cruise through the waters of the salish sea aboard five stars sleek, 40passenger vessel on a victoria whale watching adventure. I know a friend of mine who used to be a whale watch guide on boats here tells me that august is even a iffy month for spotings as they are already starting to move out of the area often even in late august. We always like to say that no two whale watching tours are the same.
Whale watching like northwest locals do the seattle times. Providing high quality tours for over 30 years, we are the longest operating whale watch company in the san juan islands 90 miles north of seattle, and with that experience, we make every one of our tours a unique adventure. Does anyone know if this is a good time to whale watch. Port townsend seattle edmonds whidbey island tour details. Seattle surpasses average september rainfall would like to.
Our 34 hour adventure whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. The metro area now has its firstever, halfday whale watching tour. It wouldnt be the first time transient orca whales have killed a minke in this area. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching whale. Get up close with the orca whales off the san juan islands near seattle on this 4hour whale watching cruise. The association has worked with scientists, noaa and industry leaders to assist in writing the whale watching guidelines and best practices. Our 34 hour classic whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. A stranded humpback whale died on a west seattle beach sunday morning as hundreds of onlookers watched.
Seattle new technology could help ships and ferries navigate around. Seattle komo a humpback whale, found struggling in the shallow water near seattle s fauntleroy ferry dock on sunday, has died. Going to seattle in august, like to see the whales. See orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, gray whales and all the majestic wildlife in the salish sea on our tour departing from edmonds just minutes north of downtown seattle. San juan safaris is pleased to offer military personnel, active or retired, and their family members a 10% discount on all of our tours. We are proud members of the pacific whale watch association formerly known as whale watch operators association northwest. A convenient watch spot, fortunately, is located in the state parks parking lot not far from the ferry. Seattle to san juan island day trip with whale watching growing up to 30feetlong and weighing between five to tentons, minke whales are the smallest of the baleen whales. Its also considered the best place to view orca whales. Here are five whale breeds you can spot on a whale watching tour.
The whaleplanner august a whale watching infographic. For both wildlife lovers and outdoor fanatics, whale watching is a great way to explore the great outdoors in the pacific northwest. Id prefer to see orcas and i heard they might be around that area in april. Because of the distance and time, you need to allocate a whole day for whale watching. The greatest whale watching value in the state just 30 minutes from seattle. Our everett gray whale trips have been running for over a decade. Orca network asks for publics help with entangled humpback whale. See orcas, humpback whales, and all the majestic wildlife in.
The best time of year to view orca whales is in may through september. This special limited season focuses on gray whales that migrate along the west coast, stopping to feed in local waters on their way back to alaska. Seattles first halfday whale watch tour by puget sound. Whale watching near seattle western prince whale watching. And luckily, seattle whale watching season is right around the corner. The best whale watching in seattle adams moving service. Whale watching is most popular april through september and usually focuses on the area around the san juan islands.
We have listed below several whale watching boats and charter operators operating out of seattle. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. Whale watching september 2 september 8 san juan cruises. If youve ever wanted to experience the natural splendor of whale watching, seattle is the place to go. The graywhale season will have ended, but there should be opportunities to see orcas, minkes and perhaps humpbacks. In recent years, march may and october november, have had similar sighting success. Port townsend 4hour whale watching tour puget sound express. May through september is the busiest season for whale watchers, with june and july being the most likely to sight a whale from shore. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity cf.
San juan islands are northwest of seattle and are one of the best areas in the country to see orca whales in the wild. The worlds 12 best locations for whale watching wanderlust. May 14, 2018 whale watching with puget sound express sponsored if youre from the pacific northwest, you already know that this little neck of the woods is famous for a lot of reasons. Gray whale watching near seattle, washington island adventures. Orcas if you grew up hearing about shamu in sea world, then you have a good idea of what a seattle area orca looks like. It looks like the way to start narrowing down whale watching trips is to decide on the departure point. As industry leaders, we are key members of a proprietary sightings. For the best whale watching in seattle, enjoy the beauty of san juan island on a whale watching cruise from friday harbor, a quaint town on the island. The whaleplanner september a whale watching infographic. Back from near extinction, humpback whales are showing up in puget sound and northwest straits in numbers not seen for decades. The waters just north of seattle are home to some of the largest collection of whales anywhere in the world.
Nov 27, 2018 with cold water and plenty of prey like salmon to feed on, puget sound is the goto place for whale watching, meaning seattleites dont have to travel far to get a glimpse of these majestic mammals that call the sound their home. Ive browsed the top questions and placed whale watching in the search engine. We are looking for a whale watching trip on september 23. From great dining and shopping to the great outdoors, theres something for everyone in the emerald city. Theres an option for a ferry to vancouver, then an. Port townsend and san juan island whale watching tour from puget sound express up to 47% off.
Today we found t7 pod killer whales out near smith island, and we also spotted the first gray whale to return to puget sound this winter. We are planning a trip to seattle and vancouver in september and would, of course, love to go whalewatching. Whale watching in august seattle forum tripadvisor. Also whale behavior does not change based on the time of day. We typically see members of our three resident orca whale pods family groups of whales the most in june, july, august and the first half of september and we typically see transient orca whales in april, may and the latter half of september and early october. Id like to go to seattle for several reasons but my main reason would be to whale watch. So i, along with a few other visit seattle staff members, made my way about 20 minutes north to the port of edmonds for a morning excursion.
Read more about our commitment to responsible ecotourism here. Our guides and naturalists work to create educational, fun, and engaging tours that. Best time for whale watching in seattle near lynwood. Sometimes the action gets started before we even leave the dock as this bald eagle posed nicely. There are never guarantees, of course, but there are many whalewatching tours in september. Seattle whale watching guide 2019 clipper vacations. Certain types of orca whales are also viewable in the winter since the seals are most abundant. Generally whale watching runs from spring through fall, march to october or so, starting with the gray wales, followed by the orcas. Try whale watching from the shore at alki beach in west seattle, just a short drive or water taxi trip away from downtown. Best orca whale watching in the san juan islands and puget sound off the coast of washington state, near seattle. Each spring, majestic gray whales migrate from the southern waters north to alaska. Our coast guard inspected vessels travel farther and faster than other tours, allowing you the best chance to see whales and other wildlife.
Want an amazing whale watching experience, but dont have all day to spend on the water. Whale watching from friday harbor seattle, usa activities. With some research and planning, you can go whale watching in sea ttle and other puget sound cities on your own. Orca whales usually pass through the islands in greatest numbers between midmay and midoctober when the salmon runs are strongest, although its possible to spot them through the rest of the year. The best orca whale watching is from friday harbor, san juan island. Whale watching in seattle orca whale watching and gray. Explorers can catch a glimpse of these oceanic commuters from almost anywhere on lime kilns shore. At western prince whale watching, our passion is sharing the natural beauty, whales, and diverse wildlife of the salish sea. While ill have lots of time on my own, im trying to figure out what she wants to do on her limited free time, and she is interested in whale watching.
Unfortunately the clipper doesnt offer daily service that late in september. Mar 11, 2017 if you are looking to see gray whales which often dive deep to scoop up ghost shrimp, the best time to see them is now through april on our seattle gray whale watching tour. Seattle whale watching san juan safaris san juan island. The following are the worlds best places to watch blue whales in their natural habitat. Jurys still out on whether it was a minke whale that was being. San juan island is the center of whale watching in the pacific northwest and therefore friday harbor on san juan island is the best location for departing on a whale watch tour in washington state. My dates are flexible but i would prefer to go in april. Jun, 2018 that said, when i was asked to participate in a whale watching tour with puget sound express, i couldnt refuse. Im tagging along with my sister for a conference in seattle. Verizon beats tmobile as fastest network in seattle. In a news release issued last week honoring agents schuler and marty prewett with the directors award for excellence, the fbis field office in seattle said the case was the first in the the. With a donation or an adoption of a whale you can help to make the world a place where whales and dolphins are free and safe. Its pricier than some of the other excursions on this list, but thats because the whale watchers.
The gray whale will visit on occasion throughout the year, with sightings reaching their peak during march and april when the whales migrate north from mexico to alaska to feed. Seattles first halfday whale watch tour by puget sound express jets you up in highspeed comfort to where the whales play bellingham herald. Available march through october, this fullday whale watching tour package includes a scenic 45minute seaplane flight from seattle s lake union to friday harbor marina on san juan island. If youre looking for humpback whales then we suggest september through january. The mv kestrel is a rib ridged inflatable style vessel that cruises waters around san juan island at an impressive 35 knots. Best whale watching locations in puget sound seattle magazine. Or if you are looking to see orcas, humpbacks and minke whales, the best to see them is from late april to late september on our san juan whale watching tour. Enjoy the experience of a lifetime with seattle s only halfday, guaranteed whale watching tour. Tour leaders have resources that help them know where the whales are hanging out each day, but that doesnt mean its the only way to go whale watching. We are visiting seattle at the beginning of august, can you adviserecommend any trips that run for whale watching, also is this a good time to see the whales. Seattle whale watching deals in seattle, wa groupon.
Guaranteed whale watching tours puget sound express. Going whalewatching in september the seattle times. While we do not guarantee whale sightings on our tours, 20 years of sightings data shows that we do have a 90% chance of seeing whales during the peak months of june september. Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Whale watching trips in the san juan islands seattle washington. Seattle homicide detectives are asking for the publics help to identify two men and two women associated with the fatal stabbing of michael abay in west seattle s delridge neighborhood. Whale watching trip from downtown seattle in september. Considered one of seattles best day tours, the whale plane package includes round trip air on a kenmore air seaplane from downtown lake union, seattle to friday harbor for a san juan safaris whale watching and wildlife tour by boat. West seattles day of the whale, and the people it brought to the beach. The best time for whale watching in seattle and nearby areas is all year round, however depending on when you come will determine what types of whales you see and how many. Whale watching september 2 september 8 september 9, 2008 blog, general san juan islands, victoria, whale watching sean berry the resident orca pods have become a little more difficult to find this past week, however, weve been luck to find transient orcas just outside of victoria. Everett is the best departure in the spring its only 30 miles from seattle and the whales are often right off of the dock.
Whale watching like northwest locals do originally published may 1, 2017 at 4. Travel inspired cuisine by way of the northwest, the whale wins roasts the very best from local beaches, gardens and farms in its rustic wood fired oven and serves it to share on plates large and small in a light filled, converted warehouse space. Most seattle residents will consider it lucky to spot a single whale while in town, but those with an eye to the water. Vancouver may september catamaran home adventures vancouver vancouver to seattle with. Oct 08, 2017 community corner orca network asks for publics help with entangled humpback whale the whale was last seen in the haro strait area near henry island. Whale watching with puget sound express visit seattle. Clipper vacations offers whale watching cruises in march, april and may as the whales migrate through seattle s puget sound on their way to alaska.
Port townsend seattle edmonds whidbey island tour details seattle whale watching tours. San juan island is where the southern resident killer whales live about six months out of the year, from midapril to october. While the emerald city may seem a little too busy with ferries for the large mammals to swim freely, theyre occasionally spotted along west seattle and in elliott bay. At seattle orca whale watching in partnership with san juan safaris we take great pride in providing you with the best orca whale watching and wildlife tours in the pacific northwest. Most of the whale watch boats with these whales think they have killed or are killing a minke whale, but there isnt any evidence in the form of blood in the water or pieces of blubber floating. Seattle has surpassed its average precipitation in september by 1.
Joining a whale watching tour makes spotting whales of all sorts much more likely. The season they are usually seen is late may to early september. It is hard to say whether the morning is better or the afternoon is better, because usually if we have whales in the area we will see them on both trips. When you join san juan safaris on a whale watching tour, youll have a great chance to observe orca whales in their natural environment. Flights leave seattle in the morning and return in the early evening, and vary slightly depending on the time of the year. Killer orca whale watching seattle to san juan islands. Raymond explains the minke whales were named after a norwegian whaler who was known for overestimating the size of the whales he caught. Best time to whale watch in seattle seattle forum tripadvisor.