Gray whale watching near seattle, washington island adventures. The much anticipated 2016 whale watching season commences in may 15th, just short of two weeks from today. Between may and december, humpback, southern right and blue whales make their way along western australia. As the gray skies become less frequent, flowers start bloom, and hillsides dry out, the waters of the pacific ocean and grays harbor welcome the return of the gray whales. While we have wonderful boat tours that give you a great perspective, sometimes the whales schedule doesnt exactly match tour schedules. Thats the question at the core of the makah tribes desire to resume hunting gray whales. The two naturalists on board were great knowledgeable, informative, and responsive they even customized a talk. The tour must have a minimum of 15 passengers for a departure. By audrey evans, whale watching coordinator once again, its time to bid farewell to the gray whales. Get up close with the killer whales off orcas island, the largest of the san juan islands near seattle, on this guided, 3. The whale center is located at 115 anthes in langley on south whidbey island, one block up from whale bell park, where the whale bell is rung whenever someone spots a whale in the area. Orca network provides a whale sighting viewpoints map to help watchers find the best locations for viewing whales from shore at our langley whale center. These boat charter companies also offer whale watching.
Apr 30, 2009 the whale watching season started in late april. Whale watching season in washington state its on the list. Seattle whale watching tours the seattle metros only halfday whale watching tour. Prime whale watching season is from january through april when the mamas return north with their young. At this time of year in the pacific northwest the sun does not set until approximately 9. Mar 10, 20 whale watching season in washington state its on the list to do while living at jblm stay safe and healthy. Anacortes is the perfect departure point for guaranteed whale watching and wildlife cruises. There are never guarantees, of course, but there are many whale watching. Washingtons 20192020 fishing regulations now available. Each spring, majestic gray whales migrate from the southern waters north to alaska. The whale watching tour was an adventure of its own and we ended up seeing three humpback whales for about 45 mins. Several other operators offer outings during whale season, january.
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. Whale watching is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and appreciate killer whales and the other marine wildlife in this region. I highly doubt you will see any orcas in october in this area of the pnw if you go out one day on a boat in that month. Carl hiaasen kelby has created a crazyquilt of unforgettable characters. These whales are particularly acrobatic, so you might see them splashing about on the surface of the ocean in addition to coming up for air. Let me say that i am not downplaying the whale watching boat tour experience. Birch aquarium at scripps 201112 whale watching season has drawn to a close. Washington state whale sightings commercial whale watching in the san juan islands is roughly 25 years old. Estimates of blue whale abundance based on petersen mark.
The longest whale watching season follows the epic annual migration of humpback, southern right whales and the rare blue whale, from the foodrich southern ocean in the south west to the warm breeding grounds on the north kimberley coast. For the best whalewatching in seattle, enjoy the beauty of san juan island on a whalewatching cruise from friday harbor, a quaint town on the island. San juan island is considered the best place to view orca whales because of the large salmon population, which is their primary food source. In the mid1990s, long before federal mandates, we developed a dynamic set of local whale and wildlife viewing guidelines. Whale watching from land whale watching is a favorite activity in and around puget sound. Our 34 hour adventure whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times.
Washington designated the orca whale orcinus orca as the official state marine mammal in 2005 due to the research and persuasion of secondgraders from crescent harbor elementary school in oak harbor, washington. Washington states best whale watching value and best spot north of seattle to see gray whales in the wild. This blue whale was spotted by a cascadia research team about 17 nautical miles northwest. I loved seeing those enormous animals up close, but i wanted more. Commercial whale watching in the san juan islands is roughly 25 years old. Killer orca whale watching seattle to san juan islands. Whale watch western australia whale watching perth, western.
Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just around. It looks like the way to start narrowing down whale watching trips is to decide on the departure point. San juan island whale watching day trip from seattle, wa. If you are ready to contribute to our efforts to reduce ship strikes to whales along.
Whale watching adventures in anacortes, washiington. Going whalewatching in september the seattle times. To be honest, i left that boat feeling a little bit disappointed. However, it is important to do your research before embarking, as not all whale watching tours are created. A whale expert is reporting a rare sighting of blue whales off the washington state coast.
Whale watcher on san juan island by christopher livesay. While resident and transient orca can be found in puget sound almost any time of the year, march and april features the addition of gray whales, and. Any boat within a halfmile of the whales must also reduce speed to 7 knots or less. These killer whales are the most researched marine mammals in the world, and whale watch naturalists know the whales individual nicknames and family histories back to the early 1970s. There are several ways to try and get a gander at the islands special residents. Until then, we are working through the project list and getting everything ready to go. We always like to say that no two whale watching tours are the same.
Whale watching season in washington state its on the list to. The odysseys multi level wrap around viewing decks provide space, open air, comfort, and lots of warm sunshine. I spend most of my time in the freshwater streams and estuaries along the coast of washington. Whale watch tour companies have knocked a proposed orca protection initiative off the. Humpback and blue whale populations were moving up and down california coast at other times of the year summer season. This symbol is intended to promote orca awareness and to encourage protection of the natural marine habitat. These killer whales are the most researched marine mammals in the world, and whale watch naturalists know the whales individual nicknames and.
Our passengers along with aquarium naturalists, volunteers, and the flagship cruises. Also whale behavior does not change based on the time of day. Visit washington dc, take a whale watching vacation to washington dc, and enjoy a whale watching trip in washington dc. Whale watching tours depart daily from orcas and san juan island allowing an opportunity for viewing the whales in the wild. Whalewatching season is underway, with trips out of channel islands harbor and ventura harbor offering the chance for a peek at several species of whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions. When i get a little older ill be able to wander out into the beautiful open ocean. The graywhale season will have ended, but there should be opportunities to see orcas, minkes and perhaps humpbacks. We use the san juan clipper for our gray whale watching tours as well as our orca tours in the summer since the our three viewing decks provide 360 views and indoor and outdoor whale watching.
Join us on the new and fast, 55ft vessel sea lion for a naturalist guided tour in one of the most unique marine ecosystems. Whale watcher on san juan island travel in washington. It looks like the way to start narrowing down whale watching trips. I was told by an art gallery owner in provincetown in mid april that whales had been spotted from land thats a bit unusual, but it happens, and it tends to suggest that the whalewatching season. Our guides and naturalists work to create educational, fun, and engaging tours that. Praise for whale season whale season is purely delightfulrich, clever, and crawling with affectionately twisted characters. Watch the worlds gentle giants of the deep frolic in waters of walker bay. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just around the corner. Wish that we could have spent way more time in washington, i guess well just have to plan another trip. Off the coasts of california, there is no shortage of whale watching tours available for whale season.
Led by naturalist guides and captains, climb aboard a blackfish fleet vessel and travel through some of the most picturesque scenery in the pacific northwest searching for orca. Download scientific diagram estimates of blue whale abundance based on petersen. There is plenty of history, arts and culture, shopping, food and drink plus many season events, and oh yes, butchart gardens. Port townsend seattleedmonds whidbey island tour details. San juan island 90 miles north of seattle is the best place for orca whale watching as we are located in the heart of salish sea. Memorial day through late august we offer whale watching at sunset. Whidbey island whale watching on whidbey island yabsta. Whale watching in washington state orca whale watching. During peak season orcas are encountered on 90% or more of tours. Orca network encourages shorebased whale watching, or watching for whales while commuting on washington state ferries.
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. Whale season is the name of a town in fl that isnt visited by whales. In mexicos stunning magdalena bay, humans and whales meet. The most common whale species in the area is the orca, but youre likely to see other species as well.
Updated february 12, 2020 tours depart oak harbor and langley. San juan excursions whale watching tours and wildlife cruises. From 2hour trips to multiday cruises, whale watching during whale season is a highly popular activity. Ive browsed the top questions and placed whale watching in the search engine.
Biggest animal on earth spotted off washington and oregon. Everett is the best departure in the spring its only 30 miles from seattle and the whales are often right off of the dock. Our first whale watching tour from friday harbor is scheduled for saturday, march 4th and we cant wait to get back on the water. Weve been preparing our two boats, niels jonsson and sandvikin, the last couple of weeks after the now finished winter fishing season. The washington state native nation has asked the national oceanic and atmospheric administration to waive federal marine mammal protections that ban the hunt, and they believe the law is on their side. There are a large number of tour operators ready to take you out by boat to see them. Over the last decade the boats have become larger and faster, and the captains have become better at prediction the location of the whales on any given day. Washington s 20192020 fishing regulations now available. In the 1990s whale watch vessels would leave the docks with little more than a.
Wedged between the mountain and the sea, the quaint hamlet of hermanus has been rated by the world wildlife fund wwf as one of the twelve best whale watching locations in the world, and it is often regarded as the heart of the whale route. During the months of march and april, the washington coast. Gray whale watching season is here whidbey life magazine. Gray whales get to be about 52 feet long and are a splotchy gray and white due to parasites that attach to them in the warm water and fall off again when they head north. Anglers can also stay up to date with regulations by downloading the fish washington mobile app on their smartphone. We are endangered due to over fishing, diversion and over use of water resources, dams which alter the speed of water flows and block access to natal streams. Whale watching from land whidbey and camano islands. Three generations of our family have helped visitors spend time with orcas, humpbacks, grays, and minke whales that experience and dedication makes it possible for us to guarantee that. While resident and transient orca can be found in puget sound almost any time of the year, march and april features the addition of gray whales, and boat tours are one of the best ways to see the whales.
This deal cannot be combined with promotion codes or other discounts and is valid on whale watching tours only. 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. I was told by an art gallery owner in provincetown in mid april that whales had been spotted from land thats a bit unusual, but it happens, and it tends to suggest that the whale watching season will be a good one. Considered the premier location to view wild orca killer whales, the waters around san juan island are ideal for whale watching. See orcas, humpback whales, and all the majestic wildlife throughout the salish sea on our tour out of edmonds just a few minutes north of seattle. The pacific whale watch association is one of the most progressive ecotourism business associations in the world. Whale watching season whale watching iceland tours. Buy tickets online or call 949 6731434 to schedule a cruise. All state mammals this symbol is intended to promote orca awareness and to encourage protection of the natural marine habitat.
More than 500,000 people annually go whale watching in the waters of washington and british columbia around the san juan islands. Another whale species you might see in the offseason is the humpback whale, whose adults range in length from 40 to 50 feet and often appear from april to june. We are so confident you will see the whale of your tour, we offer a. Our prices are season dependent, so they increase based on how close they are to our peak season summer. Join us on the new and fast, 55ft vessel sea lion for a naturalist guided tour. Guaranteed whale watching tours puget sound express. 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.
Whale watching season is from may to september, but the 30foot mammals can be spotted yearround. Our whidbey island gray whale tours depart from langley, and run approximately 2. Facebook559tweet0pin4 by douglas scott the coming of spring marks many events in grays harbor. The people who named the town did so to create a tourist trap, one of the first in the nation. Best whale watching locations in washington state island. Our everett gray whale trips have been running for over a decade. Nicole kelby is a naturalborn storyteller who manages to be very funny and very wise at the same time.
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. Whale watching faqs what is the best time of the year to see orca whales. The season they are usually seen is late may to early september. In mexicos stunning magdalena bay, humans and whales meet up. Whale watching seattle or victoria eagle wing tours. Mar 12, 2015 thats the question at the core of the makah tribes desire to resume hunting gray whales. Situated in the rain shadow of the olympic mountains, the san juan and canadian gulf islands provide calm waters seasickness is very rare. San juan safaris is pleased to offer military personnel, active or retired, and. But, fueled by enough beer and an inventive tourist guide, tourists have seen whales.
San juan excursions whale watching washington whale. Spring marks the return of the whales to the washington coast. Check our website for a list of great accommodation. The gray whale season will have ended, but there should be opportunities to see orcas, minkes and perhaps humpbacks. Im tagging along with my sister for a conference in seattle. Whale watching in washington state orca whale watching in. As the number of whale sightings started to increase, it lead to more companies offering year.
1518 1264 681 1111 1399 1408 1176 1132 1445 513 571 41 1335 1119 283 402 522 30 655 1468 217 736 240 678 550 213 1072 1088 1432 919 784 699 560 420 348