WHAT TO DO

Whale/Wildlife Watching in the San Juan Islands

Magical. Awe-inspiring. Stunning. Amazing. Unforgettable.

Count on your encounter with whales in the waters of the San Juan Islands to be the experience of a lifetime.

Most of the whales seen in the San Juan Islands are orcas—three pods, the “Southern Residents” are typically here from mid-April to early October, but your best chance to see them is from late May through September. One of the pods is often seen year round. You have a great variety of whale-watch tours to choose from.

On your whale-watch tour, you may see not just orca whales, but different species as well: gray, minke, and humpback whales also visit these waters. Not to mention seals, porpoises, sea lions, otters, bald eagles, and numerous seabirds. And you’ll pick up a whole new whale-related vocabulary—spyhops, breaches, single and double tail lobs. On some whale-watch tours, you’ll hear via hydrophone the whales calling to one another. Most boats have an onboard naturalist to explain what you’re seeing.

Local whale-watch operators adhere closely to state and federal guidelines developed to ensure the whales’ behavior and life cycles aren’t disturbed. Our “Southern Residents” are endangered and protected by state and federal law, and there is a strong local culture of respect for the whales. Boats must not approach closer than 200 yards—but that’s plenty close enough when you’re looking at a 30-foot mammal.

You should also consider trying your luck at shore-based whale watching at “Whale Watch Park” (Lime Kiln Point State Park) on San Juan Island.