Whale & Wildlife Watching Tours

Why go whale watching in the San Juan Islands? The Islands are in the heart of the Salish Sea – home to an abundance of wildlife and the best place in the U.S. to see orcas in the wild! Being so centrally located means easy access to:

• 5 different types of whales – two ecotypes of orcas, humpbacks, minkes, and grays
• 4 other types of mammals – sea lions, seals, otters, and porpoises
• Most nesting pairs of Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states
• Over 150 other kinds of sea and shorebirds

Though it’s possible to see whales here year-round, the best months are April through October, especially for orcas. Humpback whales are most commonly seen from August through October. If by chance you don't see whales on a tour, most operators offer a free or discounted ticket to go again.

Responsible Whale Watching:

Respect for wildlife is inherent in island culture. With an emphasis on education and due to current laws and other voluntary guidelines, this is some of the most respectful and responsible whale-watching on Earth.

• Operators follow Be Whale Wise guidelines – a combination of state and federal regulations
• Onboard naturalists provide identification, education, and stewardship suggestions for passengers
• Each company contributes to orca and salmon recovery efforts in the greater Salish Sea ecosystem
• Operators contribute sightings data and images to local research partners

Let us acknowledge that we reside on the ancestral lands and waters of the Coast Salish people who have called this place home since time immemorial and let us honor inherent, aboriginal, and treaty rights that have been passed down from generation to generation.