Whale Watching from Friday Harbor

The best orca (killer) whale watching is off San Juan Island, near Seattle. The San Juan Islands are considered the "jewels" of the Pacific Northwest, located in the Puget Sound.

San Juan Island is considered the best place to view orca whales because the salmon, which are their prime source of food (about 95% of what they eat), travel up and down the west coast of San Juan Island and outlying areas.

Take this Whale watching tour and see orca whales which has been viewed on over 90% of the tours with the possibility of spotting minke, humpback and gray whales to be higher. What is the best time to see orca whales? Anytime. They are out and about all day.  You will be guaranteed see marine mammals and come back with memories to last a lifetime!

Enjoy the beauty of San Juan Island on our exclusive Whale Watch Cruise from Friday Harbor. Sail aboard the fast, new MV Sea Lion with windowed, heated cabin, which seats up to 24 guests.

Want a more intimate tour - join the special limited tour , small groups with a maximum capacity of 12 people.

Important Note: Regardless of whether you are bringing your car on the ferry, it is best to be at  the Anacortes ferry parking lot 1 hour  prior to the ferry departure (not to be confused with the time of your tour departure) In July and August arrive at least 1.5 hours prior to the ferry departure if you bring your car across. A car may not necessary on San Juan Island.

Park your car in the Anacortes ferry parking lot and purchase purchase a passenger ticket. Allow at least 90 minutes driving time from Seattle to Anacortes.  Use I-5 north, Exit 230. The diamond lane makes it a breeze to drive up.  

Ferry schedule changes seasonally and has specific departure times. Please ask about the latest Washington State Ferry schedule to ensure you arrive with enough time to make your way to the tour departure point.

Schedule Details Departs: Seasonal

5 April and 12 April
Saturday only

19 April - 5 October
Daily

11 October and 19 October
Saturday Departure Point: Tours depart from the San Juan kiosk located across the road from the ferry dock. Departure Time:

• 5 April to 6 June - 1:00pm
• 7 June to 17 August - 1:00pm and 5:30pm
• 18 August to 19 October - 1:00pm

Return details: This tour returns to the original departure point approximately 4 hours after departure Hotel Pickup: Hotel pickup is not included; however, please provide your hotel details when booking, for the tour operator to keep on record for contact purposes only. If you do not indicate this at the time of booking, you will be required to call and advise them of this information directly. The contact details for the tour operator will be on your voucher once you have a confirmed booking.

Additional Information