For 33 years, puget sound express has set the standard for exciting whale watching tours and wildlife tours around the olympic peninsula and the san juan islands. Resident gray whales return to puget sound the seattle times. Puget sound whale watching adventures in washington. To read the entire content of this whale watching tours page, please go to. Whale watching tours with puget sound express my olympic. Resident gray whales return to puget sound the seattle. 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.
Mark malleson the center for whale research and others will confirm that indeed all 82 wild orcas, of jkl pods came in. This map, produced for the orca network by thorsten lisker and alisa lemire brooks is a great way to find the best spots on. Take your best shot at kayaking with killer whales near seattle, wa. Alisa lemire brooks july 8 l12s and l22s were resting off of bellvue pt. 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. The plane arrives in time to enjoy the town for friday harbor and its many shops and restaurants. With 3 generations of family dedication and experience, we guarantee youll see whales or your next trip is free. More than 20,000 gray whales migrate along the west coast each year. Were blessed to live in whats been called the american. Venturing out onto the water to get up close well, within reasonyou dont want to get too close and personal with the sounds largest residents is an exciting day activity that you can do from a few points in and north of seattle, and its a great way.
Whale watching adventures in anacortes, washiington. We just spent a random early spring weekend in port townsend, which is a fun little coastal town. Whale watching in puget sound things to do in washington. Nov 09, 2015 its just another rainy day here in seattle, so what better way to enjoy it than searching for whales in puget sound. Tour overview our 4hour whale watching cruise departs port townsend both in the morning 10am and in the afternoon 2. Learn about gray whales and other amazing underwater life with seattle dive tours, seattles premier dive tour company. Puget sound seaplane tours, which take off from locations such as lake union or friday harbor, are arguably the best and most unique way to see the sound and its surrounds. Whether it is a school field trip, family reunion, company outing, wedding group or any other special occasion. I said i saw it west of anderson island but north of tolmie is probably a better description of where the whale was.
Leave from port angeles or port townsend for short transit times and long whale watching times. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching whale. It is not uncommon to have nearly 90 whales playing the waters near seattle. Among these, southern resident and transient killer whales commonly are found in puget sound. This is a passengeronly ferry featuring comfortable seats, a dutyfree gift shop, and a cafe with oneway or roundtrip options available. Puget sound express offers a variety of whale watching cruises for you to choose from all easily accessible from the olympic peninsula. The jamal is an elegantly appointed 75foot luxury yacht skippered by a uscg licensed captain and certified crew who have over 25 years of experience together and puget sound is an amazing location to charter the jamal for just about any occasion. To help observers find good locations to view the whales orca. Eagle wing tours is proud to be victorias first whale watching company to. Memorial day through late august we offer whale watching at sunset. As a familyowned and operated business for over 30 years, visitors return again and again. The whale trail runs from british columbia to washingtons olympic peninsula, down the. Olympia is at the far south of the sound and also away from the primary tourist hot spots. Winter orca whale watching from the iconic seattle waterfront.
From the hotel, to the food, to the recreation everything was awesome. Still, the terrain is beautiful, there is other wildlife to experience we saw seals, a bald eagle, lots of cool jellyfish, some waterfowl, interesting seaweed and kelp and the majestic scenery is breathtaking. We head out towards the san juan islands, or to wherever the whales are on the red head, our comfortable and fast, 40seat tour boat. Our team of highly qualified crew set us apart from the competition. The scenic flight offers views of seattle, puget sound, the olympic peninsula, the cascades including mt. Island adventures holds the industrys highest success rate and was the first company to guarantee whale sightings on every tour. Many people are unaware that the traditional travel pattern of our local resident orca whales take them south into the puget sound in late october. Whale watching from land whale watching is a favorite activity in and around puget sound. 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. Gray whale tours each spring, majestic gray whales migrate from the southern waters north to alaska.
Seattle whale watching san juan safaris san juan island. Puget sound tours is a fantastic way to see the seattle metro area. The best whale watching sites in puget sound you dont need a. Click here to download all 12 months of killer whale watching data and be. Our 4hour whale watching cruise departs port townsend both in the morning 10am and in the afternoon 2. Private charters with san juan excursions, whale watching. Puget sound orca whale a guide to whale watching tours. These planes, as their name suggests, have the ability to take off and land on watera special experience for those not accustomed to this mode of transportation. Puget sound express edmonds 2020 all you need to know. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching.
Gray whale watching near seattle, washington island adventures. The best whale watching sites in puget sound you dont. Washington states best whale watching value and best spot north of seattle to see gray whales in the wild. San juan island whale watching day trip from seattle, wa. The hanke family has been operating whale watching tours with puget sound express for 30 years.
Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. Come for the afternoon, or stay a few nights at one of our partner hotels. Three generations of our family have helped visitors have lifechanging experiences with some of the most majestic creatures on the planet. I think that you should consult a map of the sound to get an idea of what is around and the distances between the different cities. I just came across a great orca whale blog site called whale of a purpose written by a local whale enthusiast that is packed with great photos and lots of tips on identifying whales. Whale watching tours with puget sound express my olympic park. If you are looking for a kayak tour near seattle, the sheltered waters of the san. Each spring march, april, may provides one of the best whale watching opportunities in washington. Killer whales in puget sound encyclopedia of puget sound. See orcas, humpback whales, and all the majestic wildlife throughout the salish sea on our tour out of.
It takes about an hour to get from edmonds to the san juans on their foilcatthen you have a couple of hours to spot whales and porpoises. With the sun out today, looking at this blog makes me wish we were still running tours. Eagle wing tours adopts wild 4 whales fee research wildlife fee. Updated february 12, 2020 tours depart oak harbor and langley.
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. As such, i sincerely doubt that there are any tours that meet your criteria public, leaving olympia or surrounding area, large, comfortable vessel with snack bar. Whale watching tours puget sound whale watching and. Tours require a minimum of 15 passengers for departure. Puget sound express familyrun whale watching tours. That allows us to cover lots of ground so to speak and show you as many of the whales and other animals that call the san juan islands home as possible. Orca whale watching from seattle island adventures.
Read more about our commitment to responsible ecotourism here. When is the best time for port angeles whale watching. Seattle whale watching tours maydecember port townsend 4hour whale watching tour mayoctober port townsend san juan island whale watching tour mayseptember port townsend to san juan island passenger ferry. Our guides and naturalists work to create educational, fun, and engaging tours that. Upon arrival, we met up with pete, sherri, sarah, and christopher hankethe family that owns and operates all puget sound express tours. The highspeed victoria clipper passenger ferry from seattle cruises through puget sound enroute to victorias inner harbour. These groupsnorthern and southern residents, transients, and offshoresare distinguished by diet, behavior, morphology, and other characteristics. San juan cruises has three whale watching tours a deluxe whale watch including a free salmon lunch and friday harbor visit, a halfday whale watching tour with a free lasagna lunch, and an evening whale watching tour that includes our delicious lasagna and caesar salad dinner. Its just another rainy day here in seattle, so what better way to enjoy it than searching for whales in puget sound. Well also watch for porpoise, seals, sea lions, and various types of birds. Puget sound express is a family owned business thats cruised people around the sound for more than 25 years. Sometimes the action gets started before we even leave the dock as this bald eagle posed nicely.
If playback doesnt begin shortly, try restarting your device. Videos you watch may be added to the tvs watch history and influence tv recommendations. A southern resident orca whale swims in puget sound in view of mount. To avoid this, cancel and sign in to youtube on your computer. Sightseeing tours whale watching washington port townsend. Seattle is a watery place, situated on the shores of puget sound, with lake union smack in the middle and long lake washington on the east side. The smithsonian magazine names port angeles, washington as one of the countrys top whalewatching destinations. Puget sound san juan island yacht charters pacific. Tours from seattle orca spirit orca spirit adventures. If youve always wanted to see whales in the wild, the pacific northwest is the place to go, and puget sound express offers some of the best experiences around, with guaranteed whale watching tours that depart from port townsend at the north tip of the olympic peninsula, and edmonds, located just north of seattle. See orcas, humpback whales, minkes, and all the majestic wildlife in the san juan islands departing just 15 minutes north of downtown seattle. We are proud members of the pacific whale watch association formerly known as whale watch operators association northwest.
I already knew the answer our whale watching adventure. Whale watching tour seattleedmonds puget sound express. We booked our puget sound express whale watching tour the night before we left seattle it was the only thing we planned the entire weekend. We boast more than 100 years of combined experience in the islands and have led excursions for hundreds of thousands of satisfied guests over 24. Puget sound express attractions tour operators page. The puget sound express whale watching tours leaving from port townsend are offered twice daily in the summer months. San juan cruises scenic whale watching tours in the san juan islands from bellingham, wa.
A male gray whale that feasts on shrimp in the puget sound every year was spotted over the weekend, marking the start of an annual stay in washington state inland waters by a small but peculiar. A small group, known as the sounders, are drawn to the abundant ghost shrimp of puget sound where they feed before continuing on. For guided kayak tours, check out members of the san juan island kayak. Puget sound landbased whale sighting view points the southern resident orcas often forage in puget sound during fall months in search of chum salmon, and mammaleating transient orcas, or biggs killer whales, may visit in search of seals, sea lions and porpoises any time of year. Plan your trip san juan safaris san juan island whale. Our 3 12 hour whale watching tours depart at 9am and 2pm 7 days a week. Puget sound tours seattle 2020 all you need to know. Whale watching from land whidbey and camano islands. Watch seaplane arrivals and departures and see landmark seattle locations like the iconic space needle, seattle great wheel, the fremont bridge, gas works park, the university of washington and much more plus a plethora of floating homes, including the one from the popular. While we have wonderful boat tours that give you a great perspective, sometimes the whales schedule doesnt exactly match tour schedules. With over fifteen years in the tourism industry, we pride ourselves on providing outstanding service. They feed primarily on marine mammals such as seals and sea lions but will also form large temporary pods in order to attack other species of whales like the gray or minke. When we were driving home, i started to ask tove what her favorite part of the weekend was, but.
Download the watching whales in the san juan islands brochure. Ours is a familyrun business, with three generations of knowledge and caring at the ready. Many seattle visitors choose to take in the local sights on a scenic cruise or boat tour. Whale watching at olympic national park my olympic park. South puget sound public whale watching tours for family. Jun, 2018 upon arrival, we met up with pete, sherri, sarah, and christopher hankethe family that owns and operates all puget sound express tours. The seattle metros only halfday whale watching tour. Whale watching in the san juan islands is a unique opportunity to gain. Whale watching cruises san juan cruises puget sound. Shortly after arrival, youll start your watching adventure with us. Puget sound express whale watching tour seattle bloggers. Three excellent options for puget sound whale watching or sea life viewing while in the seattle washington area. Three distinct groups of killer whales orcinus orca occupy the coastal waters of the northeastern pacific. Currently puget sound tours picks up from bellevue hotels only.
Seattle new technology could help ships and ferries navigate around. Whale watching with puget sound express visit seattle. 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. Our experienced, passionate team of captains and naturalists love to share our vast knowledge of whales, wildlife, and their beautiful pacific northwest home with travelers from near and far. Want an amazing whale watching experience, but dont have all day to spend on the water. 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. Currently puget sound tours picks up from downtown seattle about us. Puget sound whale watching tours posted by wes on monday, may 16, 2011 leave a comment one of the best places to watch whales in puget sound is along the boarder of canada and the us, in the bodies of water known as haro strait and boundry pass.
Whale watchers accused of loving endangered orcas to death. The association has worked with scientists, noaa and industry leaders to assist in writing the whale watching guidelines and best practices. Puget sound express has been operating whale watching tours for 29 years, and in that time we have always endeavored to make your trip a lasting memory. The puget sound is home to a few species of whales, including humpback and orcas. At this time of year in the pacific northwest the sun does not set until approximately 9. We will head out in search of orca, humpback, minke, and grey whales. Enjoy the sights and sounds of seattle from the water on this comfortable, 2hour, cocktail cruise along lake union. Our experienced, passionate team of captains and naturalists love to share our vast knowledge of whales, wildlife, and their beautiful pacific northwest home with. Puget sound express gray whale tours each spring, majestic gray whales migrate from the southern waters north to alaska. Anyone can do that by downloading the whale report app on a. Fly back to seattle after the whale watch tour or stay the night and return the next day. You can choose from a fourhour whale watching excursion, which leaves the port townsend marina at 10 am or 2. The lake washington ship canal connects the sound to the lakes, allowing boat travel from one to another. Puget sound tours is a fantastic way to see boeing factory and the seattle metro area.
This deal cannot be combined with promotion codes or other discounts and is valid on whale watching tours only. Puget sound whale watching tours highliner 202003t15. Puget sound tours is quickly becoming a favorite in seattle washington among locals and visitors alike. Whale watching cruises bellingham friday harbor puget sound. Venturing out onto the water to get up close well, within reasonyou dont want to get too close and personal with the sounds largest residents is an exciting day activity that you can do from a few points in and north of seattle, and its a great way to get in touch with what the area is all about. Whale watching is a favorite activity in and around puget sound. While plenty of commercial tours will charter you around the sound, whale watching does not always require a boat. Whale watching tours from anacortes the san juan islands provide one of the best opportunities for whale watching washington has to provide, offering protected waters and a huge variety of wildlife, which include our three pods of resident orca whales.
The highspeed vessel takes you on a relaxing cruise through puget sound to victorias inner harbor. We will cruise with puget sound express which is based in langley during gray whale season. Kayak whale watching in the san juan islands, seattle, washington. The longest seattle boat tours travel the puget sound to blake island, either to tillicum village for a salmon dinner and nativethemed entertainment, or for one of three nature experiences. Port townsend 4hour whale watching tour puget sound express. Argosy cruises also offers a variety of seasonal and special event cruises, including the christmas ship festival, dinner and brunch cruises, and mystery. Puget sound express operates out of edmonds and port townsend less than two hours away from seattle on the olympic peninsula. Whale watch tours in the san juan islands island adventures. A small group, known as the sounders, are drawn to the abundant ghost shrimp of puget sound where they feed before continuing on their journey. More than 500,000 people annually go whale watching in the waters of washington and british. Mammaleating orcasin the puget sound travel between alaska and the midcalifornian coast in small pods, usually between one and seven whales. Our guides and naturalists work to create educational, fun, and engaging tours that provide our guests with memories to last a lifetime.
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