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Whale Watching from Friday Harbor

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Friday Harbor, United States
(10)
Whale Watching from Friday Harbor
Professional Naturalists will teach you about the wildlife your see
Whale Watching from Friday Harbor
Our flagship vessel, the M/V Sea Lion
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10

From $132.70

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0 Infants1 Infant2 Infants3 Infants4 Infants5 Infants6 Infants7 Infants8 Infants9 Infants0 Children1 Child2 Children3 Children4 Children5 Children6 Children7 Children8 Children9 Children1 Adult2 Adults3 Adults4 Adults5 Adults6 Adults7 Adults8 Adults9 Adults
Free Cancellation
up to 24 hours in advance
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icon4 hours  (Approx.)
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English
Good for avoiding crowds
Keeping you safe during COVID-19
What you can expect during your visit
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
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Safety precautions are provided by the tour operator and are not checked by Viator for accuracy
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More questions?
(888) 651-9785

Overview

Get up close with the orca whales off the San Juan Islands near Seattle on this 4-hour whale-watching cruise. San Juan Island is where the southern resident killer whales live about six months out of the year, from mid-April to October. It’s also considered the best place to view orca whales.
  • Seattle whale watching
  • Experience the best killer whale watching area, off San Juan Island, near Seattle
  • Whales have been viewed on over 90% of the tours
  • You will be guaranteed see marine mammals
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From $132.70

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Whale Watching Cruise
Local taxes
Transport to/from Friday Harbor from Seattle
Gratuities
Port Fee (USD1.00 per person)

Departure Point

Friday Harbor, WA 98250, USA

Return Details

Returns to original departure point
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. San Juan Island is considered the best place to view orca whales because of the large salmon population, which is their primary food source. Salmon travel up and down the west coast of the island and some of the outlying areas, so it makes it a perfect place to see orca whale activity.

Climb on board the fast, new 55-foot MV Sea Lion, complete with a heated cabin, with windows, that seats up to 24 travelers. Add the walk-around deck and 40 or fewer guests can fit comfortably on this vessel.

While it’s not guaranteed that killer whales will be seen on this tour, there is more than a 90 percent chance. Plus, there is an even greater chance of seeing minke, humpback and gray whales. Seeing marine mammals, well, that’s a sure thing.

Want a more intimate tour? Join the special small-group tour, with a maximum capacity of 12 people.

Note: The schedule for the ferry to San Juan Island 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.
Itinerary
Stop At:  
San Juan Island
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 an exclusive Whale Watch Cruise from Friday Harbor. Sail aboard the fast, new 55 foot MV Sea Lion (with windowed, heated cabin, which seats up to 24 guests). 40 or fewer guest aboard this comfortable boat with walk around deck.
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Admission Ticket Free
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 3 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • For maximum safety children under 2 should be in a harness carrier strapped to a parent and remain in the cabin
  • "Special Limited" tour not recommended for child aged 13 and under
  • Restrooms are available on board the boat
  • Service animals allowed
  • Infant seats available
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers
  • OPERATED BY San Juan Safaris

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Whale Watching from Friday Harbor?
A:
The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
See all safety measures taken by Whale Watching from Friday Harbor.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Whale Watching from Friday Harbor?
A:
The policies on sanitization are:

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
See all safety measures taken by Whale Watching from Friday Harbor.
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during Whale Watching from Friday Harbor?
A:
The policy on social distancing is:

  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
See all safety measures taken by Whale Watching from Friday Harbor.
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Whale Watching from Friday Harbor?
A:
The policies on staff health & safety are:

  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
See all safety measures taken by Whale Watching from Friday Harbor.
Q:
What is the maximum group size during Whale Watching from Friday Harbor?
A:
This activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers.

See all safety measures taken by Whale Watching from Friday Harbor.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0
star-5
524 Reviews
5 stars
484
4 stars
23
3 stars
8
2 stars
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1 star
2
Reviews by Viator travelers
Showing 1-10 of 524 reviews
star-2
More like island watching
Michael_B
, Sep 2020
It was definitely disappointing. We will never do it again. It was more a tour of the surrounding islands. Do us all a favor and leave the whale watching part out it makes your company look bad
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star-5
They care
RICHARD_H
, Aug 2020
I felt they really cared about us making there and our experience. They called me several times to see if I had any questions and when I was running late they called to make sure I was still on the way
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star-3
Blah except for the eagles we saw
imtonym
, Jul 2020
Nice guide and decent boat. No whales spotted, so very disappointing when they claim 90% sightings. We were even in prime whale season, so I can't give them any better than an average grade.
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star-5
Awesome
Heather_S
, Jul 2020
Saw 2 different species of whales and was worth every bit of money we spent. Would recommend San Juan Outfitters to anyone in the area!
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icon Response from Host , Jul 2020
Thanks, Heather! So glad you had a great experience and enjoyed the company of some whales! Hopefully we'll see you again sometime.
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star-5
Seeing the whales
Isaaih_W
, Jul 2020
It was a great experience. Had fun and the weather was beautiful. The guide was on point with everything. Will do it again
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star-5
Great Day Whale Watching
Global26912508202
, Sep 2019
It was a great time spent watching whales. The two naturalists were very knowledgeable and wonderful about answering questions! Learned a lot that day!
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star-5
Great Ride
beajean57
, Jul 2019
I really enjoyed our trip. Our guide was most knowledgeable about all the animals we saw. The whole experience was delightful. And all of the employees were very helpful from changing our reservation because we were late, helping with parking, and helping us suit up. I would recommend this trip to all my friends.
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star-5
Great experience
paulkB9929QZ
, Aug 2018
The staff was excellent, the craft was as well. The naturalists were quite knowledgeable and gave great insights into Orca behavior and research . The experience exceeded our expectations in every way. You need to take this excursion at least once in your life, probably more than once actually!
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star-5
To start this trip, my wife and I...
David L
, Sep 2017
To start this trip, my wife and I took a Seaplane from Seattle. The day was perfect for it. Clear, visibility was so good, Mt Baker was in sight the entire flight. Went to San Juan Safaris, checked in, the employees were wonderful. The boat wa s the Sea Lion of course. The best part of the sightseeing is that there were so many whales. The guides talked about the different species and pointed out their characteristics as the Orcca's moved through the water. A Wonderful day. The return ride offered rock islands full of sea lions. Porpoise's were plentiful during the ride home. Absolutely a wonderful day.
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star-5
Best whale watching trip ever. Saw...
Lana O
, Jul 2016
Best whale watching trip ever. Saw about 10 whales from j pod. Nice boat. Fun day
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Product code: 3053WHALE_F

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