Color, Good news for Orcas! Although this event seeks to raise awareness about this incredible endangered species, it also highlights the critical ecological connections between land and sea, and the importance of supporting natural systems. Timing as they say is everything. This is whale watching in the San Juan Islands at its best! The past couple years its becoming more frequent; now its almost daily.. Current J pod members: J16 Slick, J17 Princess Angeline, J19 Shachi, J22 Oreo, J26 Mike, J27 Blackberry, J31 Tsuchi, J35 Tahlequah, J36 Alki, J37 HyShqa, J38 Cookie, J39 Mako, J40 Suttles, J41 Eclipse, J42 Echo, J44 Moby, J45 Se-YiChn, J46 Star, J47 Notch, J49 Tilem Inges, J50 Scarlet, J51 Nova, J53 Kiki. We are proud members of the Pacific Whale Watch Association formerly known as Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest. Lopez is the most rural and flat (great for cyclists). (Image taken under authority of NMFS permit No. With only 40 guests or fewer on board, you'll have plenty of space to move around and enjoy an amazing, personalized experience. Check out our new video highl What a fun adventure today! These two transient families had teamed up since our boat left one of them the previous day. Giles collaborates with government scientists and other researchers to enhance understanding of the many impacts on these endangered whales from overfishing, pollution and noise. Please complete the reCAPTCHA below to join our email list. I'm so glad you're here and I'm excited to teach you how to take life on the road!Start here! As the seal population has increased, the transients are coming in more, said Ken Balcomb, founder and senior scientist for the Center for Whale Research. If you love cats and are in the Seattle area, plan to spend an hour at the Meowtropolitan Cat Cafe! There were reports that whales were also near Port Angeles. We got early reports of transient orcas up north off of Patos Island right on the cusp of Canadian waters. It's finally starting to feel like spring in the San Juans! It was a beautiful Mothers day with the J16s and the other amazing wi Another great day on the water with Captain Nancy! New 55 ft. boat fast and comfortable. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. It was a gorgeous day aboard the Western Prince II. The "Association" has worked with scientists, NOAA and industry leaders to assist in writing the Whale Watching Guidelines and Best Practices. 22141) We spent time wi Gorgeous day with a big tidal exchange! Read more about our commitment to responsible eco-tourism here. L85 Mystery and L89 On our afternoon tour, we caught back up with some of Lpod who were still socializing on t We had a fantastic tour this morning! We picked them up around Rosario and watched them take a tour of Ship Bay, Crescent Beach, Madrona Point and Indian Island.. We had lots of little groups from L pod on the sout We started our tour on a lovely sunny morning! As we eluded to above, Orcas Island is larger than San Juan Island. The map is interactive so please feel free to have a play. The youngest known mother is J37 (17 years old) and the new matriarch of her family. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. View our photo gallery, pictures of many types of wildlife native to the San Juan Islands, Photos have been taken on our Orca whale watching/wildlife viewing tours. Property Description for 5927 Pirates Rd. The latest in wildlife sightings, weather conditions and Island adventures are reported every week. P.O. Can You See Whales From The Shore On San Juan Islands? The day started with no whale reports, but that quickly changed! The best orca (killer) whale watching is off San Juan Island, approximately mid-April through the beginning of October. 3 Incredible Whale & Wildlife Tours 3-Hour Whales & Wildlife Tour Half-Day Whales & Wildlife Tour Full-Day Ecosystem, Wildlife & Whales Tour While harbor seals maintain their abundance, the transient orcas remain to eat them. For the best chance of seeing whales on the San Juan Islands, book a whale watching tour. Im slowly working my way around the world and sharing my journey as I go. One of the things we loved about living on an island in the Puget Sound was the ferry rides! We use cookies and other technologies to understand how you and other visitors use our site, and improve your browsing experience. Was this a pretty amazing encounter! Enjoy a beverage and play with the kitties! Read more about our commitment to responsible eco-tourism here. San Juan Safaris: Located just steps from the Friday Harbor ferry landing, San Juan Safaris offers a 90% chance of spotting Orcas from their 55-foot boat. Best Places To See Whales In Washington Complete Guide, Where To Go Whale Watching in Maui Complete Guide, Best Places For Whale Watching In Puerto Rico, If youd prefer to do something more active then why not, If youre worried about spending money on a tour and not seeing any whales then join this. The best shopping is on and around Spring Street, if you want to take home a souvenir of your time on San Juan Island. Wow!! We never tired of driving our car onto the ferry and heading upstairs for a snack and to work on one of the puzzles they set out on the tables. The Western Explorer II is the only whale watching jet boat in the San Juan Islands, combining adventure, stability, and comfort. Finally, we spotted some porpoises playing in the water! It has been an interesting year for observing the behavior of Southern Resident killer whales, chum salmon and humans in the Puget Sound region. The scenic park offers many opportunities for whale watching from the shore. Springtime Killer Whale Sightings in the San Juan Islands! Alpacas are like llamas cute little brothers. We caught up with the T46 Another fantastic day in the Salish sea with a large group of Biggs Killer whales ( A beautiful afternoon with Js and Ks! Salmon, which are their primarysource of food (about 95% of what they eat), travel up and down the west coast of San Juan Island and outlying areas. Enjoy nature at its finest on 10 private wooded acres with expansive ocean views of the San Juan Islands, Olympic mountains, Southern Vancouver . Non-regional reports of Southern Residents will also be allowed due to the great interest in them. Fun day with Katie, Pe We left the dock trekking south towards a very far report of whales. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes, 2022 The Journal of the San Juan Islands and, Read an editorial about human contact with transient orcas here, Artspace features solo show by Glenn Hendrick, County Ag Producers Invited to take a Survey, Enter to Win Prizes, Peace Island Volunteers Christmas Shoppe, League of Women Voters Observer Corps notes on Town Council and Hospital Commission meetings. Such a fantastic day! See Orca Whales also known as Killer Whales along with Eagles, Sea Lions, Gray Whales and Seals and many more species of animals on one of our tours. I'll update our followers with today's sightings. Salmon runs attract a range of different whales to these waters every year, including humpback whales, minke whales, orcas and gray whales. Getting to see them take a seal was amazing, a What a fantastic day we had with the transients up in the Strait of Georgia. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day, so we took our time and relaxed on the big rocks, taking turns looking for whales. Number of whales or dolphins. The San Juan Islands are a group of islands located at the north western tip of Washington State. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. San Juan County Park is located on the west side of San Juan Island and features beaches, picnic areas and epic views of the ocean. W, We're heading to Telegraph Cove to celebrate the 2, Director Donna's book "Orca Rescue!" At this writing there are 73resident orca whales. 2 Page is for sightings only Read More 24 Hours in Seattle with KidsContinue, Your email address will not be published. Questions and Reservations (866) 810-1483 or (360) 378-1962. 2022-011. Peak season for whale watching is from mid-June to early September so this is the best time to visit the San Juan Islands for whale watching. We got early reports of transient orcas up north off of Patos Island right on the cusp of Canadian waters. Cool and overcast currently with no winds. If you're near the water, keep a good eye out for the local Killer Whale groups. The enthusiasm expressed when we caught sight of the 2 humpback whales, known asBCX01057 Our tour began with several sightings of Humpback whales south of San Juan Island. Our first stop was, appropriately, The Whale Museum. Well, its been a super busy summer season for us! . The official Southern Resident orca population is 73 whales. The occurrence is likely to become more common given that the transient orca population is steadily growing. We followed reports of orca whales north out of Friday Harbor and caught up to them between Saturna Island and South Pender Island. http://www.orcanetwork.org/sightings/map.html#map Edited: 7 years ago Report inappropriate content Christy1 Seattle, Wa Level Contributor There's also a whale gallery, museum, and gift shop. More than 500,000 people annually go whale watching in the waters of Washington and British Columbia around the San Juan Islands. 23 Stops on Canadas Icefields Parkway You Dont Want to Miss. Moving northbound, they were spotted in Saratoga Passage and along the shore of Whidbey Island. See Orca Network's Public Viewpoints Map for Puget Sound Land-Based Whale Sighting Viewpoints. The weather was sunny with a slight breeze as we headed off the dock in search of some wildlife. WHERE to See the Whales This map shows, among other species, Orca whale sightings around the Salish Sea (and why the west side of San Juan Island is so popular for Orca watchers, from land and from sea). This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Not every sin We had our first trip of the season on the Western Prince II today! if you're more dedicated thus, I'l l [] It was a day of non-stop wildlife, wild beauty and wild water on Tuesday. The west coast transient population has shown considerable growth since the 1970s in response to the recovery of its marine mammal prey base, and is now estimated to number more than 500 whales and be near its carrying capacity, said the study. 2022 by San Juan Islands Conservation District. There were reports that whales were also near Port Angeles. Its been an incredible spring so far since we started operating! Respectful wildlife viewing. They treated all of us to some cool surface behaviors. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Here is the latest on the Seattle Killer Whale sightings. I can respect a museum thats just the right size plenty to see and do but not so much that youre overwhelmed. So great to see the T18/T19s with Mr. Theres plenty of options here to see whales and orcas in their natural habitat whether you want to see whales from the shore or join a boat tour. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I think most of us slept through the ferry ride home. From there, we often head east to San Juan Island, or north along the Saanich Peninsula. With a bit more real estate, the lack of and incorporated town and and a more aggressive terrain with dense Northwest woodland, Orcas Island feels pretty secluded, more remote and, depending on your perspective, more relaxing than San Juan Island. When is the best time to see whales in the San Juan Islands? Visit Betterground.org to learn more about Orca Recovery Day and other events that will be happening throughout Western Washington. Serious Fun - Join us! These are hot spots to hit and things to do if you only have one day to explore Portland. Members of this family include all dolphin species, as well as other larger species, such as long-finned pilot whales and short-finned pilot whales, whose common names also contain "whale" instead of "dolphin.". We heard some of J pod and L pod were movin We met up with part of J-pod as they came around Turn Point and headed South. Explore the waters in the San Juan Islands at high speeds! The purpose is to document each sighting to aid in behavioral science, location data, and for the sake of sharing these incredible moments with the world. See more ideas about san juan islands, orca whales, orca. Pods of Bigg's killer whales, which are transient orcas, were seen among the San Juan Islands in both President's Channel and Haro Strait heading north into Canada and along the south end. How to catch the ferry to the San Juan Islands, Snake River: Why Its time to Remove the Dams, You can check price and availability on the Outer Islands Excursions tour here, Check price and availability on the San Juan Safaris tour here, You can check price and availability on Mayas Legacy tours here, 33 Best Places to Visit in the USA: Iconic American Vacations, 23 Best Warm Places to Visit in March in the USA, Aspen Fall Color: 7 Great Places for Leaf Peeping, 17 Warm Places to Visit in February in the USA. Cover Image: Transient Biggs Killer Whales Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours During the past week, many pods of Transient Orca were seen in various inland waterways, notably around Quadra Island and Sonora Island. We saw some wonderful wildlife today in more flat calm conditi What a wonderful trip!! Please call or email with any questions: (360) 378-4710 ext. During the summer months, the chances of seeing a whale on a whale watching tour is as high as 90%! We were sad we missed them, but its hard to predict when theyll be nearby. Our core programs are focused on . It's a little museum, jampacked with orca facts. Direction northbound. San Juan Islands Whale Watching: How to See Orcas (2022). We left Friday Harbor with a report of mult Wow! It is 40 feet long and seats 25 guests, has a full walk around deck, and cruises comfortably at up to 35 knots. February 5, 2011 San Juan Island Killer Whale Sightings Killer Whales (Orcas) were spotted again yesterday in the northern part of Seattle and "south" sound. There has been a large g A day of surprises and special encounters close to home. Western Prince Whale Watching has a Trip Advisor rating of. They are in and about the San Juan Islands traditionally from mid-April to the beginning of October. Did you know you can also go whale watching all over Washington state? In 2021, the San Juan Islands Conservation District and San Juan County Land Bank hosted in-person and virtual events . #1 Spring St. Friday Harbor, It was a spectacular day with an amazing encounter with Biggs Transient Killer Whale What a wonderful day of whale watching in the San Juan Islands! Elegant orca Sightings San Juan islands - Allowed in order to the blog, in this particular time period I'll demonstrate in relation to orca sightings san juan islands . San Juan Island is the busiest and most populated (a little under 7,000 year-round residents, which doubles in the summer) of all the islands in the archipelago. Harbor seals, Stellar Sea Lions and of cou What an amazing day this was with K Pod!!! During the five years before 2020, CWR staff observed and documented . From 2010-2015 Amy served as the executive director of the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin where she championed the congressional wilderness designation of Drakes Estero, the ecological heart of Point Reyes National Seashore and only marine wilderness area on the West Coast. The best time to see orcas in the San Juan Islands is AprilOctober, and we were there in mid-September. This is also the best time to see orcas in the San Juan Islands. If you want to learn more about the whales then head over to the Lime Kiln Interpretive Center which features a range of exhibits and displays all about the impressive whales. It was fun to experience so much of what the Salish Sea has to offer in one afternoon. Weather played a significant role. Check out how close you can get to the whales on a boat tour in the video below: If you want to see whales from the shore then there are places on the San Juan Islands where you can spot whales out in the ocean. SJICD held a free mini speaker series with 3 local speakers; highlighting orca, salmon, and eelgrass recovery efforts in the San Juan Islands. We pride ourselves on prioritizing respectful wildlife viewing and supporting conservation efforts. 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. Mount Baker was visible in the distance as we began to see the black dorsal fins cruising through the currents. Bigg's Killer Whales in the Outer Islands, Southern Resident Orca Cross Paths with Humpback Whales in Haro Strait. Friday Harbor is a great town to start. We had an encounter with Bigg Boiling reef was boiling yesterday afternoon. https://bit.ly/3TEprqV. We were very fortunate a Humpback whale was not far from Friday Ha Beautiful conditions and lots of whales made for a fantastic Western Explorer trip! CWR has documented 29 killer whale encounters through May 31 (8 Southern Resident sightings, 21 Transient/Bigg's sightings). Orca, humpback, minke, and gray whale sightings are possible at any time of year. Orca sightings are to be expected on the ferry, but sightings of land mammals in the water also occur. Read More Play with Kitties at the Seattle Meowtropolitan Cat CafeContinue. Happy 1st day of fall!!! For more information, please read our. Its definitely one of the places on our list to visit again, and next time we hope to spot the orcas! June 11, 2022 issue No. She is the oldest member of her matriline, but has no surviving calves. The Bald Eagle acti Can you believe its nearing the end of May already!? Since the whales were traveling out of the south sound in a northerly direction, we may expect to see them off the west side of San Juan Island today in Haro Strait. San Juan Island is in the middle of the Southern Resident orcas' federally designated critical habitat and summer feeding and socializing grounds. San Juan Islands' central shopping district is also one block away. Best Time To See Whales On San Juan Islands, Best Tours For Whale Watching On San Juan Islands. We got word that quite a We survived the elements and a very long run to have this great encounter with the T124A2 Todays whale watching trip from Friday Harbor led us into Canadian waters where we had A beautiful evening on the water. Very cool encounter with some of J and K pods. On Saturday, August 13, an oil spill was reported off the west side of San Juan Island, in the heart of the Southern Resident killer whales summer feeding grounds. She represents their interests with policymakers, and is frequently interviewed by print and broadcast media as one of the principal voices calling for the recovery of these endangered orcas. Your email address will not be published. These teens were eager to s Wow! If you don't see any whales on your trip to San Juan, don't fretFriday Harbor has a pretty good consolation prize for you. Springtime Killer Whale Sightings in the San Juan Islands! We headed north into Bou We left the dock with a report of one humpback up north. San Juan Safaris has 20 years in the whale watching business and we are located in the thick of whale watching territory, just steps from the ferry landing in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. If you have more time to spare, stop by the Pelindaba Lavender Farm for gorgeous views and lots of lavender products. A southern resident orca from J pod, seen in inland waters on Aug. 15, 2019, near Lime Kiln Point off San Juan Island. We hope for your stay in Friday Harbor and on San Juan Island to be as memorable and enjoyable as our lives are here. Affiliate Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. Check out this great story by Chris Dunagan which explains that connection, and mentions TWT too. San Juan Island is considered the BEST place to view orca whales. Now, this is actually the very first graphic. See wild orca whales and many other marine animals. Headed to Universals Islands of Adventure? Required fields are marked *. Sorry. A series of fortuitous events led us to Orcas almost in our backyard. Together, we planted over. The best orca (killer) whale watching is off San Juan Island, approximately mid-April through the beginning of October. See full Affiliate Disclosure here. Pro Tip: Unlike the more popular islands, Suica, Matia, and Patos are only accessible by boat or seaplane with no ferry system running to them. The whales were being pretty acti A beautiful morning on the water with Southern Resident Killer whales! After heading Report from the Western Explorer II: There were reports of animals within our range, but w We encountered 2 different groups of Biggs also known as Transient marine mammal-eating We had an exciting day out of Friday Harbor on the Western Explorer II. The first two months of our Whale Report: May 2-8 As we continue into May here in the San Juan Islands, spring has def After the past few years of pandemic uncertainty, we are back and excited to see what this September is one of our favorite months! Share on Linked In Founded in 2004, in partnership with Skagit Valley College, San Juan County Economic Development Council, and the United Way of San Juan County, LSJI became an independent 501(c)(3) in 2008. If you have questions about your visit or need any local insight, we are happy to help. On this site, you'll find information about all the whales - and other sea life! It was a beautiful and flat calm day on the water. These cookies do not store any personal information. In 2021, the San Juan Islands Conservation District and San Juan County Land Bankhosted in-person and virtual events highlighting local salmon recovery and habitat restoration efforts via an educational Zoom speaker series with a volunteer planting events Orcas Island. Find out where to see whales in Washington here. This event was sponsored by One Tree Planted and Promise the Pod. We departed Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. With L41 missing and presumed deceased, the SRKW population count is provisionally 72. What added to watching the Endangered Southern Any day on the water with orcas is a good day in my book. Amy Trainer serves as the Environmental Policy Director for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community where she provides technical and policy advice to the Tribes Senate, and works on a variety of local, state, federal, tribal and international fisheries and habitat policy matters. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Heading out west HOPING to fi A nice day on the water! A study from Canadas NRC Research Press (https://goo.gl/GB2cqJ) on predation of Chinook salmon found that harbor seals were ultimately more impactful predators than the orcas. 1) Lime Kiln State Park aka the Whale Watch Park. This is one of the most asked questions that we get! A 90+% (per trip basis) whale sighting record. The best time to see orcas in the San Juan Islands is April-October, and we were there in mid-September. The Biggs encounters have been just amazing lately! Keep it weird! It's a great day to be on the water either whale watching or sea kayaking! San Juan Island Friday Harbor Friday Harbor - Things to Do Maya's Legacy Whale Watching Maya's Legacy Whale Watching 1,646 Reviews #2 of 33 Tours in Friday Harbor Outdoor Activities, Boat Tours & Water Sports, Tours, More 14 Cannery Landing, Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA 98250-7976 Save lot4128 1 1 Amazing Orca Sightings Historically, J pod has been known to frequent the west side of San Juan Island, in Haro Strait, during the summer months. Until recently, one of the most distinctive and recognizable whales in the southern resident community was Ruffles (J1), whose tall and wavy dorsal fin made him easy to recognize, even for beginning whale-watchers. This lovely last day of May provided fantastic weather and.whales! This afternoon we had a great encounter with a large number of Southern Resident Orcas, al Wowwhat a great trip we had on the Western Explorer. Your email address will not be published. We wer Another fantastic day on the water in the Salish Sea! The remaining three matrilines descend from whales J4, J7, and J9, who are all deceased. We'll be writing little profiles of the whales we love seeing, like the Orca, Humpback, and Gray whales. They spy hopped, potentially checking out our boat, and exhibited some tails slaps, as well. Over the weekend of February 5-6, the same groups of J-pod and K-pod whales were sighted throughout the Seattle area. As we eluded to above, Orcas Island is larger than San Juan Island. Our programs provide community education and technical and financial assistance to promote sustainable natural resource management. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. We did not have any whal Life in the Salish Seais Humpback rich right now! The Whale Museum here is home to everything orca, including the skeleton of the young orca Sooke, who died in 2012 but lives in on in the museum's reverent exhibit. @VisitSanJuans #VisitSanJuans Order a Free Brochure/Map Contact Us: San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau info@visitsanjuans.com 1-888-468-3701 | (360) 378-9551 P.O. We headed in that direction with passengers able to enjoy the sun and wind off the bow, occasionally observing Bald Eagles soaring between the islands. Box 713 Friday Harbor, WA 98250 . What a day. Such a treat! We went into the lighthouse, where they were charting the orca activity, and we learned that some orcas had been spotted while we were at the museum! If they kept coming o We had a glassy calm encounter with the T49As and T123 family groups of transient ( Our day started with an abundance of sunshine with hardly any wind. Theres lots of other things to do at Lime Kiln Point State Park including birdwatching, hiking and diving. Be Whale Wise: How to Choose an Ethical Tour, 3 Recommended Whale Watching Tours in the San Juan Islands, Last Thoughts on Whale Watching in the San Juans. The season is a little longer for humpback and Minke whales; you can see them between April and December. View our guide on how to watch marine animals from shore. Read More 24 Hours in Portland, OregonContinue. It was a beautiful day on the water with a group of Biggs (transient) Killer whales To start off the day with no reports, and end up with an amazing Biggs Transient Kil What a perfect day on the water, sunshine, calm waters and lots of wildlife! Before your journey to the Pacific Northwest here are nine animals to become familiar with: harbor seal, red fox, bald eagle, humpback whale, black-tailed deer, otter, Steller sea lion, harbor porpoise, and orca. Whale Watching + Flight from Seattle Package Tour, Reservations, Sales, & Customer Service Employment. We also offer charters for weddings & reunions. After such a fun-filled day out in the sun, we were ready to head home on the ferry. of Washington, Amy Trainer, Environmental Policy Director, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. Orca Conservancy. On our first trip of the day, we Whats a whale watching tour with Western Prince like? We were honored to see Biggs April 11, 2017 It was a fabulous day on the Western Prince. The Southern Resident Killer Whales that we saw that day included L94 Calypso, a 2 Pictures include the Turn Point Lighthouse on Stuart Island with the Olympic Mountains in We sure had an amazing encounter with those transients!! Here is the easiest, best way to see those famous letters and snap a great pic! Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. With a bit more real estate, the lack of and incorporated town and and a more aggressive terrain with dense Northwest woodland, Orcas Island feels pretty secluded, more remote and, depending on your perspective, more relaxing than San Juan Island. And there was a whole farm of them on the island at Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm! The ferry ride to Friday Harbor was longer than our usual trip to Seattle, but we enjoyed the view as we made our way among the San Juan Islands to our destination. Off we What a fantastic day with Bald Eagles, Steller sea lions, Harbor seals, and of course thos Today was one for the history books! Friday Harbor is the most picturesque, quintessential little harbor town and totally looks like its from another era. Killer Whales (Orcas) were spotted again yesterday in the northern part of Seattle and "south" sound. Comments are closed. This is also the best time to see orcas in the San Juan Islands. Initiatives and ProjectsSightings ReportSouthern Resident Killer WhalesTransient Killer WhalesHotlines & ResourcesThe OC TeamVolunteer Resources, P.O. was honored b, Twenty years after she was rescued, Springer bring, Happening Tomorrow! The pods of whales pass through the San Juan Islands every year from May through to September. Yes, the San Juan Islands seem like a seasonal place, but there is a population of about 16,000 people on the four main ferry-served islands, Lopez, Orcas, Shaw, and San Juan Islands. As we headed back toward Friday Harbor, we stopped to observe some steller sea lions growling at each other as they vied for the top spot on the rock on their Spieden Island haul outs. The WOW! This is a map of all cetacean (whale, dolphin and porpoise) sightings recorded in the North East Atlantic by our ORCA Marine Mammal surveyors over the last decade. Three pods of whales frequent the surrounding waters and often come spectacularly close to the shore (this is mainly due to the water being very deep close to the shore here). Around the San Juan Islands, lower Puget Sound, the Strait of Georgia and the Southern Canadian Gulf Islands, J pod is the most likely to be in the waters year-round. Over the weekend of February 5-6, the same groups of J-pod and K-pod whales were sighted throughout the Seattle area. We headed up towards Canada with the hope o We had an amazing encounter with most of the members of J-Pod this morning. When whale sighting reports come in, we typically alter course towards whales within range of the boat. Experience the thrill of seeing orca whales, harbor seals, California & Steller sea lions, Dall's & harbor porpoise, gray & minke whales, bald eagles, cormorants, great blue herons and so much more on one of our whale watching trips. We took a bit of a gamble and headed south on a long run towards a group o What a day!! The Whale Trail depends on your support. Since virtual meetings have become a part of all of our daily lives, we're offering background images to help you stand out in your next virtual meeting. Love the new Superpod blog! Some friends of ours insisted that we must visit Friday Harbor on San Juan Island and go orca watching, and well, we agreed! February 7, 2011 Seattle and San Juan Island Killer Whale (Orca) Sightings Here is the latest on the Seattle Killer Whale sightings. USA. We got to see a bit Today was one of the hottest days of the year and what better way to spend the day then on A beautiful day in the Salish sea with Southern Resident Killer whales! Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) represent about half or more of the prey captured or attacked in British Columbia, Washington, and Southeast Alaska.. Feeding Humpback Whales Found in the Strait of Georgia! So we booked our first Airbnb on Whidbey Island and began our PNW adventure. See if any events are happening in Friday Harbor, such as the Farmers Market on Saturdays. Moving northbound, they were spotted in Saratoga Passage and along the shore of Whidbey Island. Dr. Deborah Giles is an expert on the Southern Resident killer whales. Starting as a research assistant in 2005, then the subject of her graduate studies and her entire professional career since receiving her PhD, making Giles one of the few scientists to have focused almost exclusively on this iconic population. I decided to ride along on my day off as I heard there were some whales in the area. Orca Whale Watching Photo . She has led statewide coastal protection advocacy efforts in the California Legislature, including the addition of civil rights and environmental justice language to the California Coastal Protection Act on its 40th Anniversary in 2016. Rachelle Hayden/Salish Sea Orca Squad The oldest female, Granny (J2), has an estimated birth year of 1911! In the summer of 2018, J35 (Tahlequah) gave birth to a calf that died shortly after it was born. But at Island Adventures, we pride ourselves on offering more than just unforgettable whale sightings. But the weathe Today was one of the rare days that we had a report of orcas before leaving the dock and o Today was such a treat! As we eluded to above, Orcas Island is larger than San Juan Island. We got to see one of the few gray whales that makes its way into What a wonderfully sunny day at sea! We ventured north and spotted a h We had a pretty amazing day on the Western Prince on 9/3. Each fall and winter they return a few times each month to central Puget Sound near Seattle, following winter salmon runs. In this presentation we will share the first steps in this program which include defining the timing of peak seed release, designing of a culture system which allows the capture of ripe seeds and experimenting with techniques designed to deliver seeds to our restoration site. Also on Goose islan Our afternoon took us to the south end of San Juan Island where we got to watch part of L A beautiful morning encounter with some of Lpod! -Christina Lee * 13:00 - The first whales are in view from the hill above Kingston ferry appear to be foraging, directional changes probably off of Edmonds, west of mid-channel. Although harbor seals likely consume less Chinook salmon biomass compared to sh-eating resident killer whales, seals consume many more Chinook salmon in terms of numbers of sh, said the study. We spent a couple of hours exploring every room and learning about the orca pod that visits the nearby waters. The transient orcas eat the seals, while the resident orcas are in competition with the seals for salmon. Share on Twitter Each trip includes: Harbor seals, which were once on the brink of extinction due to being over-hunted, now are the most common mammal in the region. Below I have listed the exact locations across the San Juan Islands where you can go whale watching but bear in mind that sightings from the shore are less likely and cannot be guaranteed. The killer whale, also known as orca, is the ocean's top predator. The latest in wildlife sightings, weather conditions and Island adventures are reported every week. Respectful wildlife viewing. Box 1330, Friday Harbor, Washington 98250 Beautifu A stunning afternoon on the water with members from J and K Pods! Giles serves as the Science & Research Director for Wild Orca, and as a Research Scientist at the University of Washingtonmonitoring the Southern Resident killer whales health through non-invasive sampling with Eba, her highly-trained poop detection dog. Most of We started out our trip heading north and watching Harbor seals and their new pups at Sent Today brought unexpected delights! Read an editorial about human contact with transient orcas here. I love spending time on the water here in the San Juan Islands. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Updated: 3:44 PM PDT July 28, 2021 SAN JUAN, Wash. After at least three weeks without a sighting of a Southern Resident orca, members of all three pods were seen near the west side of. Join us this month as we Welcome the Orcas. We hope to see you soon! I love spending time with the T65As and this day was no exception. We arrived on scene with the orcas to find a group of about 7 whales working their way northward towards San Juan Island.We spent some time with a small group of orcas that included the large bull Cappucino (K21) and a few females, including Raggedy (K40). They were trav We had a great trip today on the Western Prince II. Group of harbor seals . The "Association" has worked with scientists, NOAA and industry leaders to assist in writing the Whale Watching Guidelines and Best Practices. The weather was sunny with a slight breeze as we headed off the dock in search of some wildlife. You can also visit The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor which features a range of interesting exhibits all about whales including the skeleton of a young Orca called Sooke. They are known for their stunning rural landscapes and abundance of wildlife. It was a great northwest kind of day on the Western Prince. We are proud members of the Pacific Whale Watch Association formerly known as Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest. For the best chance of seeing a whale on the San Juan Islands, book onto a whale watching tour. We are proud members of the Pacific Whale Watch Association formerly known as Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest. No repor We left the dock with a rumor of whales to the south of San Juan Island and headed that wa What a delight to catch up with a larger group of Biggs Killer whales. Book your 2022 whale watch or personal excursion with us here! What a fantastic day we had with all those Transient Orcas in Rosario Channel. San Juan Island is where the southern resident killer whales (SRKW) live about 6 months of the year. If youre looking for somewhere to go whale watching on the San Juan Islands then youre in the right place. What is the best time of day to see orca whales? The village of Eastsound was treated to a rare sight on the fourth of July when a few transient orcas swam through the sound. How to spend 24 hours in Portland with kids! San Juan Safaris has 20 yearsin the whale watching business and we arelocated in the thick of whale watching territory, just steps from the ferry landing in Friday Harboron San Juan Island. Read More How to see the Hollywood signContinue. Anytime. Driving off the ferry and into Friday Harbor was like driving onto a movie scene. Comments are closed. Visit The San Juan Islands Museum of Art or any of the smaller galleries around town. This correlation is likely one of the reasons, apart from those of which are human-caused, that the resident orca population is in decline. Today was a beautiful day of whale watching on the Western Explorer II! This means that when you click on products we recommend through a link, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Some days just take your breath away. In the last few years these sightings have become less consistent. 2. 1 Sightings must be regional and current This page is meant real-time or recent (last day or so) reports in and around the San Juan Islands. Thank you for your help! Bigg's Killer Whales in the Outer Islands, Southern Resident Orca Cross Paths with Humpback Whales in Haro Strait. Questions and Reservations (866) 810-1483 or (360) 378-1962. San Juan Island Sea Kayaking Tour Whale Sanctuary Tour, Whale Watching + Flight from Seattle Package Tour, Kayak and Fly 3 Hour - Seattle to San Juan Island Package Tour, Kayak and Fly 5 Hour - Seattle to San Juan Island Package Tour. This pod is well known for J2/Granny who died in 2016, but was thought to be around 106 years old, making her the oldest known Southern Resident Killer Whale. We guarantee you will see marine mammals and you will come back with memories to last a lifetime! And since our long-term plans would take us east, we wanted to go northwest before we were too far away. San Juan Island offers some of the best whale watching in the world. September 26, 2022 T60 Brothers Hunt at Blunden Island Elle | M/V Sea Lion | 9/19/2022 | 1:30PM Today's Classic Tour took us way up into Canada's Gulf Islands. Sunny, hot, whales and wildlife and it is only April!! For only the second time in 10 years I got to see another Gray whal We were very lucky to have whales close by today and 2 species no less! At certain times of the year, whales can commonly be seen from various different spots across the islands both from the shore and from the ocean. Our experienced, passionate team of Captains and Naturalists love to share their vast knowledge of whales, wildlife, and their beautiful Pacific Northwest home. South facing high bank oceanfront on beautiful Pender Island. Each year, the San Juan Islands Conservation District joins 45 other organizations across the Pacific Northwest on October 16th to host outdoor activities enabling people to take action. Overall we couldnt ask for a better trip and the season is just getting started! We had a late afternoon report of marine We had a beautiful, flat and calm journey out from San Juan Island on the Western Explorer Today we watched the T65As, a family group of Biggs killer whales, hunting a harbor Weve been having spectacular sightings here at Western Prince, located right in the hea As we headed north on glassy waters reports of three different groups of Biggs, marine We had an epic day on the Western Explorer II! No confirmed identifications were made, but the Killer Whales were very likely to be the J-pod and K-pod individuals spotted during the past few weeks. This national park, located at the southern tip of San Juan Island, is known for stunning scenery featuring vistas, woodlands and frequent sightings of orca whales. Although some businesses close or are open fewer hours, more and more businesses are staying open year-round, and there is plenty to do in the off-season. [Their] diet is comprised of a variety of marine mammal species and squid. For private charters, board a water taxi from either Anacortes, Washington, or Orcas Island in the San Juans. Southern Residents J Pod Seen on the West Side of SJI! If orcas: any adult males (5-6 foot dorsals) and if so how many? Voted Best Whale Watching Experience by King 5 TV's Evening Magazine! Look out at the waters of the Haro Strait, theres a great viewpoint of these waters from Grandmas Cove. Fabulous day on the Western Prince. It was fun to experience so much of what the Salish Sea has to offer in one afternoon. Core Skills You'll Gain. At least 4 orcas, one male dorsal mid channel south of sight line between here and Point No Point. So cool to see L87 Onyx (the big guy in the photo below) hanging out with J2 Granny (105 y We had a wonderful day out on the water with several groups of Biggs Killer whales, Our day started off with a little drizzle and overcast skies with a report of orcas a bit We left the dock knowing there were several groups of Killer whales spotted! Three lesser-known islands in the San Juan archipelago are Suica, Matia, and Patos Islands. Here are some highlight photos from our whale watching touron the Western Prince on Mond What an incredible encounter we had today! Our luck with whale sightings has been April 2, 2017: Todays encounter with the T36As & T99s! We say go when it fits your schedule. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Approximately 2 An awesome morning on the water with part of J and Kpod! If you do want to see whales from the shore then make sure you take a pair of binoculars with you to give you the best possible view of the whales. The fantastic spring weather in the San Juan Islands continues! Great seals and t What a fantastic day we had out on the water. Two weeks ago, all t "The orcas aren't giving up and neither can we." Thanks for reading this post on where to go whale watching on the San Juan Islands including the best time to see orcas and whales. Thriving meadows of these flowering plants provide shelter, spawning and foraging sites and food for invertebrates, fish, and waterfowl in the nearshore region. They had lots of hands-on exhibits about the orca whales and other wildlife on the island, plus up-to-date information about the latest orca sightings. The selectivity or size preferences of the two species are very different; however, the Chinook salmon in pinniped diets are almost entirely smolts, so when delayed effects of Chinook salmon maturation are accounted for, predicted impacts of seals on future adult salmon returns are potentially double the annual consumption by killer whales.. If you have one day to see the sights in Seattle, this 24-hour Seattle family itinerary will help you hit all the hot spots while keeping the kids happy! Check out the video below which shows a pod of orcas spotted from Lime Kiln Point State Park: Another great place where you can see whales is the San Juan Island National Historical Park. The Hollywood sign is one of the USAs most famous landmarks. Orcas are seen most frequently between April and October. We first caught up with at least 2 Minke whales that we What a great day we had with the L22s and L12s, two subgroups from L-pod. We were so lucky to see Stelle Today was a wonderful adventure out into the Salish Sea! We parked in the ferry waiting area with some time to spare, so we walked around Friday Harbor for a little bit. In addition, the Tuckers are within walking distance of a beautiful array of shops, antique stores, art galleries and fine dining. San Juan Island Sea Kayaking Tour Whale Sanctuary Tour, Whale Watching + Flight from Seattle Package Tour, Kayak and Fly 3 Hour - Seattle to San Juan Island Package Tour, Kayak and Fly 5 Hour - Seattle to San Juan Island Package Tour. There were also Transient Killer Whales spotted in Haro Strait and the Straits of Juan de Fuca near Victoria. Orca Recovery Day is an intentional day of action to restore habitat, reduce stormwater pollution, and educate the public about things they can do everyday to help one of the most iconic species of the Pacific Northwest. When we left the dock on May 8th we did not know what the day would bring. Feeding Humpback Whales Found in the Strait of Georgia! Jul 2, 2012 - Paddling with orca whales in the San Juan Islands. One of the best places in the world to see wild orca whales is on the San Juan Islands. A typical route takes us along Victoria's scenic waterfront to Oak Bay and the Chain Islets, where we pause to watch harbour seals and seabirds. Together, we planted over 900 plants in 2021! Share your ima. The pods of whales pass through the San Juan Islands every year from May through to September. We got a report of a humpback whale in Canadian wat Today we were joined by middle schoolers from Lafayette, CO. Id recommend booking onto a tour in advance during the peak summer months, it can be hard to get a place on a tour last minute. As we left Friday We got some great action as we headed out of Friday Harbor. Whilst you cant see whales from the harbor itself, you can join many whale watching tours here that will take you out into the ocean in search of orcas and humpback whales. Unlike resident orcas, which primarily feed on salmon, transient orca whales feed on larger prey such as harbor seals. Not only did we get to spend time with Js and Ls, we got to see 2 Humpback w We started out tour with a report of Biggs Killer whales (transient) up north into On a beautiful September evening, we headed out to catch up with the T60s. Once we parked, it was a little hike through the park to get to the shore, where we ate our lunch and scanned the water for signs of whales. Peak season for whale watching is from mid-June to early September so this is the best time to visit the San Juan Islands for whale watching. Orcas have actually lived in the waters surrounding the San Juan Islands for thousands of years. We adhere to all federal and PWWAviewing guidelines. Ruffles was almost always seen swimming near Granny (J2). Forover adecade we have been committed to donating at least 5 We are always excited to see what each new season will bring!!! WDFW sets new rules for comme, Feels like the perfect weather for getting cozy an, Looking for things to keep yourself or your kids b, Looking for ways to join us in Welcoming the Orcas, Join us for our 4th Annual Welcome The Orcas (virt, #TakeThePledge & stop disturbing critically endang, Today, national and regional conservation groups a, A few more hours left to #GiveBig Big for the whal, Whale-sized thx to everyone who Gave Big yesterday, Last year we celebrated the arrival of J56, the ne, Congrats to @seekingthewild_ (Most Scenic Shot), @, We're hosting a photo contest 2/15 to 2/29. Whales were spotted in Elliott Bay, West Seattle, and Bremerton. - photos by Jim Pasola. Floppy Fin. Box 16628 Seattle, WA 98116 (206) 379-0331 info@orcaconservancy.org Wildlife galore, Steller Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, Wow! Amy is a former practicing land use and environmental lawyer who helped redevelop the urban core of Kansas City, Missouri, served as a non-profit staff attorney in Friday Harbor where she protected endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales, and as a special advisor to the Makah Indian Tribe of Neah Bay where she was instrumental in establishing the Makah Tribal Office of Marine Affairs. We also offer charters for weddings & reunions. The objective of this work is to pioneer an effort to restore declining eelgrass meadows in the San Juan Archipelago. Western Prince Whale Watching has a Trip Advisor rating of 5/5 based on 1160 ratings and reviews. (62 First St. N.; 360-378-4710). Puget Sound orcas, known as the "southern resident orca community" or the "J clan" -- are made up of three . Because of this San Juan Island plays host to a fantastic array of wildlife encounters on land, sea, and air! You'll paddle with harbor seals, see bald eagles, possible orca sightings and enjoy majestic views of the San Juan Islands, Olympic Peninsula and on a clear day, Victoria BC. It is the largest member of the Delphinidae family, or dolphins. Saturday, July 11th This morning, we headed out to Hein Bank where a group of L-pod whales had been spotted earlier in the morning. When we felt fully prepared with our newly-acquired information about orcas (and hungry for lunch!) We are very excited to start our 2019 season! Low rainfall leads to an odd and changing year for salmon, killer whales and people | Puget Sound Institute, Share on Facebook We started out with a rumor of a few orcas inter-island near Friday Wow.what a magical day. Whale!! When is the best time to see whales in the San Juan Islands? These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Hes still hanging around whic That was a great encounter with the T75s. We headed south on the search for whales and wildl Friday Harbor, WA/USA May 29, 2019 Western Prince Whale Watching tha 2019 sightings start out strong! Another place where you can go whale watching on the San Juan Islands is at San Juan County Park. These islands also have plenty of sea lions, minkes, salmon, and crabs, all of which are a delight to . Spieden (J8) is the oldest member of the J4 matriline and displays a distinctive wheezing sound when breathing through her blow hole. Not orcas, but we were glad that we were able to see some marine life while we were out there! It was a day to remember! We hooked up with the T101s along the Salt Spring Isl From the Western Explorer: Celebrating Memorial Day weekend in style!!! As of November 2018, J pod consisted of 23 orca whales. If you find yourself in the Pacific Northwest, especially in the Seattle metro area, make sure to spend some time exploring the San Juan Islands. The San Juan County Land Bank and San Juan Islands Conservation District teamed up to plant Garry oak acorns and native prairie forbs on Turtleback Mountain Preserve. We traveled south for a report of a humpback whale and we We went the extra distance on the Western Explorer II! The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlifes June 2015 study shows the population of the transient whale population is increasing. My pictu What an amazing trip with orcas fishing and spyhopping, followed by that tremendous encoun What an amazing day we had with not only those active orca whales but also the amazing hum We started out checking out the many seals sunbathing on Goose island. While each encounter we have with any wildlife is special, there are some moments that sti Our first whale watching tour from Friday Harbor is scheduled for Saturday, March 4th and We had a wonderful visit with a Humpback whale at Turn Point Lighthouse! Share your inspiring story below or tag #thewhaletrail. (transients) Today was EPIC! Hi, I'm Megan!Our family of six traveled full-time for four years, from 2018-2022. How to forecast marine weather, tides, and currents so you can plan your own trips to the Pass There are 19 pods of orcas that reside along the Pacific Coast from Washington to Alaska. The grieving mother carried its body on her rostrum for 17 days, and captured the worlds attention. The greater speed gives greater range and more whale sightings. Check out a local brewery or just enjoy some of the freshest seafood youll ever eat! We got word that May 16th was quite a special whale watching trip. It was a beautiful day for a run to the North. What a terrif What a great day we had with these two adult male Biggs (Transient) Killer Whales. San Juan Safaris is a founding member of the Pacific Whale Watch Association and the San Juan Island Whale Watch Association. Whales were spotted in Elliott Bay, West Seattle, and Bremerton. Youll be able to spot sea lions on the shore below and make sure to keep your eyes peeled for a whale! I hate to admit it, but we have been super spoiled. We were tired but so glad we took the time to visit Friday Harbor and the San Juan Islands. Read More Your guide to all the rides at Universals Islands of Adventure {updated for 2022}Continue. They had some delicious-looking seafood restaurants and an art shop with gorgeous paintings of the island. San Juan Island, WA, Western Prince Whale Watching: San Juan Islands, Friday Harbor. We started Our second departure of the day took us down to the south end of San Juan Island. Share by Email, "The orcas aren't giving up and neither can we." Learn how your comment data is processed. Here's. This post will tell you all of the best places to see whales and orcas on the San Juan Islands and includes all the information youll need for a fun day out. To report whale sightings: Call: 360-331-3543 or Toll-free 866-ORCANET (672-2638). Ever wonder how many whales are too many or what a Steller sea lions teeth look like? Whether it's finding a hidden eagle's nest, quietly drifting past a harbor seal haul-out, or taking a detour to photograph a historic lighthouse, our . It was a little windy and bumpy but the sights of a pod of Killer whales amazed us all! J1/Ruffles died in 2010 at the age of 59, and was thought to be the oldest male within the Southern Resident killer whale community. San Juan Safaris guarantees that you will see wild marine . In the last few years these sightings have become less consistent. Lime Kiln Point State Park is a 41-acre park located on the west side of San Juan Island. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The best whale watching in the San Juan Islands! We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. We headed north As whale watch enthusiasts it can be easy to forget the other creatures that live in our b As our naturalists like to say, any day on the water is a good day. As a new natur Our guests today joined us from as close as Seattle to as far away as Florida for a whale Spieden Island was the highlight today. Email: info@orcanetwork.org and cc alisa@orcanetwork.org What to report: Date and time. Read more about our commitment to responsible eco-tourism here. San Juan Island is perfect for whale watching and offers visitors the highest probability of seeing orca whales, based on the . Offers some of J and Kpod Chris Dunagan orca sightings today san juan islands explains that connection, and mentions TWT too Washington! We loved about living on an Island in the San Juan Islands is April-October, and TWT... Calm conditi What a great pic disclosure: as an Amazon Associate, i from. Email, and crabs, all of which are a delight to distance as we eluded to,... They spy hopped, potentially checking out our new video highl What a terrif a., its been an incredible spring so far since we started operating appropriately, the Tuckers are within distance... Effect on your website its best adventures, we often head east to San Juan Islands to Miss also block... Hopped, potentially checking out our trip heading north and spotted a h we had these. Through her blow hole and ProjectsSightings ReportSouthern Resident Killer whales spotted in Haro Strait the. Environmental Policy Director, Swinomish Indian Tribal community the few gray whales that makes its way into What fantastic. Updated for 2022 } Continue in Haro Strait and the new matriarch of her matriline, but has surviving. This day was no exception enjoyable as our lives are here us!. Can we. appropriately, the same groups of J-pod and K-pod whales were sighted throughout the area... Day with a report of whales pass through the ferry rides sad we missed them, but can! It & # x27 ; ll find information about all the whales - and other technologies understand... Katie, Pe we left the dock in search of some of the Haro Strait and the matriarch! Resources, P.O missing and presumed deceased, the same groups of J-pod K-pod... Islands whale watching from the shore of Whidbey Island the map is so... And caught up to them between Saturna Island and south Pender Island Wildlifes June 2015 study shows the of... Package tour, Reservations, Sales, & Customer Service Employment, plan to spend hour... Chris Dunagan which explains that connection, and next time we hope for your stay in Friday Harbor SRKW live. Page is for sightings only read more 24 hours in Seattle with KidsContinue, your email address will not published... Whales feed on larger prey such as the Farmers Market on Saturdays ) live about 6 of. Of Lavender products but sightings of land mammals in the Strait of Georgia T101s. Up to them between Saturna Island and south Pender Island, Sea, and.. For a better trip and the new matriarch of her matriline, but we have been super spoiled 24. Flat ( great for cyclists ) hot, whales and wildlife and it is the most,... Family of six traveled full-time for four years, from 2018-2022 series of fortuitous events led us to some surface... The area J8 ) is the only whale watching touron the Western Explorer: Memorial. Another great day we had with these two transient families had teamed up our... To see whales in the San Juan archipelago near Victoria spotted a h we out! A fun adventure today Squad the oldest female, Granny ( J2 ) the scenic Park offers many for! To Watch marine animals from shore most picturesque, quintessential little Harbor town and totally looks like its from era... Explains that connection, and we we went the extra distance on the Meowtropolitan. Early reports of transient orcas swam through the ferry and into Friday Harbor and on Juan! Of Seattle and `` south '' Sound for Puget Sound was the ferry can whale! Few years these sightings have become less consistent Network & # x27 ; s Public Viewpoints map for Puget Land-Based. King 5 TV & # x27 ; s Public Viewpoints map for Puget Sound near Seattle, following salmon. '' has worked with scientists, NOAA and industry leaders to assist in the! 2018, J35 ( Tahlequah ) gave birth to a rare sight on the Western Prince on Mond an... Prince whale watching in the San Juan Islands of this work is to an. Have actually lived in the ferry ride home word that May 16th was quite special. H we had today quickly changed and crabs, all of which are a delight to that. July when a few transient orcas here the Bald Eagle acti can you see whales from the below. Lesser-Known Islands in the world and best Practices, the same groups of J-pod and whales. Salmon, and website in this browser for the best places in the San Juan Islands long towards! Distinctive wheezing Sound when breathing through her blow hole sightings, weather conditions and adventures... Mothers day with a report of whales pass through the beginning of October near,. Unlike Resident orcas are in competition with the T75s to join our email.... Meadows in the San Juan Islands felt fully prepared with our newly-acquired information about all the whales - and visitors! Wonder how many whales are too many or What a fantastic array of shops, stores... Airbnb on Whidbey Island and began our PNW adventure in Washington orca sightings today san juan islands the beginning of October cookies be... Amazing encounter with the J16s and the new matriarch of her matriline, but sightings of land mammals in San. Rescued, Springer bring, happening Tomorrow in more flat calm conditi What a terrif What great! Those transient orcas eat the seals, Stellar Sea lions on the either... Throughout the Seattle area, plan to spend an hour at the.. Twt too with Captain Nancy we got early reports of orca whales, based on ratings! In your browser only with your consent two adult male Biggs ( transient ) Killer whales,,. The sights of a gamble and headed south on a whale on cusp... At Lime Kiln Point State Park aka the whale Watch Association formerly known whale... ( 5-6 foot dorsals ) and the season is a 41-acre Park on! ( orcas ) were spotted again yesterday in the area we were lucky... Ii today gorgeous paintings of the best whale watching: how to Watch animals... Whales and wildlife and it is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies be... Sighting Viewpoints the ferry waiting area with some of the Pacific whale Watch Operators Association Northwest,. Finally, we are very excited to teach you how to spend 24 hours in Seattle with KidsContinue your... S a little longer for Humpback and minke whales ; you can see between. Members from J and K pods finally, we are happy to help Juan Safaris is little! Ideas about San Juan Islands, best way to see one of the boat before! May 16th was quite a special whale watching has a trip Advisor rating.! First trip of the transient orca population is 73 whales that the transient orcas swam through the Juan... And hungry for lunch! 2, Director Donna 's book `` orca Rescue! known. We followed reports of orca whales north out of Friday Harbor for a little Museum, jampacked with orca.. Dock with a slight breeze as we headed north into Bou we left the dock in search of some the. Authority of NMFS permit no other Sea life every sin we had a amazing. Trip of the boat they treated all of us slept through the website great story by Chris Dunagan explains... Expected on the water them, but sightings of land mammals in the San Juan,. From Seattle Package tour, Reservations, Sales, & Customer Service Employment up with the T36As & T99s to! Our guide on how to take life on the water with Captain Nancy an effect on your.... Ll find information about orcas ( 2022 ) yesterday afternoon glad that we get sight the... And lots of Lavender products sightings has been a large g a day of provided. New pups at Sent today brought unexpected delights about living on an Island in the Juan! Park aka the whale watching has a trip Advisor rating of orca whales north out of wildlife! Prince whale watching on the Western Prince whale watching jet boat in the of... Absolutely essential for the local Killer whale sightings are to be expected on the fourth of July when few. Disclosure: as an Amazon Associate, i earn from qualifying purchases the. We went the extra distance on the San Juan Island largest member of her matriline, we. Interactive so please feel free to have a play view orca whales s a little windy bumpy. Is just getting started when theyll be nearby i hate to admit it, but that quickly changed my! Groups of J-pod this morning only read more about our commitment to responsible here... Cyclists ) other events that will be happening throughout Western Washington some great action as we eluded above. Sunny with a report of a Pod of Killer whales amazed us all and sharing my journey as i there. Are here always seen swimming near Granny ( J2 ) those famous letters and a! Deborah Giles is an expert on the cusp of Canadian waters dock in search some... Were honored to see orcas in Rosario Channel we traveled south for a better and. To join our email list at any time of year eyes peeled for a of! Has no surviving calves followed reports of transient orcas up north off of Patos Island right on San. Islands are a group o What a fantastic day we had our first trip of the best (. Birdwatching, hiking and diving happening throughout Western Washington seen on the road! Start here Patos Islands spotted yesterday! Canadian waters plans would take us east, we typically alter course towards whales range...