Usually the peak whale watching season is May – mid-July, however, it seems like the sightings are getting better and better as we get further into the summer season. Canadian Islands, the outer coast, and even down to California!. ... and we'd love to spend some time with you on the water! With cold water and plenty of prey like salmon to feed on, Puget Sound is the go-to place for whale watching, meaning Seattleites don’t have to travel far to get a glimpse of these majestic mammals that call the sound their home. The arrival of migrating whales to the Puget Sound is an undeniable signal of spring to Seattle, and one of the best sights of the year for the area. A gray whale near Seattle. While on the tour you can also expect to see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales, as well as sea lions and seals. The most common whale watching tours involve groups ranging from 20 to 100 people in boats of different sizes. New Customer Special • $50 Off Deep Cleaning GET INSTANT PRICING, Home » Blog » The Best Whale-Watching Sights on the Puget Sound. Update, Dec. 18, 2020: State officials have approved new rules that limit whale watch boats to a three-month season for viewing Puget Sound’s endangered killer whales.They will only be allowed from July through September. The Puget Sound whale watching season runs from April through the end of September. Puget Sound Express: Whale watching! If you don’t want to get anywhere near the water, however, you can still enjoy the spectacle of whale watching in the Puget Sound while staying safe and dry inland. www.gonewhalewatching.com. Gray whales are also very famous because they stop at the Puget to say hi on their long trip between Baja California down in Mexico to Alaskan waters, and are a common sight during the months of March and April. If you prefer a smaller boat, there are several options available, up to and including a kayaking tour if you leave out of the San Juans. Large blows spurting from the water indicate their presence, but you can recognize what species they are by their fins and tails. Some other popular spots are Everett, Anacortes, and Port Townsend, which are all closer to the San Juans than Seattle. Puget Sound waters teem with wildlife that attracts these mammals close to the shore. Docked along the shores of Port Townsend is the Puget Sound Express, a four-hour whale-watching tour. The question of whether boat-based watching tours are really harmless has become more urgent in Washington state, where Southern Resident killer whales have been declining since the 1990s. Puget Sound Whale Watching Tours highliner 2020-03-13T15:34:33+00:00 We are outdoor enthusiasts who Specialize In Small Group adventures for folks of all ages Check out our popular combination tours which allow you to build a private adventure for your family or friends! Puget Sound Express Whale Watching Tours Downtown Seattle . However, keep in mind that every year is different depending on the ecosystem. From late March to June, approximately 18,000 gray whales migrate north from their breeding grounds in Baja California up to the Bering Sea. Bringing a pair of binoculars is mandatory for these experiences, but you’ll be able to enjoy them from Point Defiance, Point No Point, and a quick ferry trip to Point Robinson. Day-long whale watching tours from Seattle, around Whidbey Island, to the iconic San Juan Islands. Gray Whales can be spotted near Whidbey Island. Gray Whale season is really starting to get rolling so now is a good time to book! We’ll go over some of the basics and offer you tips to make the most of your experience. Guaranteed to see a whale on all tours! Bringing a pair of binoculars is mandatory for these experiences, but you’ll be able to enjoy them from Point Defiance, Point No Point, and a quick ferry trip to Point Robinson. By the time the season opened for business, the ownership had changed hands and the new owners refuse to honor the gift certificates. Also, whale watching tours depart from the city of Anacortes located on Fidalgo Island, east of the San Juan Archipelago. Puget Sound waters teem with wildlife that attracts these mammals close to the shore. Each spring (February, March, April, May, and the beginning of June) provides one of the best whale watching opportunities in Washington. San Francisco, late December–January (south) | mid-March–April (north). Puget Sound Express: Whale watching - See 1,997 traveler reviews, 552 candid photos, and great deals for Port Townsend, WA, at Tripadvisor. or. While you’ll be guaranteed to see whales (or your money back! Click here for important COVID-19 policies. Looking for the telltale signs of whales is a good way to know you’re in the right spot and identifying what kind of whale you’re watching. They are much harder to predict, as they travel back and forth between lower Puget Sound, Whidbey Island, the San Juans, the B.C. Even though orcas are the most common and popular sight in the Sound, many of their cousins also make an appearance throughout the year. See whales in the wild on Puget Sound Express's half-day whale watching tours in Seattle/Edmonds How To Prepare Your Home For A Romantic Valentine’s Day Date, How To Reduce Stress In Kids: A Helpful Guide For Parents, Money-Saving Tips to keep your Home Warmer, The Best 2021 New Year’s Resolutions For You And Your Home, Simple DIY Ideas For Saving On Holiday Decorating This Year. ... Gone Whale Watching San Diego. ), if you’re expecting them to be jumping over your boat in graceful arcs, or “posing” for photos by treading water Sea World style, then you’re going to be disappointed. There are plenty of good whale watching tours out there, don't give your money to Puget Sound Express. Sightings are typically in the 90% or greater range, but every year is different. Best Orca whale watching in the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound off the coast of Washington State, near Seattle. There really isn't a best month! While plenty of commercial tours will charter you around the sound, whale watching does not always require a boat. Log In. For orcas, we typically say October through December. There’s nothing quite like seeing Puget Sound’s largest and most majestic residents from an up-close and personal vantage point. Regardless of size, a boat is the best option if you want to be as (reasonably) close to the water and the animals themselves as possible. The San Juan Islands, Salish Sea, and Puget Sound is one of the World’s best whale-watching destinations, with more than 500,000 people visiting every year. Orca tours are offered between mid-February and November, while humpback whales, grey whales, and minke whales may be spotted throughout the year. A study prepared for International Fund for Animal Welfare in 2009 estimated that 13 million people went whale watching globally in 2008. Bigg’s (mammal-hunting) orcas live in these waters all months of the year, as do humpback whales. Orca whales usually pass through the islands in greatest numbers between mid-May and mid-October when the salmon runs are strongest, although it's possible to spot them through the rest of the year. More than 20,000 gray whales migrate along the west coast each year. The San Juan Islands, located 140 km north of Seattle in the heart of Salish Sea, is the most famous place for orca whale watching. By heading out to the water and looking for them, we find ourselves having a deeper connection with the region we call home, forging memories that will last our entire lives. Watching the Sound’s oldest and largest residents is a joy, but while booking a trip is the preferred option for most, there are many ways to go about it depending on what species of whale you’re watching, the time of the year, and yes, even if you’re on a boat or not. 4,118 were here. The 2021 whale watch season has started! is one of Seattle’s most famous spectacles, but it’s important to know the above information in order to have a good experience and properly enjoy it. There is also the scenic Deception Pass, which is worth exploring. Symbolizing wildness and awe, whale watching today helps connect us with the days of Puget Sound past. Whale watching in the Puget Sound is a must-do when you visit Seattle, but it’s an exercise in expectation setting. http://pugetsoundexpress.com - Guaranteed whale watching tours from Port Townsend (Olympic Peninsula) and Seattle/Edmonds direct to the San Juan Islands. Dom. Southern Resident Orcas are seen year-round, but most of the whales in the area are just passing through. ... Continue Reading New Washington Whale-Watching Boat Rules To … Sometimes, a flock of seagulls means that whales are nearby since they usually swirl overhead when the latter are feeding to swoop in and snag some leftovers. If you’re visiting around late March or early April, you might want to bet on a boat with indoor seating, since the Sound can be pretty chilly in that period. Bald Eagles, porpoises, and other interesting seabirds inhabit the islands and are easily spotted near the shore. The boats may only be near the endangered orcas twice a day -- two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. By Jes Burns April 22, 2018.

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