  Killer
Whale Orcas Island
The 172 San Juan islands offer endless recreational
opportunities, from sailing, sea kayaking, hiking, scuba diving, and cycling,
but no visit to the San Juan Islands is complete without a trip on
one of these unforgettable excursions to see the magnificent killer
whales and other wildlife that inhabit these waters.
Where To Go
Bellingham, WA, is the perfect place to catch one
of many whale watching tours departing either from Fairhaven's
cruise terminal or Bellingham's Scualicum Harbor
Marina. Whether you take one of
the exciting new high-speed catamarans or choose one of the larger
specially designed whale watching boats for a relaxing cruise of the
San Juans, you are in for a very special experience that you will
never forget.
Many area whale watching tour operators network with
each other and even use spot planes to keep track of the whale's
current location. Some whale-watching tour operators boast a 98%
success rate! Some Whale Watching excursions also include a
delicious salmon and baked chicken meal included with your fare and
a stop in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, making your trip to the
islands truly a memorable experience.
 WHALE
WATCHING
The San Juan Islands are a favorite Pacific Northwest vacation spot
and
Washington State is one of the most popular whale watching regions in the
world.
On your whale watching excursion you may also see a variety
of other wildlife such as, bald eagles, puffins, porpoise, sea otters, and
numerous harbor seals, but everyone's favorite is the magnificent
Orcas. The resident Orca whale population
thrills and delights visitors year round but there are also other pods of whales
that visit the area to feed on salmon and to give birth in the protected waters
of the San Juan Islands.
WHALE WATCHING COUPONS : Save on whale watching
excursions by looking for coupons in tourist circulars and visitor
information guides. You can also look for Whale Watching Coupons
online for savings of up to $20.00 off for everyone in your group
which really is a fantastic deal.
|
|
 Alaskan Marine Highway System
One really great way to see whales is to go where the whales
go--Alaska. Beginning in Bellingham, the
Alaskan Marine Highway
is America's
gateway to Alaska. Regular car and passenger ferries depart Bellingham,
making stops in Prince Rupert, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau,
Haines, Skagway, and more.
On your journey you will experience the beauty
of Alaska's Fjords, glaciers & forests. You may also catch a
glimpse of migrating whales, eagles, and other wildlife on your trip
through the inside passage. Bellingham is proud to be the home of
ISLAND MARINER CRUISES, one
of the oldest cruise operators on Puget Sound and one of the best.
For more information visit their official website at :
http://www.orcawatch.com/
ALASKAN CRUISES FROM SEATTLE
|
|
If you are whale watching from a private boat you'll want to be aware of the voluntary
no-boat zone on the west side of San Juan Island from Mitchell bay to the north
down to false bay near the south end of San Juan Island. While this
is considered a no-motor boat zone, you may want to also avoid it altogether
even if you have a kayak or rowboat just to give the whales some time to
themselves.
Like a celebrity, our resident population of Killer Whales
are constantly being followed and photographed, and while they
don't seem to mind too much, they could decide one day that
they
 don't want to be bothered anymore and go elsewhere
to raise their young and spend their days. The no-boat zone includes the coastline offshore from Lime
Kiln state park which is so popular with whales that's also known as whale watching park. If
you want to watch whales but don't like the idea of being on a boat, or you just
want to view these magnificent creatures without bothering them
in any way, you should consider doing it from the ashore by visiting Lime Kiln state
park instead.
Note: Most whale watching tour operators have a
genuine love and respect for these amazing animals, and are
very careful not to bother them in any way. Some excursion boats even keep a further distance from them
than the law requires just to be certain they are not a nuisance
to the whales.
Before setting out for a day of Whale Watching on Puget
Sound you may want to check the weather first. Current
Weather For
Orcas Island Washington |
|
 |
|
|
|
San
Juan Island's No Boat Zone
