Whale Watching from Friday Harbor
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
The best orca whale watching is from Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, just an easy day trip adventure from downtown Seattle. The San Juan Islands are considered the "jewel" of the Pacific Northwest, located in the Puget Sound.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
For maximum safety children under 2 should be in a harness carrier strapped to a parent and remain in the cabin
Restrooms are available on board the boat
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
San Juan Island
San Juan Island is considered one of the best place to view wild orca whales because the surrounding nutrient rich water of the Salish Sea. These nutrients draw all types of marine animals, including large marine mammals like orcas. Take this Whale watching tour and see orca whales, during peak season we have a 90-95% success rate of spotting orca, minke, humpback and gray whales. What is the best time to see orca whales? Anytime. They are out and about all day. Aside from whales, many other marine mammals like harbor seals and stellar sea lions, as well as various sea birds, bald eagles and some unique terrestrial mammals are all common sightings! You'll definitely 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.
What‘s Included
Whale Watching Cruise
Local taxes
Friday Harbor Port Fee
Any and All Transportation to/from Friday Harbor, San Juan Island
Gratuities
We do not provide any food or beverage, though guests are wecome to bring their own.
You must take a ferry or float plane to get to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island where our tour departs from. We recommend taking the ferry as a walk on passenger.
Options
12:30pm Departure-ROCHE HARBOR
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Departing from Roche Harbor, a 20 minute drive from Friday Harbor. Boarding begins 5:10pm at 248 Reuben Memorial Drive.
Starting point:
248 Reuben Memorial Dr, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, USA
12:30pmDeparture-FRIDAY HARBOR
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Departing from Friday Harbor. Check in at our office 40 minutes prior to departure at 10 Front Street Suite 102.
Starting point:
10 Front St N suite 102, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, USA
5:30pm Departure-ROCHE HARBOR
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Departing from Roche Harbor, a 20 minute drive from Friday Harbor. Boarding begins 5:10pm at 248 Reuben Memorial Drive.
Starting point:
248 Reuben Memorial Dr, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, USA
Reviews
787 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent trip
Jackie D,Apr 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent trip! Saw tons of stuff! Eagles, humpback & a Tea Party of Orcas!! Was so amazing & the crew was so knowledgeable. Can not recommend enough!
Family of whales
kellyduerden,Apr 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Abby, Kelly and Captain Vaughn were excellent. They found a family of whales for is to see!!
Nice tour but no whales
mythridwarakanath,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00We travelled during April, we didn’t see any whales at all. Saw a few other animals but no whales. May be too early in the season for the whales. Not sure if it’s a good idea to spend so much and not being able to see it. However the people and the tour company were very nice.
Wonderful Experience
D8654SUjoshm,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went out on Friday afternoon with family from the UK visiting. We had been out on another tour with friends who visited last summer and now have the ability to compare our experiences. First, we were able to see a family pod of Orcas up close just as we did with our previous experience but our naturalist, Abby was so energetic and knowledgeable. She proactively shared information and her joy-filled demeanor gave our experience an extra special experience. Highly recommend this tour and if you get Abby and Captain Tom, you will be sure to have a great experience!
Bucket list...CHECKED!
483sherrylb,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My cousin came from DC, for a mini vacation, and we could not have ended it on a better note! The captain and the naturalists were fun and informative. We saw 4 Orcas, sea lions, seals, and a bald eagle with a fledgling. Goose Island had many birds, also...Thank you, Captain and Crew! Sherryl
Whale watching
Inspire67333886704,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Great narration, saw 4 killer whales, sea lions and bald eagles. Would be nice if inside cabin had some heat and tge bathroom had some paper towels to wipe hands. 4 hour tour was only 3 hours but we did see lots and enjoyed.
Amazing Trip
cindylbradley,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience. Saw lots of wildlife, and several whales. Staff was great and kept us well informed. Would do it again in a heartbeat.
It's the first whale...
Eric H,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It's the first whale watching tour in 2026, and we were lucky to saw 3 killer whales and many seals on the rocks. The naturalist Kelly is very professional and the captain Gabe and Pete are friendly. We had a good time even though our kids are 3 years old and 9 months old. We'll be back in summertime!
Super fun experience!
Inspiration700804,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I feel super lucky they were able to accommodate last minute participants! Folks are really good at finding whales and educating us about the importance of keeping wildlife safe and undisturbed. Saw a few orca pods, and tons of humpback flukes!
3 hrs. of sheer excitement
mwhamburger,Oct 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00we were told that the tour would be between 3 and 4 hrs. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. We got to see 2 transient orca whales who were moving along the coast and we could watch them for a long time as they surfaced, etc. Very exciting! Along Spidel island we saw many deer (not endemic) who were brought there for hunting; quite a few eagles, a large sea lion, many sea birds, etc. The scenery is simply awesome and adds to the experience!! Announcements on the ship were very difficult to hear and the ship itself, the Odyssey, quite noisy. Cost is $125 pp plus taxes and fees; for the 3 of us it came to $418.19 There's a small galley aboard and 2 bathrooms; inside and outside seating; fortunately we didn't have a full ship.
From US$135.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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Operated by San Juan Safaris