Most Seattle residents will consider it lucky to spot a single whale while in town, but those with an eye to the water may see multiple whales each year. There are seven species of whales and dolphins that frequent the Puget Sound and Salish Sea (the waters that run up to the west of Vancouver Island): orcas, transient orcas, gray whales, humpback whales, minkes, fin whales, pacific white-sided dolphins, and pseudorcas. “North Kitsap is a great hotspot for all species, but especially orcas as they pass close to shore as they cut that point coming into the Sound,” she says. After boat noise and disturbance were identified as factors in the decline of orcas, new regulations were passed in 2019 prohibiting watercraft from going within 200 yards of orcas and from parking within an orca path. All the news you missed in between reading about coronavirus. Luckily, Brooks dished on some of her favorite viewing spots and expert tips. The Puget Sound is home to a few species of whales, including humpback and orcas. Your best chances for orca sightings on the ferry are between October and February on the Bainbridge, Bremerton, Vashon, Coupeville and Edmonds runs. Each spot is beautiful in its own right, giving you a glimpse of Washington’s marine life nearly every weekend of the year. If you live near Puget Sound, Possession Sound, Saratoga Passage, Hood Canal, Admiralty Inlet, or Fidalgo Island, you can find the best whale-watching spots near you by clicking HERE. Once you have confirmation that whales are in the area, there are a handful of local beaches and water access points to possibly catch a glimpse of them. 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. Check out Orca Network’s Whale Sighting View Points map to see hotspots as far north as the San Juan Islands. Puget Sound Express Whale Watching Tours Downtown Seattle . If you are lucky enough to see a breach (when two-thirds of a whale’s body comes out of the water) be sure to look for any distinguishing markings such as white undersides on orcas and patches of barnacles on gray whales. Protected and usually calm Puget Sound waters. Our 4-hour whale watching cruise departs Port Townsend both in the morning (10am) and in the afternoon (2:30pm). If you see birds hovering around one location, watch the area for any dorsal fins or tails. While Seattle is defined by stunning mountain views, the Puget Sound is the heart and soul of the city. NE), Bush PointWhile viewing at South Whidbey State Park requires a Discover Pass and a hike, the public beach at Bush Point to the south of the park offers the same views of the Admiralty Inlet. The company guarantees that you will see a whale on your tour, and if you don’t, it comps another trip. The most popular place to go to spot whales is Alki Beach, where you’ll have great beach access and miles of water to view. To learn about minke whales, click here for the Northeast … A full list of tour options, as well as dining and lodging information can be found on the Visit San Juan Islands website. If booking a trip on a whale-watching tour isn’t of interest or not in your budget, you can still possibly see whales by riding the Washington State Ferry system. Whale Watching Tours - Puget Sound Whale Watching and Sightseeing Tours Morning and afterooon departures Our 3 1/2 hour whale watching tours depart at 9am and 2pm 7 days a … News Round Up: The West Seattle Bridge is Falling Down, Falling Down... How Climate Activist Jamie Margolin Plans to Save the World (and Graduate High School), Meet a Local Activist Fighting for Justice for Sexual Assault Survivors, Seattle Magazine Essentials: Coffee Awards, Green Smoothies and Sober Moms, 25 Most Influential People in Seattle 2020, 'Best of 2020' Readers Choice Survey Results, Myths Versus Realities in Applying to College During Covid-19, Putting the ‘Social’ in Social Distancing. These are by no means the only spots to see whales from the shore. Go whale watching in Seattle! While plans are in the works to continue to improve their habitat, there’s a great amount of concern for their future. The Puget Sound whale watching season runs from April through the end of September. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. 4,117 were here. While plenty of commercial tours will charter you around the sound, whale watching does not always require a boat. All Rights Reserved. The West Seattle Bridge may not be open until 2021; the Farmers Markets are starting to come back, and the Tulip festival would like you to stay home, please. If you take a car and ferry trip to Friday Harbor, you’ll have the opportunity to partake in numerous whale watching and wildlife tours, either by tour boat or kayak. Update on Health & Safety … The absolute best way to see which whales are nearby is to follow the Orca Network across their social media platforms and their website. Minke, humpback, and orcas are commonly seen between May and October, while gray whales are common in March and April as they head north for the summer. By getting to know the whales of the region, we have a better chance at understanding our impact on the Puget Sound and the animals that call it home. Grey whales have no dorsal fin, but their blows usually appear to be in a heart shape. (Freeland, E. Spyglass Dr.), Thomas Hladky Memorial ParkMore commonly known as Whale Bell Park, this park’s main feature is a brass bell (donated to the city of Langley by Orca Network) that visitors ring when they see a whale passing through the Saratoga Passage. While it’s always possible to see orcas, humpbacks, or minke whales on this tour, our main focus are the gray whales that … In Washington State, there are 46 sites that are designated whale watching areas, called the Whale Trail. San Juan Cruises has three whale watching tours - a Deluxe Whale Watch including a free salmon lunch and Friday Harbor visit, a Half-Day Whale Watching tour with a free lasagna lunch, and an Evening Whale Watching … Pay attention to connections with other speciesAs whales feed, gulls usually begin to swirl around overhead to snag any leftovers. The Langley Whale Center opened March 1, 2014. Leaving Seattle and heading to the San Juan Islands, the mecca of whale watching in the Pacific Northwest, this whale-watching tour also guarantees whale sightings and even gives you enough time to explore the town of Friday Harbor and their Whale Museum. There are seven species of whales and dolphins that frequent the Puget Sound and Salish Sea (the waters that run up to the west of Vancouver Island): orcas, transient orcas, gray … Point Robinson on Vashon Island are also great options. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. (Clinton, 8343 S. Franklin Rd. (Langley, 100 Anthes Ave.), Possession PointBrooks recommends this spot for viewing humpback whales, as they have been spotted in the shallow waters feeding on krill. (Vashon, 3705 SW Point Robinson Rd. Anacortes. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. There are many opportunities to observe the orcas from the many miles of shoreline on Whidbey Island, the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, and the inland waters of Puget Sound. Knowing where to be and what to look for can be the hardest part of spotting whales from the shore, especially for first time viewers. reaching the way up to the governor’s office, best chances for orca sightings on the ferry, Kenmore Air’s Scenic Flight and Whale Watching Boat Tour. These whales were almost hunted to extinction in the sound, but have made a comeback in recent years. If you would like to listen live to the orcas in the Puget Sound, visit orcasound.net for a livestream. The Whale Museum estimates that annually more than 500,000 people go whale watching on … Brooks says it also doesn’t hurt to watch where whale tour boats are stopping. (Hansville, 9009 Point No Point Rd. Another option from Seattle is the San Juan Clipper. Puget Sound Express - Family-Run Whale Watching Tours. While all whales in the region are dealing with this problem, the hardest hit in the Puget Sound are the orcas, also known as killer whales, although they’re technically in the dolphin family. If a tour is too much or you prefer to go self-guided, one of the best whale watching spots in the world is Lime Kiln Point State Park. Whale-wise Whale Watching Puget Sound Express is a proud member of the Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA), dedicated to responsible, sustainable marine … (Center for Whale Research) Puget Sound orca L-86 is named Surprise, and she certainly brought a surprise to the coast of San Juan Island on Wednesday when she appeared … Bigg’s orcas differ from the resident orca pods that follow the salmon chum runs, as they eat mammals. "There’s no pride in doing the bare minimum, and there’s no pride in standing in the center when there are two clear sides: life or death.”, Leah Griffin helps guide the creation of laws that intimately impact rape survivors in Washington state. Kenmore Air’s Scenic Flight and Whale Watching Boat Tour is the ultimate whale-watching trip out of Seattle. sEE wHALES IN THE wILD! Officials say regulating the boats is a starting point to protect endangered orcas in Puget Sound. Click here for Sightings and movements of humpback whales in Puget Sound, Washington from Cascadia Research Collective. An easy 30 minute drive from Seattle, Puget Sound Express Whale Watching zips its guests out to the viewing areas on a comfortably fitted hydrofoil...complete with a naturalist … If you find yourself with a car on San Juan Island, do not miss a chance to swing out to the park—an orca pod could swim right by you. While we have wonderful boat tours that give you a great perspective, sometimes the whales' … An entire delicate ecosystem exists out in the waters, and below the murky depths, you’ll find creatures large and small battling to survive, with the largest being the region’s whales and dolphins. Orca-spotting expert Alisa Lemire Brooks gives us her favorite places to whale watch. Puget Sound Express: Whale Watching - See 1,998 traveler reviews, 552 candid photos, and great deals for Port Townsend, WA, at Tripadvisor. NOW OPEN for Seattle. The multiple viewpoints along Five Mile Drive in Point Defiance Park offer views of south Vashon Island, which orcas often circumnavigate when they travel down the sound. One of the local favorites is the Puget Sound Express, which has been operating for 34 years. (Tacoma, 5400 N. Pearl St.), Point Robinson Take a quick ferry trip over to Vashon Island and see these orcas up close, as they usually come less than 50 feet away from shore at this Maury Island spot that has easy beach access. Their food sources are now less prevalent, newborns have been struggling to survive, and the general health of the whales has become a concern reaching the way up to the governor’s office. At the UW campus, the Burke Museum is a good place to learn about not just the region’s history, but a little about the area’s whales too. Chart of Sightings by Species by Month With BIG thanks to Thorsten Lisker for researching, designing, … and Port Townsend Departures Book Your 2021 Tour! (Mukilteo, 609 Front St.), Alki BeachThis West Seattle beach is a popular spot for seals and their pups, leading to the presence of Bigg’s or transient orcas. Look for body features and exhalationsWhile large blows are obvious indicators of a whale surfacing, paying attention to fins and tails that come with them can help indicate the species. When heading to the beach or an overlook to scour the seas for whales, make sure you pack a pair of binoculars and your patience with you. Point No Point Lighthouse: This lighthouse -- the oldest in Puget Sound -- has sweeping views of Admiralty Inlet to the north and Puget Sound to the south. Puget Sound Express: Whale watching - See 1,086 traveler reviews, 707 candid photos, and great deals for Edmonds, WA, at Tripadvisor. Point Defiance You don’t have to leave the mainland to whale watch. SEASON. Explore Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands No other place on the planet gives you the opportunity to experience Orca, Grey and Humpback whales in the wild , observe bald eagles … “All of a sudden one of those whales pops up right next to the bow of the ferry,” said Bart Rulon, a naturalist and photographer who works for the whale-watching company, Puget Sound … We head out towards the San Juan Islands, or to wherever the whales are … Be ready to goFollowing whales’ paths is a race against time, which is why Brooks suggests following blogs like Orca Network that track daily sightings and planning a specific viewpoint to head to. Also in town is the Seattle Aquarium, where you not only gain a wealth of knowledge about the underwater world a few steps away, but also a chance to read about and hear the orcas of the Puget Sound. We offer a website and email list of recent whale sightings to increase opportunities for seeing the whales … “Being familiar with the areas you are going to cuts down on time,” she says. (Seattle, 1702 Alki Ave. SW). ), Point No Point Facing the Admiralty Inlet to the north and Puget Sound to the south, Brooks highly recommends Point No Point. Humpback whales can also be seen in this area as some extend their stay in the sound for the winter. Golden Gardens and beach at Discovery Park are two more great locations to see whales when they’re in the Seattle area. Venturing out onto the water to get up close (well, within reason…you don’t want to get too close) and personal with the Sound… With up to five whale … See whales in the wild on Puget Sound Express's half-day whale watching tours in Seattle/Edmonds The orcas' steep population decline of 20% from 1995 to 2001 is a reflection of the problems and issues facing the greater Puget Sound marine and watershed ecosystems: declining salmon … About 90 miles (144.8 kilometers) north of Seattle, on the edge of Fidalgo Island, … While these two spots are great for Seattle residents, The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor has been delighting and educating visitor since it opened in 1979. Get to know the area’s most majestic residents. The network even offers whale watching get-togethers and a ton of great information on everything you hope to know about the region’s orca population. From Seattle, you have a few options for responsible whale-watching tours. The region's iconic orca … PORT TOWNSEND DEPARTURES March 12 – April 29, 2021 10am departures (4 hr tour) SEATTLE/EDMONDS DEPARTURES … From March to … ... — The state Fish and Wildlife Commission says new regulations for whale watching … Orca Network. Looking for more spots on the shore that are good for whale watching? Check out the Langley Whale … ©Copyright 2021 Tiger Oak Media. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. On its Facebook page, Twitter feed, and whale sighting page, you’ll be able to see the latest whale activity in the region, including where people spotted the whales—and you just might be able to get out quick enough to see a nearby whale for yourself from the nearest beach. Washington is blessed with ridiculous natural beauty that is pretty easy to access—like the San Juan Islands. At Burke, you can learn about the whales of the Pacific Northwest through their exhibits, programs, and even with educational materials for classroom use. 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. From March through October, the full day package includes a 45 minute flight on a seaplane, leaving from Lake Union and heading to Friday Harbor, where San Juan Safaris will give you three-hour, naturalist-led cruise with what the company says is a 90 percent chance of seeing whales. Our Everett tours are the greatest whale watching value in the state. Orca tours are offered between mid-February and November, while humpback whales, grey whales, and minke whales may be spotted throughout the year. Brooks recommends the east side of Whidbey Island for viewing gray whales that usually hang out around Camano Island. After the tour, hop back on the seaplane and return to Lake Union. Out of town, Point Defiance in Tacoma is one of the better locations to see whales throughout the year. Southern Resident Orcas are seen year-round, but most of the whales in the area … The museum, a must see for before or after a whale watching tour on the island, strives to promote stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research. Alisa Lemire Brooks, the whale sighting network coordinator for Orca Network (orcanetwork.org) says that many can be seen from the shore with a pair of binoculars. Orca Network encourages shore-based whale watching, or watching for whales while commuting on Washington State Ferries. By using the Orca Network to monitor where the whales are, you can then jump on the ferry to see them. 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 … The San Juans offer the very best way to see whales in the Puget Sound and Salish Sea. Whale watching in the San Juan Islands has become a $40-50 million industry in recent years. ), Mukilteo BeachIf you cannot make it on the ferry to Whidbey, this mainland beach near Lighthouse Park offers a view of the east side of the island across the narrow channel, making it a good viewing point for gray whales. Whale Watching from Land Whale watching is a favorite activity in and around Puget Sound. Boat trips can be a great way to see whales and orcas, provided the trip is carried out responsibly. The whale watch boats serve as sentinels for the resident orcas and other marine mammals, said Pete Hanke, who leads the family-run Puget Sound Express, with whale watch … Puget Sound Land-Based Whale Sighting View Points Access our google map HERE. “The less time you have to spend getting to the shore, the better chance you have of seeing a whale.”. The whales around Puget Sound are currently battling the impact of pollution and climate change on our oceans and waterways. “If you know what to look for, you can usually identify whales from the shore from fins and exhalations,” Brooks says. This destination is on the western side of San Juan Island and gives you unrivaled views in the whale-friendly waters of the Salish Sea. Few trips that show off the beauty of the Pacific Northwest on a sunny day as well this one, with views of the city, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and even Mount Baker. See orcas, humpback whales, minkes, and all the majestic wildlife in the San Juan Islands – … Orcas have tall dorsal fins while humpbacks have a smaller, chunkier looking dorsal fin.
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