If you are looking for a great adventure, you should try a San Juan Islands adventure vacation including a whale watch tour from San Juan Island. The San Juan Islands are a beautiful group of islands just north of Seattle, Washington, in the northern Puget Sound. With over 170 islands and islets, about 80 islets are set aside as part of the San Juan Islands wildlife refuge. If you haven’t discovered the San Juan Islands yet, you are in for a real treat.
With so many things to do in this nature lover’s paradise, you could easily enjoy a week’s vacation there. The San Juan Islands offer a unique opportunity to see the Southern Resident pods of orca whales, harbor seals, a large bald eagle population and much more. The best chance of seeing these animals is on a whale watching tour from San Juan Island.
San Juan Islands Adventure Vacations Whale Watching Tour
The San Juan Islands are known as one of the best places in the world to see orca whales, also known as killer whales. They are frequently seen in the beautiful calm waters of the San Juan Islands from May through September because Haro Strait; a deep sea channel right off of San Juan Island and Lopez, which is a salmon migratory path; so it is not uncommon to see orca whales feeding, spy hopping, breaching, and tail lobbing in their natural habitat. People do see whales from the shoreline at times, but the best odds are to book a whale watching tour on a boat from San Juan Island because the orcas swim about one hundred miles per day and are constantly moving; sometimes too far for the naked eye from shore.
Your boat captain will guide the boat out into the cold, deep waters of the Salish Sea to where the orca pods are at; giving you time for photos and listen to your guide share informatoin about the whales! You will be able to see other marine life as well such as sea lions and seals, take pictures, and create memories that will last you a lifetime.
Getting To The San Juan Islands
To get to the San Juan Islands, you can fly into the SeaTac airport, between Seattle and Tacoma, Washington or Vancouver, British Columbia, which is about an hour and a half in either direction to Anacortes -a port town to the San Juan Islands. You can then take the Washington State Ferry (the route on the ferry is part of Washington’s Scenic Byway) from Anacortes, Washington to Friday Harbor, Washington. Anacortes is about 20 miles west of Interstate-5 in northwest Washington. You can drive your car onto the ferry or park it and then walk onto the ferry boat. The ferry will off load you to Friday Harbor, a small village on San Juan Island, and then you can check out downtown Friday Harbor which is filled with art studios, wine tasting rooms, local boutiques and excellent eateries.
Whale Watching Tours In The San Juan Islands
There are several companies that provide whale watching trips from boats or from kayaks from San Juan Island. When you arrive to Friday Harbor you can inquire about booking your whale watching tour but since it is such a popular activity in the summer months, it is best to reserve in advance to ensure the boat is not sold out when you arrive.
Other Activities Of Your San Juan Islands Adventure Vacation
Some of the other activities you could enjoy include hiking, kayaking, and biking when you take your great adventure vacation to the San Juan Islands. There are many activities to choose from, both on the water and on land, so you can find something that fits what you’re in the mood for. If you stay a week you will be able to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of being in this peaceful archipelago of islands and have time to see Orcas Island and Lopez also. Both are rewarding for their unique geography and activities available. You can also rent bicycles on Lopez and Orcas Island, but if you’re up for a challenge, you may want to choose Orcas Island and ride over its hills and majestic scenic outlooks. You can also take an easy bike riding trip on nearby Lopez Island, which is even quieter and less populated than the other two islands.
Whatever you’re in the mood for, you will enjoy your time in the San Juan Islands. Many people go back year after year to continue exploring and experiencing the natural beauty. Maybe this is your year to discover the thrills and excitement of a San Juan Islands adventure vacation with a whale watching tour from San Juan Island.