Whale watching etiquette is about more than being polite on a boat. You're entering a wild marine environment where orcas, humpbacks, porpoises, seals, sea lions, seabirds, and other animals are going about their lives. A responsible tour allows guests to experience that wildlife while respecting the animals, following applicable regulations, and sharing the experience with everyone aboard. Fortunately, guests don't need to memorize complicated marine wildlife regulations bef

The first week of September brought us some of the oldest and most famous Biggs' orcas to the area, including T63 Chainsaw (seen above) born in 1968! Species Seen This Week Across 20 tours this week, we encountered: Killer whale - Total: 39 Humpback whale - Total: 1 Minke whale - Total: 2 Individual Whales Seen This Week Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 19 times and identified 39 individuals across 10 matrilines. These included: T19s T36s T46Bs T49As T63 & T65 T65As T65Bs T

Weather can make a noticeable difference to your whale watching experience, but perhaps not in the way many first-time visitors expect. Calm seas can make the ride more comfortable. Cloud cover can reduce glare for photographers. Wind can make temperatures on the water feel cooler than they do on land. But weather does not determine whether wild whales will be present. Orcas, humpbacks, minkes, and other marine wildlife move according to their own needs and behavior. When it

A family whale watching trip in Washington can become one of those experiences your kids talk about for years. Seeing an orca surface in the Salish Sea, spotting a harbor seal between islands, or watching a bald eagle overhead can turn a family vacation into something genuinely memorable. But a successful day with kids takes a little preparation. From choosing the right tour and packing enough layers to preparing for motion sickness and setting realistic wildlife expectations

When comparing whale watching operators in the Salish Sea, there is more to consider than the boat, departure point, or length of the trip. One useful thing to look for is membership in the Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA). The PWWA represents professional whale watching operators in Washington State and British Columbia. Member operators follow applicable wildlife-viewing regulations as well as additional association best practices designed to support responsible encou

Packing for a whale watching tour is less about bringing a lot of gear and more about being prepared for changing conditions on the water. Even when the weather feels comfortable on land, wind, marine air, changing cloud cover, and occasional spray can make conditions feel very different once your boat leaves the dock. The right clothing and a few practical extras can help you stay comfortable and focused on the wildlife. Use this whale watching packing list to prepare for yo

The last week of the month brought us three humpbacks, the rare booby bird, and spyhopping orcas galore! Oh, August! How we will miss you. Species Seen This Week Across 21 tours this week, we encountered: Killer whale - Total: 39 Humpback whale - Total: 3 Individual Whales Seen This Week Killer Whale: We encountered orcas times and identified 39 individuals across 11 matrilines. These included: T19s T37A1s T37A4 T46Bs T49As T60s T99s T65A5 T100s T101s T109As Humpback Whale:

Location matters when choosing where to begin a whale watching trip in Washington. Anacortes sits on Fidalgo Island at the eastern edge of the San Juan Islands, providing convenient access to the diverse waterways of the Salish Sea. From here, experienced captains can travel through multiple channels and wildlife areas depending on where whales have been reported that day. That flexibility is particularly valuable when looking for orcas. Orcas can travel more than 100 miles i

Getting great whale photos on a tour is harder than most first-timers expect. The animals are moving, the boat is moving, and light and weather can change quickly. With the right settings, equipment, and technique, however, you can come home with photographs that capture the experience rather than simply documenting that you were there. If your goal is to photograph orcas, particularly Bigg's killer whales, preparation matters even more. You may only have a few seconds to cap

What an orca-tastic week! 51 individual orcas crossed through our waters this week, and played with some unusual friends! Species Seen This Week Across 23 tours this week, we encountered: Killer whale - Total: Humpback whale - Total: Gray whale - Total: Minke whale - Total: Individual Whales Seen This Week Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 23 times and identified 51 individuals across 13 matrilines. These included: T19s T35s T36As T36A1s T37As T46s T49As T63 & T65 T65As T69

When you're planning a whale watching trip specifically to see orcas, the boat you choose matters. Not simply because a faster boat is more exciting, but because orcas are constantly moving. Bigg's killer whales can travel more than 100 miles in a day. A pod that was reported in one area earlier in the day may be somewhere completely different by the time you leave the dock. That makes the ability to cover distance an important advantage when an experienced crew is searching

Washington is one of the best places in the Pacific Northwest to experience wild whales and other marine wildlife. The Salish Sea and surrounding waters are home to Bigg's killer whales, humpback whales, minke whales, and seasonal gray whales, with additional sightings of porpoises, seals, sea lions, and seabirds. If you are planning whale watching in Washington, understanding which species are most likely to appear throughout the year can help you choose the right season and

Deception Pass is one of the most dramatic places to visit in the Pacific Northwest, with towering cliffs, forested trails, beaches, tidal currents, and the iconic bridge connecting Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands. If you're planning whale watching from Anacortes, Deception Pass makes an excellent addition to the trip. Because Outer Island Excursions' Guaranteed Orca Tour departs in the afternoon, you can explore Deception Pass earlier in the day and then head to Anacortes for an

Timing matters when booking a whale watching tour in Washington. Popular dates can fill quickly, especially when travelers are looking for a specific departure, boat, or an orca-focused experience. If seeing an orca is the main reason for your trip, choosing the right tour and booking early can make a major difference. This guide explains when to book, how far ahead to plan for different seasons, and why the Guaranteed Orca Tour from Outer Island Excursions deserves special a

Summer is ramping up and August is flying by. This week we saw spyhopping orcas, fluking humpbacks, and calves of both species! What a week! Species Seen This Week Across 22 tours this week, we encountered: Killer whale - Total: 38 Humpback whale - Total: 3 Individual Whales Seen This Week Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 19 times and identified 38 individuals across 11 matrilines. These included: T2 T19s T35s T46Bs T49As T60s T63 & T65 T69s T73As T77s T100s Humpback Whale

What an awesome week for whale watching! Orcas, humpacks, Steller sea lions, and even a minke whale! The first week of August rocked! T77C Neftali--Photo credit: Photographer Holly Cannon Species Seen This Week Across 20 tours this week, we encountered: Killer whale - Total: 33 Humpback whale - Total: 7 Minke whale - Total: 1 Individual Whales Seen This Week Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 17 times and identified 33 individuals across 10 These included: T19s T30s T36s T46

The last week of July brought whale watching to new heights with some very unusal and exciting acivity! Eleven orcas swam under Deception Pass Bridge Tuesday morning. Included among them, were the T135 pod, visiting the Salish Sea for the first time on record, leaving their tropical southern Californian waters for some colder seas. 56-year-old orca (and great granny!) T36, Flapjack, (seen above) took to the sky, showing us age really is nothing but a number. And a gray whale

One of the most common questions visitors ask before their whale watching trip is: "What happens if the weather isn't perfect?" The good news is that whale watching tours operate in a wide variety of weather conditions. Rain, clouds, and cool temperatures are all part of life in the Pacific Northwest—and they rarely prevent an unforgettable day on the water. Understanding how different weather conditions affect your tour can help you pack appropriately and know what to expect

If you're planning a whale watching vacation in Washington, one question comes up more than any other: When is the best time to go? While whale watching is available during much of the year, summer consistently offers the best combination of wildlife activity, pleasant weather, and unforgettable experiences. From June through September, visitors enjoy long daylight hours, calm seas, and excellent opportunities to encounter some of the Pacific Northwest's most iconic marine wi

Choosing a whale watching tour isn't simply about finding the lowest price or the closest departure. The quality of your experience depends on several important factors, including the operator, departure location, crew experience, and the type of tour you choose. If you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime visit to the Pacific Northwest, these ten considerations can help you choose a whale watching excursion you'll remember for years. 1. Choose the Right Departure Location Where