Washington State offers some of the best whale watching opportunities in North America. From the rich waters of the Salish Sea to the scenic San Juan Islands region, visitors have the chance to encounter orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, porpoises, seals, sea lions, and a wide variety of marine wildlife. If you're planning a whale watching trip in 2026, choosing the right departure location and tour type can make a significant difference in your experience. This guide cov

The 123s and 124A4s traveling together Sunday, May 31st. Photo credit: Naturalist Megan MacGregor Whales in Anacortes WA: Who We Saw The last week of May brought us all the orcas, humpbacks, and grays Species Seen This Week Killer Whale - Total: 56 Humpback Whale - Total: 11 Gray Whale - Total: 4 Individual Whales Seen This Week T123A Stanley. Photo credit: Naturalist Megan MacGregor Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 8 times and identified 14 individuals across 4 matrilines

If you're planning a whale watching trip in Washington, one of the most common questions is simple: can you drive there, or do you need to take a ferry? The good news is that some of Washington's best whale watching experiences are completely accessible by car. In fact, many visitors are surprised to learn that they can drive directly to Anacortes, board a whale watching boat, and be on the water searching for whales without ever setting foot on a ferry. If you're looking for

If you've been researching whale watching near Seattle, you've probably seen the same advice over and over: take a ferry to the San Juan Islands. While the San Juans are one of the best places in the world to see whales, the good news is that you do not need a ferry to get there. In fact, some of the most efficient whale watching trips in the Salish Sea depart directly from the mainland. That means less time dealing with ferry schedules and more time focused on what you came

If you're planning a whale watching trip in Washington, one of the biggest decisions is whether to depart from Seattle or choose a tour that operates in the San Juan Islands region near Orcas Island. At first glance, Seattle seems like the obvious choice. It's convenient, easy to reach, and offers several whale watching departures directly from the city. But convenience is only one part of the equation. If your goal is maximizing time with whales—especially orcas—the location

The most exciting part of your whale watching trip has arrived–you’re ready to book your tour! But hold on. Two types of tours? Whale & Orca vs. Orca-Only. What does that mean? And how do you know which is best for you? Oh, the decisions. Fear not, we’re here to help you figure it out! Whale & Orca Tours For a classic wildlife experience, you can’t beat our standard Whale & Orca tour. Lasting three to four hours, these tours will take you out into the Salish Sea in search of

T123, Sidney, chasing a seal. Photo credit: Naturalist Megan MacGregor Whales in Anacortes WA: Who We Saw Summer has officially arrived! Memorial Day weekend brought all the orcas, multiple humpbacks, and new gray whales to the Salish Sea. Species Seen This Week Killer Whale - Total: 137 Humpback Whale - Total: 5 Gray Whale - Total: 10 Individual Whales Seen This Week A spyhopping Biggs orca. Photo credit: Naturalist Megan MacGregor Killer Whale: We encountered orcas 20 time

Anacortes is widely considered one of the best whale watching departure points in Washington State. Located at the gateway to the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea, it provides fast access to productive whale habitat, stunning scenery, and some of the most respected whale watching operators in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you're planning a dedicated whale watching vacation or a day trip from Seattle, this guide covers everything you need to know about whale watching in An

One of the most common questions visitors ask when planning a whale watching trip in Washington is whether they need to take a ferry. The short answer is: No, you do not need a ferry to go whale watching in Washington. While ferries travel through beautiful waters and occasionally passengers spot whales along the way, ferries are designed for transportation—not wildlife viewing. If your primary goal is seeing whales, there are much better options available. Here's what you ne

If you're visiting Seattle and hoping to see whales during your trip, you'll be happy to know that some of the Pacific Northwest's best whale watching opportunities are just a short drive away. The most popular whale watching departure point for Seattle visitors is Anacortes, located about 80 miles north of the city. In roughly 90 minutes, you can drive from downtown Seattle to the gateway of the San Juan Islands and board a whale watching tour in one of the most productive m

If you're planning a whale watching trip in the San Juan Islands region, one of the first decisions you'll make is where to depart from. Two of the most popular options are Anacortes and Orcas Island. Both provide access to the rich waters of the Salish Sea and excellent opportunities to encounter whales and marine wildlife. However, the overall experience can be quite different depending on where your tour begins. Here's what to know before booking. Where Are the Departure P

A new calf swimming alongside T124A1, Bonapartes. Photo Credit: Naturalist Sam Wallace Whales in Anacortes WA: Who We Saw New calf alert! T124A1, Bonapartes, appeared Sunday with a very young calf sidled up beside her. Time will tell if this new baby is indeed Bonapartes calf, as multiple sightings are required to confirm maternity, but either way--look at all that cuteness. But, wait--there's more! Big Mama fluking her tail in front of Patos lighthouse. Photo credit: Natura

Nestled on Fidalgo Island in the Pacific Northwest, you’ll find the coastal city of Anacortes, Washington–the ideal home base for everything adventure.

Few wildlife experiences compare to seeing orcas in the wild. The waters of Washington State offer some of the best opportunities in North America to encounter these remarkable animals in their natural environment. From the scenic Salish Sea to the San Juan Islands region, visitors travel from around the world for the chance to witness orcas, humpbacks, and other marine wildlife. If you're planning an orca whale watching trip in Washington, here's everything you need to know

Whale watching from Seattle is one of the most popular wildlife experiences in the Pacific Northwest. Just a short drive north of the city, visitors can access the Salish Sea and the San Juan Islands region—one of North America's premier whale watching destinations. From orcas and humpback whales to porpoises, seals, sea lions, and bald eagles, the wildlife diversity is remarkable. If you're planning whale watching from Seattle in 2026, here's everything you need to know. Is

A Stellar sea lion attempting to flee from pursuing orcas on Mother's Day. Photo Credit: Naturalist Megan MacGregor Whales in Anacortes WA: Who We Saw The second week of March delivered a full house--humpbacks, orcas, grays, and minkes all made an appearance! We wrapped the week on Mother's Day, where T46B1 Tread showed her six month old calf, T46B1D Tasha, how momma kills the sea lions. Species Seen This Week Killer Whale - To

Spring in Washington State welcomes warmer weather, fresh growth, and a special group of gray whales.

Talk about a week! Spring is in full swing and the whales of the Pacific Northwest have heard that the Salish Sea is the place to be.

Orcas, humpbacks, sea lions and more! The Salish Sea, a vast inland waterway tucked between Vancouver Island and the northwest side of Washington State is a nature lover’s dream.

Across nine tours in the third week of April, guests encountered fan favorites, popular regulars, and rare whales in the San Juan Islands.