Long pectoral fins, acrobatic breaches humpback whales have been a rare sight in oregon and washington, but. They were updated based on discussions at the october 1718 task force meeting. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. With a donation or an adoption of a whale you can help to make the world a place where whales and dolphins are free and safe. Mar 09, 2015 previously, the makah had been allowed to hunt one baleen whale a group that includes gray and blue whales per year. Help washington state ferries track whales in puget sound. You can download the app both on apple and android phones. The best orca whale watching is from friday harbor, san juan island, just an easy day trip adventure from downtown seattle. Whale watching in washington state orca whale watching in. Save 10% by reserving your whale watch wildlife cruise and sea kayak tour at the same time. I highly doubt you will see any orcas in october in this area of the pnw if you go out one day on a boat in that month. San juan excursions whale watching washington whale. Whaletrips map a map of the best places for whale watching.
Anacortes is the perfect departure point for guaranteed whale watching and wildlife cruises. I know a friend of mine who used to be a whale watch guide on boats here tells me that august is even a iffy month for spotings as they are already starting to move out of the area often even in late august. Im tagging along with my sister for a conference in seattle. Whale watching season is from may to september, but the 30foot mammals can be spotted yearround. Average temperatures for october at cities, towns, parks and lakes throughout washington are listed below in degrees fahrenheit and celsius. Winter whale watching week washington coast beachcombers. Obviously they are wild animals so nothing is guaranteed. The san juan islands, located 140 km north of seattle in the heart of salish sea, is the most famous place for orca whale watching. Just select the combo option on our reservations page.
You might want to schedule two, because they are that exciting. Calambokidis said the 21 dead whales counted this year in washington state alone is the highest on record since a previous dieoff in 19992000. Situated in the rain shadow of the olympic mountains, the san juan and canadian gulf islands provide calm waters seasickness is very rare. Humpback whale watching in washington state island. The best times to experience whale watching along the washington coast are during the months of march, april and may while the whales migrate to the warm waters of mexico. There are never guarantees, of course, but there are many whale watching. In march 2018, inslee issued an executive order directing state agencies to take. The goal of this site is to help give a little more insight to the whale watching industry and to help the consumer make the best decision for what is going to work.
There are a large number of tour operators ready to take you out by boat to see them. These killer whales are the most researched marine mammals in the world, and whale watch naturalists know the whales individual nicknames and family histories back to the early 1970s. From the start to the end of the month, the length of the day decreases by 1 hour, 43 minutes, implying an average daily decrease of 3 minutes, 25 seconds, and weekly decrease of 23 minutes, 58 seconds. Washington state ferry crews are now adding reports to a new app, and using it to help save. Whale watching is a rewarding activity out of anacortes washington. Everett is the best departure in the spring its only 30 miles from seattle and the whales are often right off of the dock. Any party cancelling within this period or simply not showing up for the cruise will forfeit the entire cruise fare. Location is just off hwy 101, four miles southwest of ilwaco at the foot of the long beach peninsula. But for those who prefer a closer look, friday harbor offers a total of 15 tours, including. Along the californian coast, there are quite good chances of seeing blue whales best from june to september. Our everett gray whale trips have been running for over a decade.
Killer whales, also known as orcas, come close in to the san juan islands beginning in the spring and linger until october. The most common whale species in the area is the orca, but youre likely to see other species as well. Washington ferries use new app to help struggling orca population. New whale alert system for washington state ferries. Breaching dams to save northwest orcas is contentious issue. Boats to stay 400 yards out of southern resident orcas pathin front and behind the whales. Season ends at the north american east coast with still good chances to see humpbacks and blues. Orca back to feeding, frolicking after carrying dead calf. Washington state to let whale rot on beach no dynamite needed. San juan island is where the southern resident killer whales live about six months out of the year, from midapril to october. Over the course of october at orcas island airport, the length of the day is rapidly decreasing.
Best places for whale watching when to go whale watching. Washington state parks rangers will be leaving a dead gray whale to decay on the beach near twin harbors state park after it washed ashore tuesday. The asteroid that killed the dinosaurs hhmi biointeractive video duration. Get up close with the orca whales off the san juan islands near seattle on this 4hour whale watching cruise. We may be on our way to exceeding those numbers from that previous event because we are still early in the year, he said. The center for whale research in washington state says it watched the orca, known as j35, chase a school of salmon in haro strait west of san juan island on saturday. I went in october off peak in boston and saw loads then so hoping its the same. The whale watching tour was an adventure of its own and we ended up seeing three humpback whales for about 45 mins. My wife sherri and i have been operating whale watching tours with puget sound express for more than 30 years, and in that time we have always endeavored to make your trip a lasting memory. Going whalewatching in september the seattle times. Thats one reason washington state ferries are adopting a new. The san juan islands are considered the jewel of the pacific northwest, located in the puget sound.
Orca whales usually pass through the islands in greatest numbers between midmay and mid october when the salmon runs are. October is the perfect time to visit south africa main season for southern right whales. Washington state waters are closed to killer whale captures, in the aftermath of the. The southern resident killer whale srkw is a flagship species, a cultural icon, and an economic driver for washington state. Learn more about our sea kayaking tours prices and times subject to change. The whaleplanner october a whale watching infographic. Port townsend seattleedmonds whidbey island tour details seattle whale watching tours. Cetacean sightings network launched an alert system. Help washington state ferries track whales in puget sound with. These verdant islands and the sparkling waters surrounding them make a spectacular setting to view orcas. Southern resident orca task force governor jay inslee.
San juan island is the center of whale watching in the pacific northwest and therefore friday harbor on san juan island is the best location for departing on a whale watch tour in washington state. Price, convenience, and quality we feel that we offer the best of all three. Ap researchers say an endangered killer whale that drew international attention as she carried her dead calf on her head for more than two weeks is finally back to feeding and frolicking with her pod. Experience wa washington state vacation go whale watching.
Between october and midmay each year, migratory humpback whales visiting warm tropical waters for calving and breeding are the stars of the local whale watch tours. Whale watching in washington state washingtoncoast. This park overlooks the waters of the haro strait on the west side of san juan island, just west. Whale watching guidelines san juan safaris san juan. Spring, summer, and fall are special months in the san juans with all the wildlife. Are there any other companies which run out til late october, that i may have missed. Southern resident orca whale recovery governor jay inslee. Saw support staff cannot assist with unemployment requests. How a generation of killer whales was taken from puget sound originally published december, 2018 at 6. Its also considered the best place to view orca whales.
Wsdot gis data download washington state department of. To apply for unemployment or get help with your benefit account, go to esd. Humpback whales are one of the most beloved and recognized whales in the world. To be honest, i left that boat feeling a little bit disappointed. Russell fee has been a washington state ferries captain for the past 27 years. Famous for their specialized vocalizations, or songs, humpbacks frequently demonstrate impressive spyhops, tail slaps and breaches as they interact with each other. Seattle whale watching guide 2019 clipper vacations. Whale watching in washington state with so many different departure locations, companies, and boat styles to pick from when choosing a whale watching trip, it can get confusing. Killer orca whale watching seattle to san juan islands. San juan safaris is pleased to offer military personnel, active or retired, and. I loved seeing those enormous animals up close, but i wanted more. The public can download the whalereport app and report sightings to commercial mariners within 10 nautical miles of. We are endangered due to over fishing, diversion and over use of water resources, dams which alter the speed of water flows and block access to natal streams.
Whale watching adventures in anacortes, washiington. Guaranteed whale watching tours puget sound express. Whale watcher on san juan island by christopher livesay. No trip to the pacific northwest is complete without at least one whale watching excursion. Found in all the worlds oceans, few whales can boast as successful a comeback story as the humpback whale, whose signature songs and images have become a symbol of marine conservation. The fall migration takes place from october to february as the gray whales begin to head back south to warmer waters with pregnant females taking the lead.
The lewis and clark interpretive center is a great place for whale watching on the washington coast, offering fantastic views from 2oo feet above the pacific ocean on the cliffs of cape disappointment state park. On san juan island there are 17 whalewatching and kayaktouring businesses. About us the whale museum friday harbor, washington. The gray whale makes the longest journey traveling 1014 thousand miles round trip from feeding grounds to breeding lagoons. This week, washington state ferries will be the first to use the whalereport. Reservations on this cruise may be canceled and fully refunded up to 24 hours prior to cruise departure. The gray whale may soon be removed from the unity state endangered species list because the 1991 population was equal to or larger than prehunting population numbers. One year of whale watching in just one infographic. But both washingtons southern resident orcas and chinook salmon are facing. A few of these whales wash ashore and cause public outcry against whale captures in washington s waters. Starving whales in washington state need more salmon to survive. Average weather in october at orcas island airport washington.
Help washington state ferries track whales in puget sound with new app. Killer whales have also been recorded feeding on great white sharks, including one incident filmed near the farallon islands in october 1997, where a 4. Anyone can do that by downloading the whale report app on a smart phone. The whaleplanner july a whale watching infographic. The gray whale season will have ended, but there should be opportunities to see orcas, minkes and perhaps humpbacks. These killer whales are the most researched marine mammals in the world, and whale watch naturalists know the whales individual nicknames and. Browse the web version and easily learn where to go. Boats to stay 300 yards from southern resident orcas or killer whales on either side. Yearround guaranteed whale watching in washington island. Washingtons 20192020 fishing regulations now available. Our 34 hour adventure whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. The whales struggle from pollution and boat noise too. Let me say that i am not downplaying the whale watching boat tour experience.
Insofar as whale related activities here on sj, you could also go out to lime kiln point state park also known as whale watch park and nearby the parking lot youll see the attractive lighthouse. True longhaul travelers, gray whales have one of the farthest migrations of any. You can jump to a separate table for each region of the state. While ill have lots of time on my own, im trying to figure out what she wants to do on her limited free time, and she is interested in whale watching. When i get a little older ill be able to wander out into the beautiful open ocean. The best time to go whale watching in washington state is during the beginning of january as well as from march to may. A vessel should approach an area of known or suspected whale activity with extreme caution. Whale hunting could be resumed by washington state indians. Whale watching in washington state orca whale watching.
Oct 07, 20 the other whale was bcy0324 after writing this blog post, whale names like j2 seem so much more manageable. Other captive orcas historical chronology a whale of a. Although orcas are seen in the area yearround, three main pods, called the southern residents, are more frequently glimpsed during the spring through fall months. Whale watcher on san juan island washington state travel. Privacy notice intended use file types and downloads register to vote. Whale watching washington s waterways and shorelines are teeming with wildlife and make for a perfect outdoor classroom. This week, washington state ferries will be the first to use the whalereport alert system throughout puget sound, which will alert captains to credible whale sightings in the area.
Average temperatures for washington in october current results. Members of the public are encouraged to download the whalereport app and. The whales sighted consisted of almost 10 orca families, one of which is rarely seen and was only photographed for the first time in the late 1990s. Some argue the best way to get more salmon to the starving whales is to tear down four dams on the lower snake river, a tributary of the columbia river, to help migrating fish. Boat strikes in the pacific northwest can be deadly for whales including struggling, endangered orca populations in the area. Orcas, humpbacks, minkes, gray whales one of the best places in the world to view orcas a. Washington coast whale watching beachcombers nw blog. I spend most of my time in the freshwater streams and estuaries along the coast of washington. We are planning a trip to seattle and vancouver in september and would, of course, love to go whale watching. Because of its prime location on the puget sound, whale watchers dont need to rely solely on boat tours for sightings.
The acquisition of the lighthouse led to efforts by the whale museum and the state of washington to create the first park in the united states dedicated to whale watching. Where is the best place to go whale watching in washington. Today, lime kiln state park hosts more than 200,000 visitors each year. Washington state whale sightings commercial whale watching in the san juan islands is roughly 25 years old. The museum has fullsize skeletons of a whale and a variety of other exhibits and interactive displays. Rare white killer whale spotted in washington during mass. Jun 28, 2019 the new pamphlet is effective july 1, 2019 through june 30, 2020, and features rules and regulations for hundreds of lakes, rivers, and marine areas around the state, as well as species including trout, salmon, shellfish, sturgeon, and many more. Seaspan, the shipping federation of canada, washington state ferries, zim. Another endangered puget sound orca suffering from peanut. Killer whales near puget sound, washington youtube.
Bc whales have been identified in british columbia, and are given an x, y, or z depending on the amount of white on their flukes. Over the last decade the boats have become larger and faster, and the captains have become better at prediction the location of the whales on any given day. In a 1984 press conference with the washington secretary of state, the whale museum announced the. The season they are usually seen is late may to early september. Whale watching tours depart daily from orcas and san juan island allowing an opportunity for viewing the whales in the wild. Seattle gray whale watching trip with a stopover in picturesque langley, wa like clockwork, the arrival of the gray whales in the waters off washington signals the arrival of spring in the pacific northwest. The wsdot geodata distribution catalog, maintained by the office of information technology, is a centralized distribution site for geographic information system data produced at the washington state department of transportation. Washington state ferry fares to the san juan islands paid at the anacortes terminal include round trip travel. Dead gray whale found on olympic coast is 24th on pacific. Seeing orcas in october san juan island forum tripadvisor. Whale watching in october seattle forum tripadvisor. Best whale watching locations in washington state island. Whale watching reproduced under a creative commons license with the kind permission of dashhouse on flickr. Watch the whales for free at lime kiln state park parks.