Washington state status report for the killer whale. This week, washington state ferries will be the first to use the. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. Tsk, tsk, voyaginglook north of 70 degrees in the northwest territories of canada and you will find victoria island couldnt resist as i understand it, whale watching boats out of seattle still have to travel north 60 miles or so to see any orcas, so departing from seattle doesnt really help. Puget sound whale watchers accused of loving endangered. The coho makes between two and four round trips from port angeles to victoria daily, covering the 37 kilometers or 20 nautical miles in approximately 90 minutes. Everett is the best departure in the spring its only 30 miles from seattle and the whales are often right off of the dock. Spend a day with orcas, humpback, minke whales and more as you cruise through the waters of the salish sea aboard five stars sleek, 40passenger vessel on a victoria whale watching adventure. Springer born late 1999 or early 2000, officially named a73, is a wild orca from the northern. Flights leave seattle in the morning and return in the early evening, and vary slightly depending on the time of the year. The island explorer 4 is the little sister to the island explorer 5 the island explorer 4 is 85 long, 22 wide with many of the same great features. He is nicknamed tluk, a coast salish word meaning moon. The public can download the whalereport app and report sightings. Seaspan, the shipping federation of canada, washington state ferries, zim.
Our everett gray whale trips have been running for over a decade. Whale watching seattle or victoria eagle wing tours. Island explorer 4 is the favorite boat for many of our guests. Vacation whale watching activities in washington state. Tap your orca card to activate epurse added online or by phone. Washington ferries use new app to help struggling orca population. New zealand photographer sam kynmancole captured drone footage of a playful orca whale interacting with a kayaker in army bay, new zealand. You can purchase or refill orca cards via the mail, at many grocery stores and ticket vending machines in the area, by phone at 8889886722, or online. San juan island is considered the best place to view orca whales because of the large salmon population, which is their primary food source. But something that defines seattle more than anything is its location. Victoria, bc is the best place on earth to view whales in the wild. Three distinct groups of killer whales orcinus orca occupy the coastal waters of the northeastern pacific. The gray transient whale is a member of the t46bs, a family of transient orcas that includes t46 b1b, the gray whale.
Help washington state ferries track whales in puget sound with. Southern resident killer whales in washington face four main potential. Kayak whale watching in the san juan islands, seattle, washington. We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good. Orca families often pass close to cracroft point as they head further out into the johnson strait. This alarming decline signals that the southern resident orca population is in severe jeopardy and at risk of extinction if no action is taken. Orca whale watching seattle, wa by san juan safarisseattle.
A pod of killer whales put on a show in central puget sound on thursday. South of moran state park, the little hamlet of olga is famous for its artists coop, orcas island artworks, with an extensive collection of pottery, painting, jewelry, and more from over 50 island artists. Anyone can do that by downloading the whale report. Gray whale watching near seattle, washington island. Does anyone know if this is a good time to whale watch. With over 70 whales belonging to these families, transient orcas, and humpback whales youll have plenty of opportunities for an encounter with these magnificent creatures. Pdf washington state status report for the killer whale.
Kenmore airs scenic flight and whale watching boat tour is the ultimate whalewatching trip out of seattle. Meet the whales bellingham wa san juan cruises whale. Youll find it housed in a historic 1936 strawberry packing plant along with the catkin cafe, a charming eatery renowned for its use of locally grown. I am interested in doing a one day whale watch trip while visiting seattle in june 2010. Our 34 hour adventure whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. The adventure tour is 3 hours long and gives you the best chances to see all that the san juans have to offer. Southern resident killer whales are a beloved icon of the pacific northwest, holding significant cultural value to native tribes. San juan safaris is pleased to offer military personnel, active or retired, and. In 2016, an 18yearold orca male known as doubestuf, or j34, died from blunt. 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. These species are part of the cultural identity, fishing economy and tourism industry of our region. Help washington state ferries track whales in puget sound with new app. That question has become more urgent in washington state, where southern resident killer whales that feed around the san juan islands in.
Seattle whale watching tours the seattle metros only halfday whale watching tour. The two naturalists on board were great knowledgeable, informative, and responsive they even customized a talk. Daylong whale watching tours from seattle, around whidbey island, to the iconic san juan islands. The seattle marine aquarium originally known as the seattle public aquarium was a privately owned aquarium that was opened in 1962 and closed in 1977, and was located on pier 56 on the elliott bay waterfront in seattle, washington, usa. The southern resident community of killer whales is listed federally as an endangered species. You can download the app both on apple and android phones. In 2016, an 18 yearold orca male known as doubestuf, or j34, died from blunt. Seattle, wa the orca network has requested the public to keep an eye out for a humpback whale that was first seen entangled in the haro strait area near henry island friday.
See orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, gray whales and all the majestic wildlife in the salish sea on our tour departing from edmonds. Id prefer to see orcas and i heard they might be around that area in april. Southern resident orca whale recovery governor jay inslee. This west seattle beach is a popular spot for seals and their pups, leading to the presence of biggs or transient orcas. Western prince whale watching is located in scenic friday harbor on san juan island, just 90 miles north of seattle, washington. Orca lift cards can be renewed online and are available in person at select locations across the region. Gray whales measure up to 50 feet in length and weigh up to 40 tons, and are often seen early and late during our whale watching season as they migrate past washington state. At orca, we help you compare and shop among many top carriers to get the best coverage and pricing. Our guides and naturalists work to create educational, fun, and engaging tours that. Orca and kayaker encounter caught on drone video youtube. In the summer of 2002, nmfs rejected this proposal, instead listing them as depleted under the marine mammal protection act.
Best whale watching locations in washington state island. Washington state ferry crews are now adding reports to a new app, and using it to. Sandwiched between mountains to the east and the puget sound to the west, seattles location is what opens up much of the amazing things to do in the area. All inperson orca customer service offices are closed until further notice. The killer whales circled for quite some time and eventually, the groups witnessed a flurry of activity from. Tracks different fares and transfers automatically. The odysseys multi level wrap around viewing decks provide space, open air, comfort, and lots of warm sunshine. Click here to download all 12 months of killer whale watching data and be.
Orca network is a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the whales of the pacific northwest, and the importance of providing them healthy and safe habitats. Whale watching in seattle orca whale watching and gray. At seattle orca whale watching in partnership with san juan safaris we take great pride in providing you with the best orca whale watching and wildlife tours in the pacific northwest. Whale watching in washington state experience one of the oceans most formidable species from luxury, bigvessel cruises, to exciting kayak adventures, the pristine waters of washingtons puget sound and san juan islands are amongst of the best places on earth to witness the raw power and majesty of orcas. It seems there was an issue trying to load the page. Jobinternshipvolunteer opportunities the whale museum. Whale watching san juan islands western prince whale. Among these, southern resident and transient killer whales commonly are found in puget sound. Rare white orca spotted in puget sound waters just dont. Whale watching in washington washington whale watching tours. Killer whale orca conservation and management washington. Killer whales in puget sound encyclopedia of puget sound.
From march through october, the full day package includes a 45 minute flight on a. Transient orcas seen feeding on gray whale south of whidbey island. All state mammals this symbol is intended to promote orca awareness and to encourage protection of the natural marine habitat. Get up close with the orca whales off the san juan islands near seattle on this 4hour whalewatching cruise. Rare white killer whale spotted at puget sound near seattle the. During peak viewing months, our success rate for sighting orcas is almost 100%. Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is. Although the local tv folks go gaga when orcas are sighted in elliot bay, they the orcas. Southern resident orca recovery learn more, get involved. National marine fisheries service nmfs to get the southern resident community listed in the united states. These groupsnorthern and southern residents, transients, and offshoresare distinguished by diet, behavior, morphology, and other characteristics.
Dalls porpoise with black and white coloring similar to orca whales, these porpoises measure up to 8 feet in length, weigh up to 500 pounds, and primarily eat small fish. An awesome boat ride with friendly and educated hosts. Whale watching tours are definitely popular so check one out or go out on a friends boat when the orcas come around you just gotta keep lookout for. Our customer service office is closed to the public. Sea quest kayak tours explore the premiere orca whale waters in the san juan.
Also included is a bottle of hoodsport orca series wine, a special release from the washington winery that donates a portion of sales back to orca network. San juan island is where the southern resident killer whales live about six months out of the year, from midapril to october. Contact seattle orca whale watching we are located at 950 westlake ave n, seattle, wa 98109 phone. Available march through october, this fullday whale watching tour package includes a scenic 45minute seaplane flight from seattles lake union to friday harbor marina on san juan island. See orcas, humpback whales, and all the majestic wildlife throughout the salish sea on our tour out of edmonds just a few minutes north of seattle. The orcas were spotted breaching, spyhopping, slapping their tails and just generally milling about all over, all day long.
With an over 90% sighting rate, you are almost guaranteed to see an orca on your whale watching tour off the west coast off san juan island. Seattle new technology could help ships and ferries navigate around whales in washington, reducing the chances of a deadly ship strike. Biggs orcas differ from the resident orca pods that follow the salmon chum runs, as they eat mammals. Sail through breathtaking deception pass, and travel through the protected waters of the salish sea, while trained naturalists educate passengers about the remarkable ecosystem and its wildlife with a focus on whale and sealife conservation. The orca card one regional card for all is a contactless, storedvalue smart card system for public transit in the puget sound region of washington, united states. Killer orca whale watching seattle to san juan islands. The card is valid on most transit systems in the seattle metropolitan area, including sound transit, local bus agencies, washington state ferries, the king county water taxi, and kitsap fast ferries. Our facility is located on san juan island, northwest of seattle, washington. Fare collection is temporarily suspended on all orca transit agencies, except washington state ferries, until further notice. Killer whale orca as you walk the bluffs of american camp between april and september, listen for the soft spouting of an orca.
Anyone can do that by downloading the whale report app on a smart phone. Experience often clients were surprised to hear the savings we can find for them. Take your best shot at kayaking with killer whales near seattle, wa. Is the victoria clipper the only trip that leaves from seattle. For the best whalewatching in seattle, enjoy the beauty of san juan island on a whalewatching cruise from friday harbor, a quaint town on the island. We use cookies and other technologies to understand how you and other visitors use our site, and improve your browsing experience. The southern resident orcas have declined to a 30year low of just 75 animals, following the death of eight individuals in 2017 and 2018. The orcas of washington state and british columbia coasts have been extensively studied since the. And now, for the first time, there is an orca id app available for the rest of the world.
Information on whale presence is obtained from realtime observations reported to. Contact us about a killer whale watching tour orca spirit. Yes, victoria is just a short 45 minute float plane ride from downtown seattle with kenmore air offering multiple daily departures throughout the year. Sw looking for more spots on the shore that are good for whale watching. In may 2001, an endangered species petition was submitted to the u. Guaranteed whale watching tours puget sound express. Thank you to all the people who made it a great experience. Enjoy the experience of a lifetime with seattles only halfday, guaranteed whale watching tour. Our experienced, passionate team of captains and naturalists love to share our vast knowledge of whales, wildlife, and their beautiful pacific northwest home with travelers from near and far. Members of the public are encouraged to download the whalereport app and. San juan excursions whale watching seattle seattle. My dates are flexible but i would prefer to go in april. L41 mega, l85 mystery, and newborn calf l124, on january 11. With almost 85 whales in the area, youll have plenty of opportunities for a close encounter with these magnificent creatures.
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