What time of year is best for whale watching in Seattle?
7 min read
Asked by: David Wang
Summerbetween May and October. Q: Is Seattle good for whale watching? Yes. Every year whale watching is one of the most popular things to do for both locals and tourists.
What time of year can you see orcas in Seattle?
summer
You can see orcas in Seattle, Washington and the surrounding areas year round. But summer between May and September are the best times to kayak with orcas. That’s because their food source, salmon, is most active around this time.
What is the best time of year for whale watching in Washington state?
Whales are a migratory species that follow the pacific coast during the spring and fall. While sightings have occurred anywhere from October through July, your best bet is to plan a trip in spring, specifically the month May.
What is the best month to go whale watching?
When is the best time to view the whales? The best time of year to view Orca whales is in May through September. If you’re looking for humpback whales then we suggest September through January.
Can you see humpback whales in Seattle?
There are few places in the world like the Pacific Northwest where one can find gray, minke, humpback as well as two types of orca whales all within reach on a Seattle whale watching trip.
What time of year are orcas in Puget Sound?
Types of whales in the Puget Sound
Minke, humpback, and orcas are commonly seen between May and October, while gray whales are common in March and April as they head north for the summer.
Where is the best place to see orcas in Washington?
The San Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands off the coast of northwestern Washington are known for being one of the best places to see orcas in the wild. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Seattle to Anacortes, then a short ferry ride across the sound to Friday Harbor, where many whale-watching outfitters leave on daily excursions.
Can you see whales in Seattle in February?
From Seattle
You’re more likely to spot orcas here during the fall and winter months, but transient whales can be seen here year round. (Pro tip: Bring along a pair of binoculars.)
When can you see orcas at orcas Island?
Orca whales range through the San Juan Islands the most between March and October and you can expect to see them on the vast majority of our tours during that time, although we do have sightings throughout the year. We also regularly encounter beautiful Humpback Whales (through November) and Minke whales in the area.
Where are the whales in Puget Sound?
The most reliable sightings are gray whales from the end of February through the end of May or into early June, and the best place to see them from is Langley, or from most beaches off South Whidbey Island. They’re also sometimes found further north in Saratoga Passage.
Is Seattle whale watching worth it?
Q: Is Seattle good for whale watching? Yes. Every year whale watching is one of the most popular things to do for both locals and tourists. Migrating whales can be seen year-round, along with resident Orcas.
How much does whale watching cost in Seattle?
Western Prince Whale & Wildlife Tours – Western Explorer II
The standard trip lasts 2 ½ to three hours; it’s available April through October at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets cost around $140 for adults and $120 for children 7 to 12.
What do you wear whale watching in Seattle?
Pack warm clothes
Even when it’s 30°C/86 F on land, bring a warm sweater, a jacket, a scarf and even gloves with you. We had the most perfect day with warm weather and blue sky but once we reached the open water it became unpleasantly cold.
What time of the day are whales most active?
Whales are never diurnal, but they can be crepuscular. This means they are most active during twilight hours which are both before sunrise and after sunset.
Do you get seasick whale watching?
Both of our boats offer a smooth ride overall, but whale watching tours sometimes go far out into the Bay and yes, a small percentage of passengers are known to become seasick in a variety of ocean conditions. If you are sensitive to motion sickness, proper precautions to avoid it are highly recommended.
How do you get the most out of whale watching?
7 Tips for the Best Whale Watching Experience
- Pick the Right Season. We see several species of whales throughout the year. …
- Bring the Right Gear. The best place for whale watching is always on the outer decks. …
- Talk to the Crew. …
- Have Your Camera Ready! …
- But Also, Take Some Time Away From the Lens. …
- Be Patient. …
- Share Your Photos!
How fun is whale watching?
Whale-watching can be a thrilling experience, an adventure on the water resulting in incredible memories and surprisingly good photos of seabirds, dolphins, and of course the whales. It’s an exciting day out: a new perspective, as you watch the coastline recede, and scan the vast horizon for a spout.
How do you start watching whales?
Starting a Whale Watching Business
- Creating a Business Plan for a Whale Watching Business.
- Assess the Competition.
- Talk to People Who Are Already in the Business.
- Advantages of a Whale Watching Business Purchase.
- Consider Franchising.
- Related Articles on Starting a Company.
- Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs.
What are two ways to whale watch?
Whale watchers on board a large whale watch vessel in the Gulf of Maine watching a humpback whale. Photo courtesy of Whale and Dolphin Conservation USA. Non-motorized boats: In some locations it is possible to kayak, canoe, or paddle-board among whales or dolphins.
Where is the best place to whale watch?
Top Whale-Watching Destinations
- Santa Barbara, California. …
- Monterey Bay, California. …
- Kodiak Island, Alaska. …
- San Juan Islands, Washington. …
- Vancouver Island, British Columbia. …
- Virginia Beach. …
- Long Island, New York. …
- Cape May, New Jersey.
Where is the best place to see blue whales?
The Best Places for Blue Whale Watching
- Saguenay – St. Lawrence Marine Park, Québec. …
- Reykjavík and Húsavík, Iceland. …
- Pico Island, Azores. …
- Monterey Bay, California. …
- Baja California Sur, Mexico. …
- Mirissa, Sri Lanka. …
- San Diego, California.
Where is the best place to see humpback whales?
The following are the world’s best places to watch humpback whales in their natural habitat.
- Saguenay – St. Lawrence Marine Park, Québec. …
- Baja California Sur, Mexico. …
- Bahia De Banderas, Mexico. …
- Pacific Coast, Colombia. …
- Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa. …
- Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand. …
- Disko Bay, Greenland. …
- Maui, Hawaii.
Which town is most famous for whale watching?
Monterey, California, USA. The central coast of California is not only jaw-droppingly beautiful, but the area, especially around Monterey, is a prime whale-watching destination. In fact, you can see cetaceans here year-round.
Is morning or afternoon better for whale watching?
Benefits of Morning Whale Watching
One of the reasons that the morning time is the best time of day for whale watching has to do with weather and ocean conditions. The wind is a key player when it comes to smooth seas, and morning trips often have less wind.
Is it safe to swim with humpback whales?
Is it safe to swim with humpback whales? Although huge by size, humpback whales are one of the most gentle animals in the world. It is safe to swim with whales, but do listen to the instructions of your guide. Be respectful to the whales by keeping your distance and not touching them.
Has a whale ever eaten a human?
Despite occasional reports of whales scooping people into their mouths, it’s incredibly rare—and for all but one species, swallowing a human is physically impossible. On Friday, a lobster diver made headlines when he described miraculously surviving being “swallowed” by a humpback whale off Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Has a humpback whale ever killed a human?
On Wednesday morning, a 35-year-old woman from Calgary died after a humpback whale landed on the boat she was on for a snorkelling tour in Mexico’s Baja peninsula.
