The 13 Best Whale Watching Tours near Seattle

1.Whale Watching from Friday Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 780 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $135Our pick

Set out from Friday Harbor with San Juan Safaris aboard the 55-foot MV Sea Lion, a boat with a heated, windowed cabin and an open deck. A naturalist helps identify whales and other wildlife as the captain follows sightings around the Salish Sea. Crews have included Vaun and Kelly, and Lauren and Emily; crew members vary by departure.

“Amazing experience! Watched a pod of orcas for almost an hour. Crew was incredibly nice and helpful.”

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2.Whale Watching Tour from Anacortes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 681 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $119Best value

From Anacortes, Outer Island Excursions takes you by high-speed boat into the San Juan and Canadian Gulf islands to look for orcas, humpbacks, gray whales, and more. Naturalist guides explain the wildlife and local waters. Trips run about three to four hours, and sightings are guaranteed from April through early September.

“Really fun and we saw a lot of animals! It was a roomier boat than we thought and there are snacks and drinks available. The crew was very knowledgeable about local geography, history, and especially wildlife habits. Dress warm!”

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3.Orcas Island Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 442 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $119

Leave Orcas Island on a high-speed boat with a captain and naturalist to search the San Juan and Canadian Gulf islands for orcas, humpbacks, gray whales, and minkes. Trips last about 3.5 hours, with a maximum of 30 people. Crew members vary; past trips have been led by Captain Phil and naturalist Ginny.

“Very good tour, we saw a humpback and a pod of orcas. Trevor and Liberty were fantastic. Definitely a must do while on Orcas.”

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4.Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 378 reviews · 4 hours · from $148

Leave Pier 69 for a three-to-five-hour cruise through the Salish Sea, searching for orcas, humpback and gray whales, seals, sea lions, and seabirds. An onboard naturalist explains the wildlife and conservation work. Food and drinks are sold onboard, and you receive a free trip if no whales are sighted.

“Not only did we see Orca, we saw a family pod of Biggs Transients. We even got to see them hunt! Our captains, support staff, and naturalist guide were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. 10/10 would go again!”

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5.Only Wildlife and Whale Watching Tour Leaving from Seattle

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 248 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $153

Leave downtown Seattle aboard an FRS Clipper vessel for a three to five hour search for whales and other Salish Sea wildlife. An onboard naturalist explains animal behavior and conservation, while you watch from the deck or choose a seat indoors. Orcas, humpbacks, seals, and porpoises are all possible, but sightings are never certain.

“The staff were amazing. We just didn’t see any activity except for 3-4 pop ups of minkos whales. Was given a voucher that’s good for a year but not living in the area not sure when I’ll be able to come back. Kinda wish there was an option of getting maybe 50% back of cash back vs voucher. You just really have to be prepared that you might not see whales.”

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6.Guaranteed Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 239 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $119

Depart from Orcas Island for a 3.5-hour wildlife cruise among the San Juan Islands. A professional guide helps you look for orcas, humpbacks, seals, and birds, while the boat gives you wide views of the islands. Past crews have included Captain Brock, Tiffany, Sheila, and Phil. If you see no whales, a second excursion is offered free.

“Travel nurses- this was so fun to do even solo!! They were so friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable! My phone actually died before we saw any whales, but it was so nice to really take it all in from my own eyes and not from behind a screen! Captain Brock and Tiffany were wonderful and helped us see so many cool things. We got to see two killer whales take down a seal right off the back of the boat!!”

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7.Whale and Orca Guided Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 46 reviews · 3h 30m · from $119

From Orcas Island, spend 210 minutes searching the San Juan Islands for orcas, humpbacks, minke whales, and gray whales. A naturalist guide explains wildlife behavior, while indoor and outdoor decks and an onboard restroom add comfort. Past crews have included guides such as Ginny, Hannah, and Trevor, though your crew may differ.

“Great trip, saw harbor seals, sea lions, orcas and Ollie the sea otter! Liberty and Elliot did amazing captaining us around the islands!”

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8.Whale Watching Adventure Tour Near Seattle

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 45 reviews · 3h 30m · from $149

From Anacortes, Blue Kingdom Whale and Wildlife Tours takes up to 17 passengers into the Salish Sea aboard an open-air zodiac-style boat. A captain and marine naturalist guide the 3.5-hour search for orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions and other wildlife. Cruiser suits, hats, gloves and binoculars are provided. No ferry trip is needed.

“Guides were very considerate, informative and truly care about the safety of everyone. They went out of their way to make sure we saw orcas and gave history and details about the family we viewed. I would recommend them and would book again if I were to come back.”

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9.Orca Whales Guaranteed Boat Tour near Seattle

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 33 reviews · 4 hours · from $199

Head out from Anacortes aboard a high-speed vessel with Outer Island Excursions and a marine naturalist. The four-hour trip searches the San Juan Islands and Salish Sea for Bigg’s orcas, which can travel more than 100 miles in a day. Sightings are reported on 98% of trips, but the boat keeps a regulated distance, so bring warm clothing and be ready for a brisk, sometimes rough ride.

“The crew were very knowledgeable and made the experience much more interesting.”

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10.Orca whale tour from Orcas Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $199

From Orcas Island’s north shore, Outer Island Excursions takes you out in a high-speed vessel to search for Biggs killer whales in the Salish Sea. A marine naturalist is aboard, and the trip lasts about three to five hours. Hunter is named as a guide on the water, with Tom and Eli also singled out in personal thanks.

“Hunter guided us like the pro he is on the water. We were blessed and saw multiple orcas up close!!”

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11.Full Day Whale/Wildlife Tour; Friday Harbor Stop

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 6h 30m · from $279

Set out from Anacortes on a semi-covered boat limited to six passengers, with a heated cabin, outdoor deck and onboard restroom. Your guide searches the San Juan Islands for orcas, humpback, gray and minke whales, plus sea lions, porpoises and eagles. The roughly 6.5-hour trip includes two hours to explore Friday Harbor.

“Incrível, vimos muitas baleias orcas, apesar do tempo chuvoso a navegação foi tranquila! Tyler foi impecável, até dicas de restaurantes em Friday Harbor!”

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12.Whale Watching + Deception Pass Tour from Seattle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

From downtown Seattle, ride north in a small-group van to walk Deception Pass’s forest and shoreline, then join a three-hour whale-watching cruise from Anacortes. A naturalist guide stays with you throughout; wildlife sightings vary, but orcas, humpbacks, seals, sea lions, and eagles are among the possibilities.

“This was an AMAZING Day!!! Our tour guide Matthew was completely incredible and we had so much fun. The provided lunch was a culinary feast (not a sandwich as expected). We got lots of history while traveling. On the Whale watching, we saw Humpback whales "courting" and then we saw Orcas playing. The Orcas put on quite the show for our tour!! And then on the way back, we saw sea lions on a small island. The homemade cookie at the end of the day was such a sweet touch!”

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13.Orca Whales guaranteed boat tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 3 reviews · 4 hours · from $199

Spend about four hours searching the San Juan Islands for Biggs orcas aboard a high-speed boat with a professional guide and onboard naturalist. The operator reports a success rate above 95 percent and offers a free return trip if you see no orcas. Sheila and Captain Phil have led one successful outing, but crew members can vary. You must be at least 12.

“The driver was great and had some great information on the whales.”

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