San Juan Safaris-Whale Watching Reviews

Sarah and Cpt Eric went above and beyond for our excursion. They check in with the guests for any time restrictions (ferry times, flights)
We didnt are a major marine mammals until they caught word there was a pod of orcas coming down from Canada. They took us to the very north border of US waters just to see the whales! Super grateful!

We went with San Juan Safaris for two events while visiting San Juan Island; whale watching and kayaking. The whale watching on the adventure boat was fun and exciting. Although the orcas decided to hang out in Canada for the day, the crew made every attempt to show us as much as they could (we saw a minke whale, tons of porpoises, eagles and seals) and get as close to the orcas as possible. The naturalist on board was a great addition to the crew and really enriched the experience by sharing all the information he could; even through a mask. On the kayak trip the next day, our guide was super friendly and was both informative about what we were seeing and also explained the how and why of his decisions for crossing the channels out to and back from the Haro Strait. Overall, a really high recommend for SJS!

Epic Adventure! Orcas & humpbacks ! 2nd year to the San Juan Islands & my San Juan Safaris family never disappoints! Captain Gabe, Jordan and Piper-thank you so much for a awesome trip! #Team J Pod!!..ok T123(a) too!

Booked a last minute tour on a day off while traveling for work. Took the adventure tour captained by Brian with Olivia as our naturalist. This duo was awesome. Took the boat through some pretty rough water to get us on some whales. Spent the whole trip tracking some killer whales, and ended with a humpback siting. These folks love what they do, and it makes it that much more enjoyable. Would definitely come back and do it again!

My wife and I had a wonderful trip. We got to see a bunch of orcas. We even got to see the jumping out of the water and making a huge splash. On the way back, the boat driver took us by a few islands where we saw sea lions, seals, bald eagles, and a whole bunch of goats onshore that became wild after some person brought them over for some failed exotic game hunting island. The boat was clean and the driver did a great job of keeping the trip smooth. We definitely recommend this.

Our tour was Captained by Brian. Our naturalist was Alexandria. Probably the most chipper person you've ever met, but she was clearly doing what she loved. I love how they were very honest with us up front, and did not make any promises of actually seeing Orcas. However, we were promised that we would see plenty of Wildlife and enjoy the tour of the San Juan Islands. And wouldn't you know it, Brian found us an Orca pod. It was a Transient pod with one male and two females. He knew the whales, he knew how to guide the boat safely alongside the whales, he was very helpful in understanding what they were doing, how they were reacting, and what to expect. As other boats arrived, he peeled off to make sure we did not threaten the whales. I love that they were honest with us up front and did not make promises, and that they kept their word. I would highly, highly, highly, highly recommend this Tour group!

The staff was great and very knowledgeable, the boat was comfortable, and the reservation process was very easy. Everything was easy to find and it was a great time.

INCREDIBLE WHALE WATCHING TRIP! The naturalists were fantastic and made sure everyone had a great experience, would highly recommend!

We had an amazing experience today! Captain Mike, Sara and Kelsey were awesome! Gave us so much information about the whales! We seen both Orca's and a humpback whale. We had the best time

My first time whale watching was better than I could have ever imagined! The tour started with a great introduction to whale watching and viewing wildlife (things to look out for and a few facts). The staff Mike, Sarah, and Jordan were SO friendly and SO knowledgeable. Sarah and Jordan taught in a super engaging way and they were also very attentive to the guests, making sure everyone was comfortable during the boat ride!
We ended up seeing eagles, some seals, harbor porpoises, a family of orcas, and a humpback whale!
I learned so much about orcas, including about their identification (totally new info for me).
10/10 would recommend!

Ill start with the positives by saying this company does an excellent job of creating a family friendly, welcoming, relaxed adventure. The naturalists were great. We had Sarah and Jordan, both were friendly and knowledgeable. The staff that handled booking and confirmation was prompt, courteous and made sure to answer any questions (like ferry travel.) The boat was very clean and comfy, and their building was conveniently located within walking distance of ferry and downtown Friday Harbor.

As for the negatives, all of which should NOT reflect on San Juan Safari as a business, but on the experience of whale watching as a whole. It s definitely a gamble, a $200 gamble in our case. We saw 3 whales, they were Minkes. I appreciate the crew s honesty, they could have called them Orcas and I would have been none the wiser. Understand, the captain will spend significant time riding to and from harbor. Make sure to dress warmly, it was July and felt like November on the water. Also as much if not more time was spent watching non-whale things like birds and seals. I was hoping to see whales, not a bald eagle in a tree. Nonetheless, I get it, when whales are sparse its time to find something to keep passengers interested. I was really hoping to head north towards Orcas Island and Canada, but instead we headed south to the Strait. In the end, zero Orcas were spotted, which made the experience very disappointing and kept me from giving it higher rating.

Perfectly sized boat and crowd. We never felt crowded or like we couldn't see the wildlife. The naturalists were very knowledgeable and spoke with passion and enthusiasm matched only by the crowd's excitement of seeing orcas. My husband More

The guides were amazing! So friendly and knowledgeable. We went out and saw some Orca whales which was completely surreal! They popped up right next to the boat! The guides offer blankets BECAUSE it does get quite chilly on the boat. Definitely recommend taking a coat. Seriously such an amazing experience! Highly recommend!

I have now been on 2 whale watching adventures and both times seen whales! The naturalist, Alexandria and captain Pete were amazing!! I would highly recommend booking trips with this company!!

We saw some orcas but too far away. Wish we could get closer.

WOW Put this at the top of your list.
The captain took us along way out to a bay that had many whales.
One shot I got had 6 whales in it. They were cartwheeling/breaching/feeding/socializing
When the boat was turned off - the whales were clearing their blow holes of water to breathe - it was so LOUD. Amazing So fun!

With wildlife, nothing is ever guaranteed. What is guaranteed with Brian and his excellent crew, is that all guests will have the richest, most educational experience possible, regardless of whale sightings. Orcas are certainly a bonus, and we saw our fair share, but the time spent on the Sea Lion and the Kestrel went much further to help us appreciate the ecology of this incredible and unique part of the world.

I booked the wrong day and everyone on the phone was super helpful. On the day of the excursion our captain and naturalist were very knowledgeable and made our trip special. Of course the whales were the real stars, two orca pods a humpback and a sea lion that swam right towards us!!

Awesome tour. Highly recommend. Would go again. We went on the adventure tour. The boat was cool. Covid times so at about half capacity, with masks. Saw humpback whales, orca whales, seals, bald eagle.

As a whale lover this was the best experience on our trip to Seattle. We did a day trip from Seattle so it was a bit of a long day, with 3 hr drive and 2 hr ferry boat with 1/2 hr waits to get on ferries. Be sure to confirm your times to get the ferries and make reservations if you're taking the car. San Juan Safaris Tours last about 3 hours. Boat ride was chilly so be prepared! Great time seeing a pod of 5 transient Orcas. Resident Orcas sadly weren't around. As the whales are protected, boat can only get within 200 yards so recommend bringing binoculars and a good camera for pics. We were also able to see seal lions and a few eagles. Great staff! Recommend this tour!

We spent our last full day of our honeymoon in the PNW with San Juan Safaris and they did not disappoint! We know no one can control the whales and whether we see them or not so we just kind of didn t think we would considering we were right past the season. Little did we know we were headed out to see about 7 Humpback whales and K pod orcas! They were literally everywhere we looked and it was one of the most incredible expirences of my life! The capitan and first mates were professional and super knowledgeable about anything you wanted to know. Captian Brian was very respectful of the distance and engine shut off also when approaching the whale areas. All very friendly and passionate about what they do. I would 100% take this trip again when we find ourselves in the area. Even if we hadn t seen any whales, the trip alone would ve been worth it. It was beautiful. Thank you!

We went out on the Kestrel on the 16th. What a great time!!! The fast boat was cool because we had a shorter trip between stops, giving us lots of time to enjoy the sights. Olivia our naturalist was very friendly and knowledgable. Captain Gabe handles the boat like a pro and had plenty of Dad jokes for Fathers Day.
During our trip we saw 2 Humpback whales, an Orca, Bald Eagles, Harbor Seals and Porpoises. It was an experience we will never forget!!!!!

This is a review from a disappointed father.
We took our 3.5 year old daughter out to Seattle for a trip that was just for her. We live in Austin. We wanted devoted time with just her for a few days. And she LOVES all sea life, but namely Orca Whales. We booked this tour after reading reviews and seeing that it has a 90% success rate of seeing whales! She was gonna lose her mind.
The only thing we saw in our 4 hours on the water were a pair of bald eagles and a few sea lions. And all from pretty far away.
No seals, no whales of any kind, no porpoises... nothing in the water.

The first think our daughter said to my mother in law when we got home was, "We didn't see any whales or orcas" - it killed me.
We took her to the Space Needle, to the Zoo, the Aquarium, our to Mt. Rainier... and she loved the whole trip. But the her first comment about the trip was that she didn't get to see orcas.

It was by far the most expensive boat ride I've ever been on.
I get that you can't guarantee sightings... but man, we were so disappointed.

Had a wonderful experience on M/V Kestrel with Naturalist Lauren and Captain Gabe! They were knowledgeable and led us right to the whales! We saw transient orcas (mammal eating orcas), a massive Steller sea lion, and a bunch of sun bathing seals (so cute!) The cherry on top of the trip was when a curious orca swam under our vessel and surfaced right next to us. So cool! Can't wait to come back to Friday Harbor and go out with San Juan Safaris again!

I wish I could give a hundred stars!!! I had the greatest experience on Friday August 5th, 2016. I flew in with Kenmore Air from DT Seattle in the morning, and then boarded the Sea Lion for an afternoon of whale watching. The boat was to capacity, but it did not feel crowded at all, which the guides informed us they do on purpose to avoid being so over crowded people can't see. The ride out was very pleasant, saw some bald eagles and sea lions, all super cool. Once we got in an area with Orcas, it was truly an unbelievable experience.I know that what myself and the other fellow Orca lovers on the boat was rare, but thats not the only reason that my experience was so great. The guides were so helpful and informative, taking time to talk with every single person on the boat. I can't say enough positive things about my experience, already looking into my next trip and I will for sure be going on a whale watch with San Juan Safaris again! (Also Kenmore Air was an awesome experience as well, breathtaking views and great pilots)

Informative, friendly, a very good boat and great staff.

I booked their sunset kayak trip for my boyfriend's 27th birthday. He loves "adventuring" and a 3 hour trip would also work for my sense of "adventure." We got Ian as our tourguide. That guy knows his stuff! He was detailed, patient in explaining the kayaking protocols, and really fun to hang out with for 3 hours. He also tailored the trip to our level of energy. I'm sure the other guides are cool too, but I would ask for Ian again.

Did we see whales? No, but honestly the PNW is far more than just the whales. The beauty of the area is breathtaking for itself. We saw eagles, mountain ranges, baby seals, and even kayaked through a giant kelp forest (as seen in pictures).

San Juan Safari, as most of the island community, is also very adherent and committed to social distancing and face covering. It felt like the post COVID world we should be living in. It was a good escape. Wish we had spent more time there! 10/10 worth the money and time. Bring your sun screen and water bottle!

I will review my experience on the Island and the water with questions I received after me and my daughter returned from a recent trip:

Why San Juan Islands and Friday Harbor?

San Juan Islands is located a short ferry ride from Anacortes and not far from Seattle. This Island and the sea around it is home to an abundance of wildlife and probably one of the best place to see Orcas and other whales in the wild. My daughter and I booked the Classic Whale Watch & Wildlife Tour on the M/V Sea Lion based out of Friday Harbor. We went end of November for their last safari of 2018. We really enjoyed our time there and had a splendid time.

Will I see Orcas, where are the Orcas?

Seriously this is the most popular questions! You can see them. Maybe. Remember: they are wild and free. No one can guarantee seeing a whale - that is just silly. But local companies like San Juan Safaris & San Juan Outfitters will work hard to show you all the best spots. As soon as you get off the ferry in Friday Harbor, you will find their friendly and knowledgeable staff in their headquarters right next to the terminal. Capt. and Owner/Operator Brian Goodremont and Capt. and Lead Naturalist Sarah McCullagh worked hard and we got lucky during our safari. We saw two female transient Orcas traveling with their offspring.

Is there more to San Juan Islands than Orcas?

(No one has so far asked me this)

Yes, there is. Great people, good food, and an abundant wildlife (other than Orcas) such as Steller s Sea Lions, California Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, Dall's Porpoises, Harbor Porpoises, and bald eagles plus really beautiful scenery. We saw it all on our trips (yes, we signed up for two consecutive days on the water).

How much time should I spend on the islands?

I recommend at least a whole day. As long as possible make the most of it!

What s the weather like when I go?

Only Google knows. Plan. Ahead.

What did I think of my time there?

Amazing fun, great days out and so much to see and to do. My daughter and I want to go back there and try out the kayaks and see the islands a bit more, maybe I will do a full review on it.

When is the best time of the year to go to the San Juan Islands and Friday Harbor?

Spring or autumn if you don t want too much heat. Winter if you like the rain. Summer if you want sun.

My wife and I had a fantastic time. Two great naturalists on our boat. Saw orcas, bald eagles, seals, and sea lions. Had a wonderful afternoon. Would definitely do it again. Pro tip - take a sea plane to the island for a truly memorable day.

I was quite hesitant to go with my two small children (the oldest is 3) but they were very accommodating and the naturalist was especially good at engaging them. It was such a great experience for all of us and we felt very safe (my biggest concern). Would go again in a heartbeat!

Very knowledgeable and professional staff that knew the area and wildlife very well. We saw a ton of orcas as close as you could legally view them! Captain Mike, Erick and Hannah were excellent guides. Very fun trip, highly recommend!

Such a great experience! Remember to bring binoculars as these came in handy a lot. At first we hadn t seen any whales but the boat tour around the islands was neat. Saw several massive seals on rocky shores of some of the smaller islands, many bald eagles and even some rams. We learned a lot from the Naturalist on board (Lauren) and then when we were headed back we saw a pod of 6 orcas in the distance near Shaw Island. Then they disappeared for a few minutes and came right up to our boat! Couldn t believe it!

Fantastic adventure. Female captain and crew. The crew made sure everyone was included in their educational talks. Very informative. My grandson wanted to wait for his new "friends" to come off the boat so he could say goodbye.

What an amazing experience today! Gabe and Olivia you two were wonderful hosts! We went into the Salish Sea past Victoria, B.C. and we were so lucky because we saw not one but TWO Humpback Whales, resident AND transient Orcas, harbor seals, a harbor porpoise, and Sea Lions!!!! We also learned a ton! The warm thermal wear you provided was Perfect!!! The only thing I would bring next time would be a warm beanie and some thin gloves; regardless we had such a great time. You guys made our trip from Minneapolis worth it it s the reason we came to WA state. Thank you, thank you!!!!!!!! (11am tour, got back at 3pm ty)

We visited San Juan Island in July 2019 and took a whale watching tour with San Juan Safaris. The staff was so friendly and knowledgable. We were so impressed with the time they took to tell us about the wildlife and nature. The crew made sure we saw the orcas and they were amazing! I would highly recommend San Juan Safaris to everyone visiting San Juan Island or the surrounding areas!

The best birthday ever!! Saw a pod of orcas and will never forget it! Excellent stafg and experience!

Great experience. We followed a humpback for a while, as well as seeing a minke whale, seals, sea lions, bald eagles, and harbor porpoises. Crew was very friendly and informative. Olivia was new but was very knowledgeable about the area and the animals.

What an amazing crew! Always willing to answer questions and so naturally excited in the whale watching process. It was a great time, thanks for the contagiously positive energy

We found San Juan Safaris online. I was immediately drawn by the accessibility and ease on their website.
I called once from Canada and asked some questions that were answered with enthusiasm.
After chatting with my hubby we decided to commit and book the tour, regardless of the trek from Seattle.
Over the phone, Ashley and Betty were fantastic to speak with. They even called a day ahead to make sure we were prepared to set sail with all questions, worries, and weight off our shoulders.

We arrived early and had breakfast at one of the local hot spots in town, which was exactly what we were after. A great recommendation from Ashley.
Before boarding the vessel we were introduced to Betty and Sarah. They shared a brief description of their backgrounds and I could feel their love for the islands and the wildlife right away!

We got on board and were greeted by Brian, the captain of the ship.
All three were incredibly thorough and put safety above all. Before long we had set out for whales.

Brian had navigated us to a pod of orcas. He tediously positioned us a safe distance from the whales where he turned off the motor. We could then walk around the vessel to observe the whales quietly as they went about their daily living. At one point the whales were swimming directly towards us!
Unfortunately we were disrupted by a tour company that thought it was useful to do a 20 point turn in the middle of the ocean, in the middle of this experience.
The orcas changed route.

Anyways, we saw seals, porpoises, and two bald eagles too.
I could believe how much these professionals knew about orcas and other marine wildlife, but the knowledge they had on that specific pod said a lot. They knew the waters.
And the eager willingness to share that knowledge was exceptional.
Whale watching should never be about money or even photos, but the true beauty and authenticity of the animal in its natural habitat.
This team was incredible and I implore other whale watching companies to use this company as a role model and template.

Thank you so much San Juan Safaries, and we hope to return one day.

The staff was wonderful from setting up the reservation to the tour. Had an amazing time!

Wow, what an experience. I highly recommend when visiting Friday Harbor. It was obvious that our naturalists, Olivia and Alexandria, have a passion for wildlife and it was contagious. We had a great group and I can not describe the feeling of seeing my first orca, simply breathtaking. I can't wait until my next visit. Thank you for making my trip to Friday Harbor so memorable.

Knowledgeable crew, comfortable boat, saw lots of wildlife, seals and Killer Whales. Was a great day

This is bucket-list stuff, folks! Our excursion was the highlight of our amazing San Juan vacation in the summer of 2017 (posting review really late as we dream about the trip!). Though sightings are not guaranteed, we lucked out and saw 23 orcas, bald eagles, harbor seals, etc. The guides were more than knowledgeable, they obviously LOVE what they do. This is THE outfit to travel with!

I had the best Adventure Whale Watch Tour on my recent solo vacation! This company goes out of it's way to make your experience a great one - whales had been pretty sparse the week that I went, but thanks to the great communication between whale watching companies, we heard news that whales had been spotted and we headed off! We got to see a family group of transient orcas (T-18 & T-19's) and even got to observe them hunting. While on the tour, our Captain and Naturalist made sure to make stops along the way to see bald eagles, harbor seals, and of course the beautiful landscape. It's always nice to hear about the natural history and the wildlife that are native to the area before and during the trip as well (: I would recommend this company for any travelers, from families to solo travelers like myself!

What a Blast! Went on the San Juan Safaris Trip for my birthday. Not only did we see a whole pod of whales, but the staff on board were hilarious, knowledgeable and happy to answer questions.

We had the best experience on the adventure whale watching tour. The orcas were especially active that day, so the captain found them quickly and we spent the day watching a specific pod from a respectful distance. And these weren t just any random whales- they ve been following and studying these whales for decades and could even identify specific whales by name when they got close enough. So cool. Sarah, the naturalist, was super knowledgeable and informative and taught us a lot about conservation, how different orca pods have different cultures and languages (like humans), and orca behavior. It was honestly the best experience with San Juan Safaris!

OMG! Went on Kestrel the other day and had the most amazing whale watching experience with San Juan Safaris! From the very beginning we were greeted friendly and enthusiastically by the ladies working front desk, and the kindness of the staff only continued throughout the trip! Not only did we see Humpbacks, Transients, Seal Pups and Bald Eagles, but the naturalist Rachel was so knowledgeable about everything that was going on during our trip and the Captain made sure we saw whales!

This is my fourth time going whale watching with this company and I love their professionalism and the way they practice respectful whale watching by making sure we get to see these amazing wild animals, all while ensuring we do not encroach on them in their natural habitat. As always I am so impressed with the quality of equipment provided by this company. Since we were going out in the zodiak special suits were provided which kept us warm and toasty the whole time. This company truly goes above and beyond to take care of their guests!

Thanks again Brian for another amazing Whale Watching Trip! San Juan Safaris Rocks!

Lynette
Southern California

My husband and I came to the Washington to celebrate our honeymoon. San Juan Safais really made our trip. The staff were so helpful, fun, and kind. We saw every animal there was to see, Piper the naturalist on our whale watching tour was very insightful. Pete, the captain was awesome. Jordan who took us Kayaking was super sweet. Then ALL the ladies in the store helped us out when our ferry was late and made a special kayaking trip happen just for us two. It was so romantic. Also, they went and grabbed us some raincoats and hats because we missed a ferry and all of our things were on another island. We are so happy we chose San Juan Safaris. The two trips we went on were awesome, but the staff were what really made it special.

Superb experience!!

My nephew visited from Minnesota in August and we took Kestrel, the zodiac, on a whale watch and had spectacular views of southern resident killer whales! The naturalist truly impressed us with her depth of knowledge of the PNW. Captain Brian took a cautious and courteous approach to the whales, being ever mindful of our presence, and with his patience got us some incredible views of these wondrous creatures!

Thank you San Juan Safaris for inspiring nature lovers!

A truly awe-inspiring moment was shared with these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. We have always dreamed of seeing Orcas (Killer Whales) in the wild, and this experience was beyond any of our expectations. Lead naturalist Sarah, naturalist Courtney, and Captain Gabe were terrific!

"When we return wild animals to nature, we merely return them to what is already theirs. For man cannot give wild animals freedom, they can only take it away." - Jacques Cousteau

Captian Brian and mate Alexandra were great, very knowledgeable, friendly, and conscientious about the wild life, we saw alot of Orca whales a Humpback, and some stellar seals, the captian did an excelent job making sure we got great views without infringing on the animals, loved that he stopped the boat when needed for the whales,also appreciated the team networking among the industry for all to benefit
We got warm saftey suits that kept us warm and dry, we were given the opportunity to pick a place to sit and also a chance to move to different seats after a while. I like the fact that they donate some of the proceeds to conservation efforts.
I highly recommend this company, well done team !

Well informed staff. The crew was very friendly and accommodating.

PERFECT Whale Watching Trip! Partnered with Kenmore Air, this was THE best way to get to San Juan to go look for wildlife. Kenmore and San Juan Safaris will make sure you don't miss the boat or the plane. The naturalist onboard were THE BEST (we've been to quite a few of them). They are there to answer any questions and very friendly and knowledgeable. The captain was also the best! While following the orcas, he always put us in the BEST positions without violating the space needed for the animals. (vs. other outfits that kept getting too close and had to duck out of the way). I'd DEFINITELY recommend going with this outfit instead of the others we've been on on the island, even if you don't fly there. (They are right next to the ferry terminal so still close by if you don't fly). A+++++

Great trip, naturist - Jordan was knowledgeable and really enjoyed interacting with everyone, young and old. Erick our captain made sure we saw the orcas and humpback whales.

Take the fast boat. Very good "naturalist" and excellent boat captain. Great time.

Incredible experience on the water! We saw several orca pods, a few sea lions, several harbor seals, and several bald eagles. Our tour crew and captain knew just where to look! It was a beautiful day on the water, the boat was comfortable with plenty of room to sit inside or outside. The naturalists crewing the tour were phenomenal - they were excited to be there and teach us all about the wildlife in the area. I had a great time talking with them and learning why they love the animals in the PNW. I would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to go whale watching!

Great Trip last weekend with my 12 year old daughter. We saw a pod of Orca whales within 20 minutes of leaving the harbor. Several sea lions were spotted on a small island as well. Beautiful Country!! Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Weather was cool and overcast and got kind of cold on the boat. Make sure to dress warmly. Boat ride was smooth so no issues with sea sickness. Would do again and highly recommend San Juan Safaris - Whale Watching

When you do something as special as this tour you don't let your excitement cloud the fact that you may or may not see whales. It was near the end of the season for this type of adventure but WOW did the crew find the whales. Two pods of families and they whales were in a particularly playful mood...breaching the water, eye popping and just having fun. The captain and the naturalists were a wealth of information and were so knowledgeable and fun to talk to. The adventure was truly a life time experience and what I saw was spectacular...thank you so very much.

Do not go when it's not peek season!

The staff is great, the boat is great! We saw porpoises, sea lions, birds and sheep, but no whales. Do not go when it's not peek season! No Whale watching, just whale looking.

We had a good feeling about this from the start. When we booked months ago, they called us to welcome us. Sent a detailed email with instructions of what to expect and travel guidelines. These were not a problem for us but I could see them being an issue. 1. Make sure you understand when ferries leave and arrive. 2. Better bring layers of clothes. Wear shorts? You will get cold!! Guides were fantastic and very educated. We noticed their passion!!! We know now more than ever about Orcas. If that is part of their mission goals , values then check that box San Juan Safaris. The guides made sure you were warm with a blanket if needed. They have rain gear and a bathroom on the boat as well. An unforgettable experience for our family. We got great video. You can hear the Orcas blowing air when surfacing. We spent 3.5 hours total time.

Our family had such a wonderful experience with San Juan Safaris last summer! It was easy to make a booking, the staff were very professional and friendly, and we got to see humpbacks and orca pods! The staff was very knowledgeable about our surroundings and we learned tons about the whales and their habitat. Definitely recommend bringing a windbreaker and your camera!

Excellent excursion, knowledgeable guides, super helpful staff, first rate operation! Highly recommended!

Spent Sunday in beautiful weather on the San Juan safaris Adventure tour boat. The crew is very nice very knowledgeable and treated us to a wonderful time watching whales in learning about the nature of the area. The tour lasted for hours confirm Friday Harbor all the way into Canadian Waters. We had many opportunities to see whales male female and babies. The crew was knowledgeable about which whales we were seeing and made the experience memorable.

Went out on the 5:30pm whale watching tour. The first mate/ conservationist was like a cheerleader for marine life, and the captain was respectful of the Orcas as we neared them. And we saw Orcas, lots of them, and we watched them hunt seals! It was great, the boat was only 1/2 full, which I think the company tries to do so everyone can see and move comfortably. Blankets and binoculars to use, amd there is an inside area to get out of the wind. Would go again with this outfit for sure.

If you are thinking about whale watching in Friday Harbor I can't recommend this place enough. Very knowledgeable guides and you get to see whales and tons of other wildlife, while learning some history of the islands too! Magical is the word I use to describe my experience on the Adventure Whale Watching Tour. Seriously, if you don't enjoy this then check your pulse people!

CANNOT say enough fantastic things about this group. Not only were our guide and the captain professional, they were incredibly courteous, friendly, and engaging! They were legitimately desirous gurantee everyone had a good view of anything we came upon while simultaneously maintaining the safety and space of the wildlife. I seriously respect and appreciate them for everything did and shared with us on our trip. My sister and I did thr Adventure trip and would do it again in a heartbeat....though I warn you....dress for wind protection first...warmth second. Cause that wind is biting....and no amount if warm layers will protect you from 3 hours of it! ;-)

I had a wonderful time!!! Out naturalist/guide and boat captain were the nicest people and genuinely love their jobs and the nature and wildlife of the San Juan Islands. I couldn t of asked for a better tour. I highly recommend taking a tour with them.

Captain Gabe and first mate Jordan were awesome! Gabe got us to whale areas and Jordan schooled the passengers on whales. We saw four Orcas and one baby humpback on the four hour tour.

"It was the worst experience ever we only saw the small whales. Horrible not good, should not go there with kids. It is horrible because they boat to Canada and trust me kids will not have a good time. It was the worst time ever not a good value for the money and it was freezing. It took a lot of time even the back up after the whale watching." Dylan, 9 years old

The most amazing trip. Piper and Laura were the best. Very knowledgeable about all the wildlife around San Juan Island. Would definitely recommend using them if you want to see whales and wildlife. Thanks for a memorable journey.

TL;DR version = This is an incorrectly advertised product! Truthful marketing would be to have it labelled "Sightseeing Tour" or as only a "Wildlife Tour" and completely leave out the word "whale".

Full review =
The reservations staff used phrases like "Bucket list experience" and "Once in a lifetime experience" to give the appearance that what is being sold has something to do with seeing whales. In regards to whales, though, this is a lottery ticket. That is all it is! The staff both on and off the boat were knowledgeable and very professional. The boat was also in good condition and well stocked with supplies. Plus, the reservations staff was great about keeping in contact. Despite the use of false marketing, I think they are trying their best as a business. However, it leaves a very sour taste that they don't offer any sort of return voucher or partial refund or even an apology when they fail to locate any whales for customers despite the hype. At least 6 guests on board voiced our disappointment directly to staff at the end of the tour, and were met with only a simple "We don't give any sort of whale guarantee unless it's July or August". The fact that the entire downtown area has images of orcas plastered on everything from t-shirts to business signs, and other tourists walking around town gush excitedly about the orcas and humpbacks they saw out-of-season, just rubs it in the face of all unlucky customers who paid money to this company to receive a losing ticket. It is a very pretty island with several worthwhile tourist sightseeing options. Paying $100 to take in the sights from the water IS actually a very worthwhile option as well, and this company is a solid choice to charter a boat with a naturalist for that. Just do NOT allow the orca photos and stories from the lucky holders of winning tickets to get your hopes up that YOU will also be able to see wild orcas in nature just because you travelled to San Juan Island and paid a company marketing themselves as a "whale" watching experience! Since the resident orca population is at a 30 year low due to starvation and pollution, it makes financial sense that this company is so completely unapologetic when customers don't see any whales during their "whale" marketed tours. They'd very quickly go out of business if they chose to issue refunds or return vouchers! From my experience with this company, I have learned my lesson as a consumer about the lottery scam called "whale watching tours" and I will not be making the same expensive mistake again in my future. I advise you not to fall for their false marketing as well. If you feel you must pay some company to attempt to see orcas in specific amongst the local wildlife, then at least do it with one of the companies on the island who will make amends to you after a failed "whale" tour. Several of the local businesses can tell you who those people are.

The experience has made me even more thankful for the existence of aquariums so that average income Americans have a guaranteed avenue to be able to see orcas in real life!!!

Mike and Captain Brian were great! Saw a ton of wildlife and some beautiful whales. Brian put us in the perfect spot to see the whales. Tip: pack food.

We saw so many orcas! Full body breaches, little babies, spy-hopping (google it, it's adorable), and miles and miles of following (and being followed!) these incredible creatures. There's no way to describe seeing these beasts in their natural habitat, I can't recommend it enough! San Juan Safaris were welcoming and did everything in their power to make sure that we had an amazing experience. Shout out to Captain Mike for finding those sneaky whales and to naturalist Sarah for the contagious enthusiasm. Don't think, just make a reservation and go!

Excellent adventure wildlife tour. We we're lucky enough to see Orcas, a Humpback, sea lions, rock sausages (a nickname for habour seals) and bald eagles! Even without this luck I'm sure I'd have enjoyed the trip with the Jordan's energy and Gabe's excellent captaincy. Highly recommend

We went on our tour yesterday, March 20, 2019. Our guides were excellent and we were fortunate to see two Orca pods, a sea lion eating an octopus, groups of both sea lions and seals and bald eagles. It was a wonderful experience, making us more aware of the plight of Orcas and what man can do to mitigate the situation. Thank you! - David and Janice Nichols - NY and Issaquah

My friend came to visit me and after some research we decided to try San Juan Safaris for our day of whale watching. We want to give a shout out to Frankie, Alexandria, and Captain Gabe! Frankie helped us multiple times over the phone with questions we had (even tips on the ferry from Anacortes). Alexandria and Captain Gabe were on our trip and it was wonderful! They were both super knowledgeable and fun. They answered all of our questions and gave us great views! We got to see humpback whales, harbor seals, eagles, and a family of Orcas! It was amazing - I would recommend to anyone. Thanks guys!

It can only be 5* they went well past the point of the cruise time to find orcas.

Very informative guide on our trip! We took the Zodiak boat tour and it was amazing! We saw one of everything, and then some! Money so well spent!

Great Whale watching trip on the Kestrel. Our captain and guide were very knowledgeable. On the trip we saw seals (Rock Sausage), a sea lion sunbathing, eagles and the T65A Orcas. Fast boat, which was fun riding in and allowed us lots of viewing time with the whales. Would highly recommend this group!

I went whale watching and we sadly did not see any orcas but it was still an amazing day! So much information and it was beautiful. The boat and facilities were great. I have gone whale watching with other tours and this was still by far the best even with out seeing any orcas.

Had a fantastic time doing a 3 hour kayak tour out of Roche Harbor. Our guide was awesome, we had wildlife come right up to the boat, and saw parts of the San Juans we wouldn't be able to see otherwise. I will be going back to do another tour with San Juan Outfitters. Loved it!

Well the whole purpose is to see whales, right? And we saw lots of them and pretty up close. We also saw harbor seals, sea lions, bald eagles and a humpback whale from a distance. The guides were great, the boat was small enough to get close to the animals. the guides were informative and answered all the questions and gave us a lot of tips along the way.

Shout out to Kenmore air, if you ask me, in getting to and fro Seattle/Friday Harbor, the seaplane is the only way to go.

Absolutely amazing! Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Couldn't have asked for a better experience! Thanks so much for the beautiful whale sightings and information during the tour. You made our trip!

I traveled to the San Juan Islands in mid-September and booked a whale watching trip with San Juan Safaris and what an amazing experience it was! Our guides were amazing, quite knowledgeable and friendly. We saw a group of transient whales and it was something I will never forget. Highly recommended!!

Jordan was absolutely fantastic!! Wish we knew before booking the policy of no alcohol aboard the boat though

The crew on the Kestrel is so awesome, we went out with them twice this week! Both times saw lots of Orcas, also a Minke whale, seals, and Bald Eagles. Brian and his crew were great at locating the pods and being respectful of their space, but gave us an excellent view. Sarah, the naturalist, was also incredible, pointing the whales out by name and providing LOTS of information. We got to witness a meeting of J and L pods and watch them enthusiastically greet and play with each other.

I highly recommend San Juan Safaris if you are looking for a great trip for whale watching! I had family in town from Philadelphia and wanted them to see some of the great things we have in the Pac Northwest. We took the Anacortes Ferry up to Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands for a few days, and I looked for a whale watching tour. San Juan Safaris was highly recommended by our hotel and on almost every review site, so I booked them. We had 2 your children with us (1 & 3), so I was a bit nervous. After booking I received a call the next day confirming everything and asking if I had any questions. Nice touch! We showed up about 30 minutes early as requested for our 5:30 sailing. Were able to see a harbor seal in the marina as we waited which was great for the kids. They have an easy to find location close the ferry landing, and it has a nice little gift shop with a coffee bar and snacks as well as fun stuff to buy for the kids. I highly recommend taking some snacks along, and pack a jacket or blanket as the air was a bit chilly. Our tour began with a quick introduction of Alexandria and Mariana (not sure I spelled right). They were both highly qualified to describe the marine life we would see and gave us a lot of great facts as we toured. A plus..they spend a lot of time working with sea life rehab in their free time...and I found out afterward a percentage of the cost of our tour went to protecting the marine life we saw. The boat captain was friendly as well. We were on the vessel Sea Lion. He gave us some pointers about the trip, and the ship we wee on. It was big enough to give everyone space, but not too big. We almost immediately (within 30 mins) discovered a pod of Orcas. We counted 7 of them plus a big male named Onyx. This was one of the locals pods. We learned a lot on this trip about diets, local vs. transient pods, health of the Orca population here, etc. They stopped the boat for a beautiful photo of the Orcas with the mountain in the background, and with the silence you could hear them spouting very clearly. They even got playful and did a few tail slaps. We also were able to see some other marine life on the trip. Harbor seals and various types of porpoises were really close. We even saw a bald eagle perched on a rock. Overall this was a breathtaking trip. It could not have been more perfect. A few days later when I got home I had a handwritten thank you card from the crew. This is a family owned business that truly cares about the experience they provide. Choose San Juan Safaris...their team is incredibly friendly, the boat was great, and the whale watching was amazing!!

Took my wife as a surprise and we totally loved it. The marine biologist on board was incredibly informative, professional and fun. She couldn't make the whale do a trick but I'm sure that was just a fluke. 10/10 would do again!

Absolutely amazing!!! We did the 5:30pm tour and so glad that we did. We decided we will be doing it again next year and taking the kiddos on the next one. Staff was amazing and very knowledgeable and would answer any and all questions you might have. We actually got to see the J-pod and it was so beautiful and relaxing. San Juan Safaris we will definitely be seeing you again next summer!!!!

I just went on a tour today and it was awesome! It s currently not the best time of year to spot whales but we got very lucky and saw some, and lots of seals. The guide was very knowledable and passionate! Also they are very good about following guide lines set in place to protect the animals and were very respectful for to the animals. Over all it it was, informative, and ethical

Piper and Captain Gabe were a very knowledgeable team! We had fun on the tour, and they made sure that we saw ample amount of wildlife. Staff was friendly, dress accordingly.

Was an absolutely amazing and beautiful trip. From our initial communication with San Juan Safaris was very positive and useful. The difference between this company and others: The boat is faster than the others and brand new too, so will cover more ground. Went on the trip on April 30th and other whale watch companies admit they didn't get to see the hump backs because didn't have as fast a boat as ours. The travel is very smooth as there is no sea sickness and they obey the laws to protect the whales and other cetaceans we saw in the wild. Yes we saw many orcas in the wild which is an experience far more educational and exciting than seeing them in captivity performing against their will in a circus act. We will definitely go back to Friday Harbor and goto sea with San Juan Safaris, God willing.

Fantastic Trip! We went on the faster vessel with an amazing naturist Piper who very qualified and truly knew the wildlife, answered about a million questions from our group. We saw a beautiful group of 4 orca s a mommy, 2 grown boys, and her adopted son. We also saw lots of birds, logs, nature and our favorite rock sausages aka seals. The tour was about 3 hours long, worth the money and we tipped because all 3 of our boat guides were really fantastic. We would come back again for sure!

Excellent all the way around! They made the day perfect! Can't wait to go back sometime