The Song of the Sea

Whale Watching Seattle

While Seattle is an urban playground of vacation villas, shopping, and sightseeing, nothing can compare to the natural beauty of seeing whales in their natural habitat. During the months of December to February and March to May, grey whales make their migration from Alaska to Baja and vice versa, making these months the perfect time to catch a glimpse of these amazing creatures. Along with whales, there are multitudes of marine life to be seen on one of Seattle’s many reputable boat tours, which take you into the most remote sites for seeing all that the wetlands offer.

whale watching seattleFor the authority on whale watching and how best to find your ideal tour, perhaps consult the Whale Watching website from your vacation villa. Take a day to reconnect with nature in the pristine surroundings of San Juan Island as well as Puget Sound and many other sites where nature still abounds.

Western Prince Whale & Wildlife Tours received a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor, and offers different boat and charter options to cater to any group. Charter your own private boat to explore the San Juan Islands for an unforgettable experience or enjoy the elements with fellow nature enthusiasts that share the wonder of whale watching.

One of their vessels, the Western Prince II, has a 3-4-hour experience guided by a seasoned captain and expert Naturalist who demonstrate their expertise and answer questions as you tour the high seas. Including necessities on board such as binoculars, books, blankets, and jackets, they are prepared for anything including shy whales. Their other ship, the Western Explorer, makes a 2.5-3-hour trip for those looking to pack their day with activities before returning to the comfort of their vacation villa. With cushioned benches for comfortable seating, this tour includes warm insulated cruiser suits, hats, and gloves for each guest to keep warm against the elements. The smaller of the two ships, this tour is limited to 15 passengers for a truly up close and personal experience. Because of its size, this tour provides a fast and fun open air experience so you can feel and smell the ocean breezes.

seattleAmong the other most highly recommended tours, the Puget Sound Express has a sterling reputation, receiving TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence. This tour group is a family run business for over 30 years of experience to ensure the greatest opportunity for viewing whales and other marine life. With a motto of guaranteed whale watching tours, you can ride free of charge until a whale is spotted. This group also offers multi day whale and wildlife experiences to submerse yourself into their natural habitat. The Seattle tour specifically offers the sight of orcas, humpback whales, and the wildlife of the San Juan Islands just north of Seattle. Another option, the Port Townsend 4 Hour Tour, climb aboard the Chikat Express, which cruises over 40 mph making it the fastest whale watching boat in the entire Northwest! This ship boasts indoor and outdoor viewing decks, with a fantastic café to purchase snacks and other necessities. Along with seeing whales, bald eagles, seals, sea lions, tufted puffins and various other species of marine wildlife can be seen on this half-day tour. If the whales around you decide to be bashful and stay under water, listen to them talk to each other through an onboard hydrophone.

Like Puget Sound Express, Island Adventures also guarantees whale sightings, and had a 96% success rate in 2015! With over 20 years of experience and an excellent staff, they guarantee a great experience. Their website is a multitude of information and conveniently has whale watching how to’s, etiquette, frequently asked questions, and many resources on finding out more about the local whale watching community. For a truly unique and life changing experience, then whale watching is an essential stop on your Seattle vacation.

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