FAQ's about Whale Watching Tours
Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, Washington, near Seattle.
Frequently asked questions about whale watching tours
1. What sets your company apart from other whale watching companies?
What we have been told by our clients is that they have a wonderful, memorable time.
Clients tell us that our naturalists and staff are warm and friendly. That the naturalists
are involved, knowledgeable and love to teach what they know.
We love our jobs. We see ourselves as professionals.
Whale Watching Staff
2. How do we find the whales?
San Juan Safaris belongs to a "spotting network". This network includes spotters on land,
out on the water and sometimes in the air. Our captain also has his or her own "network of
friends". Both of which gives us our high percentage of sightings.
3. To Charter or not to charter a boat.
For certain types of events, family reunions, team building and more - chartering the entire vessle makes a good deal of sense.
With a large group it might even be a bit less expensive.
4. Our group of eight wishes to just be by ourselves. What is the best way to accomplish this?
A full charter, which is 3 - 4 hours can start at $895 for 18-passenger vessel,
The Kittiwake, includes the Captain and naturalist/first mate. See our boat charter page
5.What is required to book the whole boat?
A 50% non-refundable deposit at time of booking, and that balance of the charter is due 30 days prior to the charter.
6. Is there a bathroom?
Yes! A XL one on the Sea Lion and a standard marine head on the Kittiwake.
7. Cancellation Policy
We are particular about our cancellation policy.
Without giving a credit card, one would not have a firm booking.
Of course one would be welcome to show up and take their chances.
In July and August, however, the chances of just showing up would
most likely not afford one a place on the whale watch vessel.
No shows are charged full price.
8. What do you need to bring to go whale watching? Click the link to view the list
9. What is the best month to see the whales?
There really isn't a best Month. The orca whales are generally around
the islands May - September. Traditionally sightings are up in the 90+
percent range. But every year is different. In 1999 and 2000, San Juan
Safaris, on a per trip basis, May 1 to Sept 15 sightings were at 90%.
2001 were 95% + (we think 2001 was due to a large amount of Salmon in
the runs) 2002 our sighting were over 90%. Because our trips start on
the San Juan Island, where most sightings occur, and because of our boats
18 knots with passengers, we are usually able to get to the whales, spend time with the whales,
spend time viewing other wildlife and get back in the 3 to 3.5 hour period. 2003 to 2010 sightings were over 90%.
10. What is the best time of day to see the whales?
We have not found that morning is any better than afternoon or evening.
Our sighting percentages are high.
Go when it fits into your schedule best. We are one of the few operators that offers a sunset tour. Sunset is a beautiful time to be out on the water.
11. What is the age limit on your vessel?
We take any age. We will ask parents of children under two years of age to stay in our windowed heated cabin for safety reason or wear on them a baby carrier.
12. Will your vessel accommodate a person in a wheel chair?
If the person can stand, walk up two steps on the outside of boat, then one on the
inside, we will do our best to pre board them.
We cannot place a wheelchair in our boat
due to safety considerations.Seats must be anchored to the boat itself. Please let us know when booking so that we can plan ahead.
13. What is the Scedule for the whale watching tours? Click here for Whale Watching Wildlife Tour Schedule
14. Can I make a reservation on line? Yes! - Click Here
15. What about sunset trips?
Approximately mid June to mid August we offer sunset whale watching.
At this time of year in the Pacific Northwest the sun does not set
until approximately 9:30 PM and it stays light until 10 PM
.
The sunsets are romantic and breathtaking. (And many restaurants stay open late in the summer).
16. How long are your whale watch trips?
All of our excursions are approximately 3- 3.5 hours. Because our
boats can travel at speeds to 18 knots, we can almost always get
to the whales, spend time with them and other wildlife and get back within that time frame.
17. Why don't you offer whale watching the remainder of the year?
There are actually several reasons. The two main reasons being: The orca whales are
not usually in the vicinity of the islands after October.
Also, weather and water
conditions tend not to be good in the winter months.
After September, the weather is often unpredictable.
In the past winters are windy,(30 to 50 mph wind)
rainy and cold. Wind is not good for water conditions. Also, most importantly,
whale sightings become scarce. Some think that the Orcas usually go further out to sea. Some of our resident orca whales have been spotted as far south as Monterey California in the winter months.
18. Do you take school groups, scouts, and kids clubs?
We sure do. We love to teach kids about the whales, wildlife, and the ecosystems
here in the islands and what they can do to help protect these resources. Best
time for these excursions is May, June and September, when it's not so busy.
We are known as the small group specialists.
19. What are we likely to see besides Orca Whales? Lots of birds and wildlife.
20. Where do we go? Wherever the whales are. Sometimes that might be out towards Canada,
or down to the very south end of the island, or to the north end of the island or WAY north to what is known as 'the coal docks' and
occasionally the orca are not around San Juan Island, but you can depend on this; they
go wherever they want to go. (They can easily cover 100 miles in a day)
21. Where are the resident orca whale most of the time? Map of where whales are most frequently seen - Click Here
Orca Whale Watching Tours San Juan Island click here
Why San Juan Safaris?
No tour operator sees whales more often than San Juan Safaris - 95% or better.
Our whale watching boat Sea Lion is 55 foot, new and fast.
With only 40 or fewer guests aboard, there is plenty of room at the rails or in the windowed cabin for everyone.
Knowledgeable marine naturalists will inform and amuse you. Our crew loves their work and it shows. Guests tell us that the staff is attentive, warm and friendly.
San Juan Safaris is proud of its reputation for strictly adhering to the 'Whale Watching Guidelines' and for respectful wildlife viewing ethics. The owner has been in the wildlife viewing business for over forty years!
Read a recent article about owner Bill Wright and his background in
whale watching and wildlife.
We guarantee that you will take home life-long memories. ©
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Breaching Orca - photo contest winner Ernie Westle of Canada,
taken near San Juan Island
Our whale watching boat MV Sea Lion-
55 foot, new and fast with walk around deck and bathroom
2007 Orca Photo Contest Winner David Erlich
Orca Breaching by Dennis Anderson
2008 Photo contest winner
Families and Whale Watching - a perfect outing
Patty Quales and her husband sent this in for the 2010 Photo Contest
. They are the winners for 'wildlife'.
This was taken on the southern end of San Juan Island of Stellar Sea Lions hauled out.
Note the lighthouse in the background.
Janet Holba 2010 photo contest winner in the whale category
 Six orca whales by whale watcher Herb Hartmann
Ruffles with his wavey dorsal fin
 Orcas in the Mist: Whale Watching boat with orca whales - the camera lens makes the whales appear close to the boat . . . but they are not
 Big Splash! Orcas having fun????
 Four galloping orca whales by whale watchng guest David Erlich
 Whale Tail by whale watching guest Ron Vedder
 Baby Orca with its Mother Orca by whale watching guest Ron Vedder
We are proud members of the Pacific Whale Watch Association, formerly known as Whale Watch Operaors Association Northwest. Both Colleen & Bill are board members for many years This logo assures you that a company is a member in good standing.
The "Association" has worked with scientists, NOAA and industry leaders to assist in writing the Whale Watching Guidelines and Best Practices
sanjuansafaris.com is the copyrighted intellectual property of
San Juan Safaris, Inc.,
Friday Harbor, WA, USA
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