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Marine vessel osprey starboard side

Marine Vessel

Osprey

Perfect for large groups & parties
All Aboard Osprey!

Osprey is the largest vessel in our fleet. Coast Guard approved for 126 passengers and crew, this boat is ready to host your group event, party, or private charter! Osprey runs our Classic Whale Watch and Wildlife Safari daily in June through August.

 

 

Marine Vessel Osprey

Osprey Quick Facts

Osprey Highlights

  • 126 Passengers
  • No age restrictions
  • Two comfortable restrooms
  • Full wrap-around observation deck
  • Two different level viewing decks
  • Inside cabin area with bench seats and tables
  • Galley on board, with snacks and beverages available for purchase (upon request)
  • Indoor and outdoor seating Audio system available by request

4-Hour Charter: $6,395 + taxes and fees

Tours Aboard Osprey
Classic Whale Watch from Friday Harbor

Classic Whale Watch & Wildlife Tour @ Friday Harbor

  • 3-4 hours on the water 
  • Departs from Friday Harbor
  • Marine Naturalist(s) for questions
  • Heated inside the cabin area
  • Comfortable restroom(s)
  • Great for families and small kids

Adult: $125.00
Child: $89.00

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boarding kestrel

Private Charters & Groups

We offer custom private tour experiences for groups of 1 to 100 participants, focusing on seamless service, complimentary itinerary planning, and personalized attention to detail.  Arrange a private activity for a variety of groups and occasions!

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Tufted Puffin on the water

Birding Safari

Charter one of our boats for a Birding Safari which is 3 - 4 hours in search of birds and wildlife in obscure coves and backwaters of the San Juan Islands.  Come see all the wildlife that the great Pacific Northwest has to offer!

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  • Marine vessel osprey starboard side
  • Whale flag flying with Mt. Baker in the distance on a sunny day
  • pc: Olivia Ellman, San Juan Safaris
  • People enjoying the Classic tour on the Osprey bow
Whale Reports from Osprey
Read about our recent sightings aboard Osprey!

Our naturalists love to share their exciting adventures on the water. These reports include photos and information about the wildlife encouters on recent tours!

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08/25/26 LV (T49A3)

Two Different Groups of Bigg's Killer Whales

Levi Vandebunte | M/V Osprey | August 25th, 2026 | 12:30pm

The weather and water conditions were beautiful on this day which made for a great trip from the start. We turned left out of Friday Harbor and pointed North up San Juan Channel. We then wrapped around the top of San Juan Island and entered Spieden Channel. It didn't take long to spot a family of six Bigg's Killer Whales swimming through the glassy water. It was the T49As! This family is adored in this region and is made up by a mother...

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BCX1700_08.26.26_AL

“Notcho” Average Afternoon with a Humpback Whale and Three Non-Native Undulates

Aly Liu | M/V Osprey | Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | 12:30 pm 

Today was “Notcho” average afternoon. Let’s talk about why!

M/V Osprey departed from Friday Harbor and headed north through San Juan Channel and around Henry Island into Haro Strait. Suddenly, Captain Gabe slowed the vessel to 7 knots, as we were within a half nautical mile of a 15 foot blow that he spotted in the distance. It is always fun being the first to arrive on scene with a whale, as this gives us the opportunity to put our...

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T109As 08/22/26

An Interisland Adventure with Bigg’s Killer Whales the T109A’s

Lauren Tschirhart | August 22nd, 2026 | M/V Osprey | 12:30 pm

Today was one of those special days where we were observing orcas not even 20 minutes into our trip! We got word that the T109A’s had been picked up in Upright Channel, which is the body of water between Shaw and Lopez Island. Many folks are familiar with this channel as it is part of the Washington State Ferry Route to get to Friday Harbor. The M/V Osprey departed the dock and headed to Turn Rock to view our sea otter friend. After...

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T036As

Three generations of Bigg’s Killer Whales hug the Waldron Island Shoreline

Lauren Tschirhart | August 21st, 2026 | M/V Osprey | 12:30 pm

The San Juan Safaris Classic Whale Watch & Wildlife Tour spent the afternoon observing a family of five Bigg’s Killer Whales. This matriline is known at the T036A’s and is made up of: 

  • - T036A/Leland — female, born in 1990
    • - T036A1/Tierna — female, born in 2005
      • - T036A1A/Drift — male, born in 2022
    • - T036A2/Kailas — female, born in 2012
      • - T036A2A/Rogue — born in 2025
    • - T036A3/Storm/Mike III — male, born in 2015
    • - T036A5/Squall — male, born in...
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Steller Sea Lion 08/23/26

Beloved Bigg's Killer Whale Family Cruises Along Waldron Island

Levi Vandebunte | M/V Osprey | August 23rd, 2026 | 12:30pm

Bigg's Killer Whales have been absolutely loving Waldron Island lately, and today was no exception. Shortly before we left the dock, a fellow PWWA member vessel spotted a family of these whales circling the island. They likely were looking for Harbor Seals, which Waldron has no shortage of along it's shores. We made the transit North out of Friday Harbor and arrived to Waldron Island to see six black dorsal fins cutting through the...

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pc: Olivia Ellman, San Juan Safaris

The T49As Bigg's Killer Whales Love The San Juan Islands

Olivia Ellman | M/V Osprey | August 20th, 2026 | 12:30 pm

With stunning views of Mt. Baker and beautiful sunny skies, we departed Friday Harbor excited to search for whales and wildlife. Luck was on our side as pretty quickly into our trip we reached a report of some Bigg’s Killer Whales! Not too far up San Juan Channel along Orcas Island there was a family of 6 travelling together, and no one was surprised to see that it was once again the T49A matriline! I love this family so much, and it has...

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The Biggest Bigg's Killer Whale T-Party I Have Ever Seen!

Abby | M/V Osprey | August 19th, 2026 | 12:30 pm

What an epic day! Today's trip is one for the books! We left our dock today as soon as we finished boarding because we had a report of 24 Bigg's (or Transient) Killer Whales that were far away. 24! When we have numerous matrilines’ of these killer whales coming together, we call it a T-Party (T being for Transient). The families that were in this report were the T035's, T036A's, T049A's, T065, T063, and the T100's. Such a diverse group today that...

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pc: Olivia Ellman, San Juan Safaris

Cutest Bigg's Killer Whale Family Hunts at Turn Point

Olivia Ellman | M/V Osprey | August 18th, 2026 | 12:30 pm

Today’s classic tour was likely my favorite all month, and some of my favorite photos I’ve taken all season! The T49As have been seen all over the area these last weeks, so it was no surprise to hear that they were reported north of San Juan Island today. We set out of Friday Harbor in that general direction, stopping along Spieden to see some great looks at many moufflon sheep and a few harbor seals resting on the shoreline. We made it to...

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08/16/26 LV (T19s, T35As, T49As)

Group of 15 Bigg's Killer Whales Cruise Through Glassy Water

Levi Vandebunte | M/V Osprey | August 16th, 2026 | 12:30pm

We left the dock with some distant reports of whales, but no firm plan for our trip yet. We began moving North into some waterways that had not been searched much yet. Just a few minutes after leaving Friday Harbor a fellow PWWA vessel spotted some dorsal fins near Saturna Island! The whales were moving South towards us, which was super convenient. We continued heading North to hopefully see these animals. We made one stop on our way at a...

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t49askk

Juvenile Male Killer Whale T49a4 " Neptune" Splits From Family

Kelly | M/V Osprey | August 15h, 2026 | 12:30pm

We were so blessed today to have whales RIGHT In our backyard, and not just any whales…the beloved T49a’s! We traveled only about 15 minutes outside of Friday Harbor before exhales appeared in the distance. This is a family of 6 members consisting of:

  • T049A/Nan — female, born in 1986
  • T049A3/Nat — male, born in 2011
  • T049A4/Neptune — male, born in 2014
  • T049A5/Nebula — female, born in 2017
  • T049A6/Charlie II — male, born in 2022
  • T049A7*/Nimbus — born in 2026

T...

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