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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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p.c: Olivia Esqueda, September 2026.

Bigg's Killer Whales Socializing in the San Juan Islands

Olivia Esqueda | September 4th, 2026 | M/V Osprey | 12:30pm

 

What an extra fun day out on the water! We left the harbor and immediately came across one of our favorite Transient Orcas- T065A3 traveling along the Shaw Island shoreline. This adventurous male was weaving between the Wasp Islands and through Spring Passage, until we slowly departed in search of other wildlife. 

T065A3/Amir(a) — male, born in 2007

After traveling across the northern part of San Juan Channel and entering New Channel, we...

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9.3.26 LV Breaching Calf

Breaching Calf Highlights an Amazing Afternoon Spent with 12 Bigg's Killer Whales

Levi Vandebunte | M/V Osprey | September 3rd, 2026 | 12:30pm

We left the dock and turned South on this tour, pointing straight at a distant report of Bigg's Killer Whales. They were quite a ways away when we left, but they were luckily moving towards us. We were hoping that would continue and cut down our travel time. Along the way we did a drive-by of Whale Rocks which is near the bottom of San Juan Island. There were several dozen Steller Sea Lions hauled out on these rocks, many of which were...

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Bigg’s Killer Whale T137A/ Jack and The T036’s Swim the Shores of American Camp

Lauren Tschirhart | August 31st, 2026 | M/V Osprey | 12:30 pm

Today we softly said goodbye to Summer. It’s the last day of August and the Burr months are right around the corner. This time of year is always sad knowing our season is winding down, but one thing that is absolutely not winding down is the whale action! We departed Friday Harbor with news that a T-Party had formed near Salmon Bank in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. This party was made up of T036/ Flapjack and the T036B’s, T137A/ Jack...

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p.c: Olivia Esqueda, September 2026.

Bigg's Killer Whale Mini T-Party Milling by Vancouver, B.C

Olivia Esqueda | September 1st, 2026 | M/V Osprey | 12:30pm

 

What an adventure we had today out in the Salish Sea finding whales. The weather this week is reminding us that the summer season is transitioning into fall, as the wind and rain are starting to pick up. This didn’t stop us from heading north through the islands in search of whales and other wildlife, though! 

Weaving between the Wasp Islands, up Spring Passage and into President’s Channel, we found ourselves by the outer islands, which...

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T099s_08/30/26_AL

Cozy Afternoon with 6 Bigg's Killer Whales Near Bellingham

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

Today was quite the cozy day aboard Osprey; town has begun to slow down after peak summer season, and the gray skies and winds allude to fall just around the corner. 

With reports of whales over in Rosario Strait, we made our way northeast from Friday Harbor, weaving between Shaw and Lopez Island. After weaving through Obstruction Island and Blakely Island, we found a haulout of harbor seals at Peapod Rocks! These 250-300 pound rock...

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08/28/26 LV (T100s and T101s)

Two Bigg's Killer Whale Families Pass Right by Friday Harbor!

Levi Vandebunte | M/V Osprey | August 28th, 2026 | 12:30pm

We were blessed with very fortunate whale reports on this day, as there were multiple Bigg's Killer Whale families moving down San Juan Channel as we left the dock! The two families were the T100s and T101s. The matriarchs/mothers of these two families are T100 "Hutchins" and T101 "Reef". Years after these two whales were discovered several decades ago, it was actually presumed that T101 was the mother of T100, so this was a sort of...

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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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