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Kestrel

Built for Adventure
Keep Up with Kestrel

Kestrel is our dedicated Adventure Tour vessel! This boat is perfect for intimate nature viewing and exciting boat experiences. 

Kestrel boat

Kestrel Quick Facts

  • 20 Passengers
  • Minimum age of 8 years old
  • Restroom on board
  • Full line of sight across the boat
  • Covered seating available
  • Suits offered XS-2XL
  • Great for smaller groups looking for an adventure!

4-Hour Private Charter: $3,495 + taxes and fees

Tours Aboard Kestrel
Adventure Whale Watch from Friday Harbor

Adventure Whale Watch & Wildlife Tour @ Friday Harbor

  • Almost water-level views
  • Smallest vessel in the fleet
  • Fast, safe, and comfortable
  • Provided warm suits keep you comfy & dry
  • Restroom on board
  • 360° walk around viewing deck

Adult: $150.00
Child: $150.00

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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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Whale Reports from Kestrel
Read about our recent sightings aboard Kestrel

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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Bigg's Killer Whales North of San Juan Island

August 16- M/V Kestrel - 10:00 am

For our first trip out on the water we headed out towards British Columbia to go and find some orca whales.  We went up to Saturna Island to find a group of transient orcas called the T2C’s.  This particular day our guests were very lucky to get a great look at some of our mammal eating orcas.  Not only do we always want to find whales on our trips we also always try to highlight other wildlife in the area as well.  Harbor seals are definetly are...

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Morning Trip with Transient Whales in the Haro Strait! | 08/15/2018 | 10:00

Jordan | August 15, 2018 | M/V Kestrel | 10:00 trip

The morning was a beautiful start to the day as the fog, that has been heavy on our sea for the past week, burned away as the sun came out. Captain Gabe and I heard several reports of whales so we were excited to head out into open waters today.

We zipped out of Friday Harbor and headed south through the San Juan Channel. We boated through Cattle Pass and checked out a few Steller sea lions that were lounging on the Whale Rocks...

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Smokey Whale Watch| 8/14/18| 2:00PM

Leaving the harbor on Kestrel with a full boat of excited guests and my very own brother aboard for the first time! We even had some repeat guests whom I️ had taken out last time and had no luck with, so we were even more excited to see whales today. There were already reports of killer whales by Heinz bank south of San Juan island. These killer whales were two different families of transients traveling together, including the T65As who have graced us with their presence all summer!...

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Afternoon Trip with Resident Whales off of Henry Island! | 08/11/2018 | 2:00

Jordan | August 11, 2018 | M/V Kestrel | 2:00 trip

This afternoon trip was incredibly lovely as the bright blue skies mingled with beautiful wispy clouds. Captain Mike and I jumped on the Kestrel and booked it north through the San Juan Channel in our speedy vessel.

We went around the north side of Spieden Island and checked out a beautiful bald eagle perching perfectly in a tree! At three feet tall and seven pounds, this massive bird surveyed the land and the sea for any food as we...

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Breaching Juvenile Humpback and "Exotic" California Orcas! | 7/21/18 | 10:00 AM

Piper | 7/21/18 | M/V Kestrel | 10:00 AM

Captain Gabe, myself, and an awesome group of guests left the dock in Friday Harbor this morning headed toward a report of a humpback whale near Cypress Island. We made our way over the top of Lopez Island, right through the heart of the San Juans and in no time at all we’d arrived at our destination. The humpback surfaced in the distance, giving us an idea of where we should look, and as we finished our slow approach we were shocked to see...

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Morning Trip with Resident Whales in Salmon Bank! | 08/11/2018 | 10:00

Jordan | August 11, 2018 | M/V Kestrel | 10:00 trip

The early morning clouds burned away as the sun rose higher in the sky. We knew right away it was going to be a great day as we received reports of whales along the west side of San Juan Island! Captain Mike and I sped off on our Kestrel vessel and headed south through the San Juan Channel and through Cattle Pass.

We passed by Whale Rocks and took the opportunity to check out the harbor seals and Steller sea lions that were lounging...

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Afternoon Trip with a Grey Whale in Deception Pass! | 08/07/2018 | 2:00

Jordan | August 7, 2018 | M/V Kestrel | 2:00 trip

Today the sun was out and shining and the water seemed especially calm as we headed out of Friday Harbor in our search to find whales! We headed south down through the San Juan Channel and through Cattle Pass past the southern point of San Juan Island.

We then spotted some Steller sealions on the Whale Rocks! These massive creatures lumbered around this tiny island barking at each other and rolling around, trying to get as much sun as...

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Afternoon Trip with Bigg’s Orcas near Victoria! | 08/05/2018 | 2:00

Jordan | August 5, 2018 | M/V Kestrel | 2:00 trip

Today was such a great day out on the water! The Kestrel headed out from Friday Harbor and traveled south down through the San Juan Channel. Then, Captain Mike and I traveled west towards the Canadian border and towards Vancouver Island. As we grew closer to the city of Victoria we found our whales!

In fact, we saw a fantastic pod of Bigg’s (transient) whales, the T18s, who were in the process of hunting a harbor seal! Within this family group were...

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Adventure and Whales!

[M/V Kestrel 7/30] 10AM

What a beautiful day we had on the water today!

Our guests eagerly boarded M/V Kestrel for Wildlife and Whale Watching trip!  Captain Mike ad I were very excited about what the day might hold!

As we got on the water Captain Mike received report of orcas within our reach.  We excitedly headed in that direction as we kept our eyes peeled for more wildlife in our area!

After heading north for a bit we were amazed to see orcas all around us!  Views on M/V Kestrel...

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Morning and Afternoon Trips with Southern Resident and Transient Whales! | 07/27/2018 | 10:00 & 2:00

Jordan | July 27, 2018 | M/V Sea Lion | 10:00 & 2:00 trips

Today was another long and but successful day out on the water with our whales!

On our first trip, there were multiple reports of whales around the San Juan Island. Captain Gabe and I set out of Friday Harbor to find some wildlife! We headed south through the San Juan Channel, through Cattle Pass. We found the Southern Resident whales off the southeast side of San Juan Island. Here we found the J17s and J19s who were perusing...

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