Experience one of the ocean’s most formidable species
When it comes to whale watching in Washington State, orcas are the stars of the show and for good reason. Orcas can be seen here year-round and possess a formidable reputation in terms of power, agility and fierceness. Depending on the time of year, however, “gentler” species such as humpbacks and gray whales can also be enjoyed.
Orca numbers peak from April to September, while March, April and May is the best time to witness the epic migration of the gray whales as they make their way from their feeding grounds in the Arctic to the warmer breeding waters of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. Humpbacks too, are becoming more common as their numbers increase.
While whales can be observed from numerous points along the Washington coastline, the waters of the San Juan Islands are the whale watching epicenter in these parts. Experience the spectacle of family groups of orcas gorging on salmon, while pods of porpoises, soaring eagles and swooping cormorants also vie for your attention.