How to Choose a Whale Watching Tour Company in the Pacific Northwest
Choosing a whale watching tour company in the San Juan Islands can be a daunting task. With over 170 islands making up the group of islands off of the coast of Washington state in the Pacific Northwest, the number of whale watching companies located in the region is overwhelming. Close to 100 Orca whales make their year-round home in the San Juan Islands Refuge, making the area an ideal spot for a whale watching excursion. Use the helpful hints below to make choosing a whale watching tour easier.
Knowing where the tours are located is an important part of deciding which whale watching tour company to book an expedition with. San Juan Island and its sister island, Orca Island, are the two main points for boarding whale watching tour boats. Hotels, bed and breakfasts and rental homes are readily available on the two islands for tourists and kayakers wanting to go on whale watching excursions. Being close to the whale watching boat dock will make for a less stressful trip.
The Orca whales who make their home in the San Juan Islands Refuge are most visible from early spring through early fall. Most whale watching tour companies offer expeditions from April through September, however, some offer tours beginning in late March and last until November. Although off-peak opportunities to whale watch are limited, they are available with some investigation into the companies available. Time of day that the excursions are run and the duration of each whale watching trip can usually be found on a company’s Website.
Choosing a whale watching trip in the San Juan Islands should also take into consideration the size of the boat being used. Smaller boats tend to take less passengers per tour which gives each person aboard ample opportunity to see and experience the Orca and Killer whales up close. Larger boats are typically more crowded and offer a less personal experience. Whale watching from a small boat vs. a larger boat will give passengers the ability to go out farther in the ocean to see the whales. Smaller boats are also able to navigate among the many small islands that make up the San Juan Islands Refuge. Captains of the smaller vessels are often very knowledgeable about the other wildlife and fauna that are in the area and are able to share this information with the intimate number of passengers aboard.
Each family or couple has certain non-negotiable things that they want to experience during their whale watching trip in the San Juan Islands. By doing some homework and asking for the opinions of local Bed & Breakfast or hotel owners, making the decision about which whale watching tour company to book an expedition with will be made easier. A whale watching trip can the be adventure of lifetime, so be sure to enjoy the chosen tour and take plenty of pictures.
For more information about whale watching in the San Juan Islands, the Pacific Northwest’s premier whale watching destination, visit Carli Whale Watch.
