{"id":42175,"date":"2024-09-26T16:18:18","date_gmt":"2024-09-26T23:18:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.seattleschild.com\/?p=42175"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:46:29","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T16:46:29","slug":"whale-watching-around-the-seattle-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.seattleschild.com\/whale-watching-around-the-seattle-area\/","title":{"rendered":"Whale watching around the Seattle area"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Seattle area is one of the best places to go whale-watching. There are plenty of whale-watching tour options that take you out to sea, but there are plenty of spots, on shore, that you just can’t miss. Look out to sea, and if you’re lucky, you may spot a whale spout in the water or a whale tail hitting the top of the surf. If you’re really<\/em> fortunate you might spot a whale breaching.<\/p>\n

Here are a few places to go whale watching around the Seattle area and resources on how to spot them<\/a>. There’s so much to learn about these majestic mammals of the sea, while observing from land. Bonus, no seasick tummies!<\/p>\n

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Photo credit: Laura Murray<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Who\u2019s out there (and what do they look like)<\/h4>\n

First you\u2019ll need to know what you\u2019re looking for out there. Two organizations in Washington provide excellent information on the whales that travel the Salish seas. The Whale Trail<\/a> and Orca Network<\/a> teach people about the various whale pods in the sea through awareness and advocacy.<\/p>\n

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Provided by The Whale Trail, illustrated by Uko Gorter<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Provided by The Whale Trail, illustrated by Uko Gorter<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

There are typically five types of whales roaming the waters of the Salish Sea. The Salish Sea encompasses the Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca and Strait of Georgia. There are the iconic Southern Resident orcas and Bigg\u2019s (transient) orcas, which are identified by their unique dorsal fins and saddle patches. Then there are three other whales, which are the more migratory species:\u00a0 grays, humpbacks and minkes.<\/p>\n

Keep your eyes open for other marine animals too, like dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions and otters. You can see a complete list of whales and marine animals on The Whale Trail\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Where to go: Best on-shore places for spotting whales in the Salish Sea<\/h4>\n

San Juan Islands: Lime Kiln State Park<\/h4>\n

Lime Kiln State Park<\/a> is known as one of the best places in the world to watch whales. From May to September three pods of southern resident orcas (J, K and L pods) can be seen, often close to shore. Keep your eyes open for minke whales and other marine animals, too. Families enjoy visiting the lighthouse, interpretive center, and snack shop, open during the summer. While on the island, there are three additional Whale Trail sites<\/a> you can explore as well.<\/p>\n

Visit The Whale Museum<\/a> in Friday Harbor too and learn more about whale bones, conservation, sightings and more. Open daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m.. Tickets are free for 5 and under, Students $5, Seniors (65 and up) $6 and General $10.<\/p>\n

Good to know<\/strong>: Getting to San Juan Island requires a ferry ride. The park is about nine miles from the Friday Harbor ferry dock. During the summer it\u2019s best to have a reservation<\/a>\u00a0if you\u2019re driving onto the ferry. A Discover Pass<\/a> is required at Lime Kiln State Park.<\/p>\n

Whidbey Island<\/h4>\n

During the spring (March-May) catch a special group of gray whales known as \u201cThe Sounders.\u201d They may be feeding on ghost shrimp just off shore in Langley. Then in the fall, Southern Resident orcas visit Admiralty Inlet. Plus Bigg\u2019s (transient) orcas and humpbacks come throughout the year. The Whale Trail has six sites<\/a> throughout the island that you can visit for on-shore viewing.<\/p>\n

The island is also home to the Orca Network<\/a>, a non-profit organization connecting people and whales since 1996. Make sure to visit their free museum<\/a> in Langley and print out these fun kid activities<\/a>. They also have a public Facebook page<\/a> where a network of volunteers posts whale sightings all over the PNW, The organization has also created a map of on-shore locations<\/a> with links to hydrophones so you can listen for whales underwater.<\/p>\n

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Photo credit: Laura Murray<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

If you’re looking for more whale fun visit Langley Whale Center (105 Anthes Ave, Langley) and nearby Whale Bell Park (100 Anthes Ave, Langley). At the park, if you see a whale, ring the bell to let others know.<\/p>\n

Good to know<\/strong>: From the south, you can hop a ferry<\/a> in Mukilteo. If coming from the north, you can drive across the Deception Pass Bridge.<\/p>\n

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Photo credit: Laura Murray<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Vashon Island\/West Seattle<\/h4>\n

Here are two options for whale watching. For both, fall and winter are the best times for spotting Southern Resident orcas as they follow the salmon. Bigg\u2019s (Transient) orca, seals and otters are usually seen year-round and humpback and gray whales, occasionally. On Vashon Island, Point Robinson<\/a> is the official Whale Trail site where families can enjoy beach play and a lighthouse (not currently open for tours). If you’d like to stay for the night, two lighthouse keeper\u2019s quarters are available to rent<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Photo credit: Laura Murray<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

West Seattle has four fantastic sites\u2014Alki Beach<\/a>, Charles Richey Viewpoint<\/a>, Emma Schmitz Overlook<\/a> and Lincoln Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Whale watching takes a lot of patience, so if you’re looking for a way to get the wiggles out, stop at the Whale Tail playground near Alki Beach.<\/p>\n

Good to know<\/strong>: To get to Vashon, catch a ferry at the Fauntleroy ferry dock in West Seattle.<\/p>\n

Other suggestions on where to go whale watching around the Seattle area:<\/h4>\n

\u2022 Head over to Port Townsend and then visit Port Townsend Marine Science Center<\/a> (PTMSC).
\n\u2022 Take a trip to Salt Creek (near Port Angeles) and then go see Feiro Marine Life Center<\/a>.
\n\u2022 Visit Redondo Beach and then head off to MaST (Marine Science and Technology Center)<\/a>.
\n\u2022 See<\/a> a map of all The Whale Trail sites from California to Canada.<\/p>\n

Good to know before you go:<\/h4>\n