Whale Watching in the Pacific Northwest
January 4th, 2010 by Bill Carli
The Pacific Northwest is home to many whale watching destination vacations. Killer whales and Orca whales can be seen both from the shores along Washington state’s coast and from private whale watching ships. The San Juan Islands off the northwest coast of Washington is the most popular destination for those who want to see the whale migration and habitat.
The islands of San Juan, Orcas, Shaw and Lopez make up the largest of the San Juan Islands. These four are the most accessible and popular, as they are the only ones that the Washington state ferries provide service to. The San Juan Islands include the 80 islands in the San Juan Island Refuge and are made up of over 170 islands total. These islands were once part of a land mass that joined Canada’s Vancouver Island to Washington state. Protected from the Pacific Ocean by the Olympic Penninsula and Vancouver Island, the islands are indeed a perfect refuge for wildlife. Orca whales, sea lions and a wide range of other creatures make their homes in this area of land that is more than 20 miles from the mainland. Besides the ferry service, the larger of the islands are also accessible by private plane and boat.
The San Juan Islands are a whale watcher’s dream vacation destination with their ever present whale population and magnificent array of wildlife. Naturally, many small and large boat operators provide whale watching expeditions that allow visitors an opportunity to see the amazing animals up close. Small boat tours offer personal service that is not usually found on large boats. Most small whale watching companies provide three to four hours of whale watching excitement with less than ten people and direct access to a captain who will educate them about what is being seen. All visitors on the smaller boat then have the chance to observe the whales without being lost in the crowd like they may be on a larger vessel. Whale watching from a small boat provides a unique experience that a larger boat cannot offer.
April to September is considered high-season on the San Juan Islands. Visitors will typically find whale watching expeditions available during these times, so be sure to plan a vacation accordingly. Sometimes the smaller whale watching operations who are able to search farther out will offer tours from late-March up until the end of October. For days when the whales are just not in the area, most tour companies will offer enjoyable and informative excursions throughout the San Juan Islands Refuge to see its other inhabitants like the sea birds, sea lions and seals. Kayaks can also be taken out to get in even closer proximity to the wildlife.
The vacation of a lifetime can be found in the amazing beauty of unspoiled land and wildlife in Washington state’s San Juan Islands. The Pacific Northwest offers a rare chance to see Killer and Orca whales in their natural setting. Researching the area, the accommodations and the whale watching tour companies before arriving will make the experience all the more memorable.
Bill Carli lives and in the San Juan Islands where the beauty of nature abounds.
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