Whale Watching with San Juan Safaris
Whale Watching with San Juan Safaris
Friday Harbor
view website62 First St. North
Friday Harbor, 98250
800-450-6858
360-378-1323
Good-for-Kids Rating
Boating
Whale Watching
Whale Watching with San Juan Safaris Description
If spotting whales from shore isn't enough, take a whale watching excursion into the open ocean. Each trip includes an enthusiastic naturalist, blankets, printed interpretive guides, and a "hydrophone" so kids can listen to the underwater sounds -- including, with any luck, whale songs. While there's no guarantee you'll see the whales, San Juan Safaris has a 90 percent success rate, and prides itself on being polite and respectful to the whales' habitat. Kids will also enjoy spotting harbor seals, river otters, porpoises, and the occasional sea lion.
Kid Tips
Babies: Children under two are welcome, but for safety reasons need to stay inside the heated, windowed cabin with a parent or guardian. Leave the stroller behind.
School-Age Kids: Let school kids be in charge of the printed guide so they can check off the animals they see as they spot them.
Planning Notes
- Reservations (with a credit card) are required. You can make reservations online, but they will not be confirmed until a crew member calls you (usually within 48 hours). If you really want to make sure you have a reserved spot, call instead.
- The cancellation policy is strict. Check the website for current restrictions, but in general you need to cancel at least 48 hours before the departure time, and groups larger than five may lose half of their deposit.
- Bring a hat, jacket, sunglasses, and sunscreen. You can stay inside the boat and look out the windows if you like, but you'll be missing all the fun. Prepare to be outside in the sun and wind for a few hours.
- Wear good boating shoes. Flat shoes are best, and a rubber sole gives you maximum traction (sneakers are perfect).
- Bring snacks and bottled water. Hungry little ones will benefit from munchies, since the tour is at least three hours long.
- A bathroom is available. It's not fancy, but it works.
- What not to bring. Cell phone use and smoking are discouraged, and glass bottles are a strict no-no. Binoculars are available on board, so there's no need to bring your own.
Just the Facts
Hours: Whale Watch: Typically mid-April through early October; departures daily at 1 p.m. Sunset Tour: Mid-June to mid-August; departures daily at 5:30 p.m.
Fees: Over $40
Recommended Time: Half day
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