Get up close with the killer whales off Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juan Islands near Seattle, on this guided, 3.5-hour whale-watching cruise from Eastsound. Led by naturalist guides and captains, climb aboard a Blackfish fleet vessel and travel through some of the most picturesque scenery in the Pacific Northwest searching for orca, humpback and gray whales. Along the way, see ocean wildlife in their natural environment, like seals, porpoises, sea lions and otters — plus a wide variety of birds and more. Sightings are guaranteed from April through early September.

Take a whale-watching cruise near Seattle
Visit Orcas Island, part of the San Juan Islands
See resident killer whales
Witness local ocean wildlife in their natural environment

What's Included

Professional guide
High Speed Vessels
3-4 hour tour
8.1% Washington State sales tax and applicable fees. The taxes and fees are required by the governing authority and not within local supplier's control

Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

8368 Orcas Rd
8368 Orcas Rd, Eastsound, WA 98245, USA
Check-in will begin 30 minutes prior to the departure time. Our crew will meet you at the top of the dock that is directly beside the Ferry Terminal on Orcas Island. Our Orcas Island location requires you to take the Washington State Ferry to get to the island.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Most travelers can participate
This tour departs from Orcas Island. The island can only be reached by the Washington State Ferry System. If your party is not already on island we recommend our Anacortes departure location.
Check in begins 30 minutes prior to departure.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Janet_B

The boat is roomy and comfortable and has a bathroom. Organized, friendly and knowledgeable crew, plus...we saw orcas! (They were feeding...which we did not see..but the smell and remnants were another unforgettable experience.)

Reviews

4.5

350 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 350 reviews

Great trip and beautiful day on the water.

Linda_M, Sep 2023

Sophia and Delaney were very informative. Got to see sea lions, the blow of a humpback and a pod of orcas several times. Great crew and day!

We had Jim & Katie and...

Katheryn_P, Aug 2023

We had Jim & Katie and they were amazing. The trip overall was great. We saw orcas and a humpback whale!! 10/10 recommend

We loved seeing the...

David_W, Aug 2023

We loved seeing the beautiful islands and coastline from the sea. The boat and crew Captain Brock and Naturalist Sam were awesome. We learned a lot about whales and other sea life and animals. It was a thrill to see humpbacks and minky whales, porpoises, birds and sea lions

The crew was very...

AmyJo_A, Jul 2023

The crew was very knowledgable. The water was so calm. We saw a pod of orcas, harbor seals, eagles. We checked in 30 minutes early and then bought snacks to take at the ferry terminal store and used the restroom. Take binoculars. Dress for a cool wind if you want to sit up top. It was a perfect day.

Booked this trip last...

Tanya_H, Jul 2023

Booked this trip last minute and had a wonderful experience. Our captain was knowledgeable and friendly.

Good tour — wish we got a little closer

Minh_V, Jul 2023

The tour was good. Comfortable seating, thoughtful provision of jackets for people who are cold, and nice captain and first mate. It took a while for us to find the whale pods but we eventually did find three groups. My only regret is that the captain didn’t move in a little bit closer to the whales. Other boats were definitely closer. We also saw some harbor seals, a bald eagle, and some sheep. A good experience overall. I recommend that guest bring snacks and beverages on board since none were provided and that would have helped kill the time while waiting for whales.

Something you need to see!

Debbie_L, Jul 2023

The whales were the best part of this trip! I would suggest this trip, but I would do it from the Anacortes side the ferry was to expensive.

Great whale watching tour

Kristen_N, Jul 2023

This was a great experience. Our guides were knowledgeable and had fun showing us all of the wildlife. We even got to see a huge pod of killer whales and two eagles in a mating dance!

Great tour

Thomas_D, Jul 2023

Very professional and educational. Only suggestion is have a drink/snack voucher included. Captain tried hard to spit nature etc.

Just book it! It's so worth it!

cara_S, Jul 2023

By far the best whale whatching tour i have ever been on!!!. Brock and Katie were amazing! I will retrun to see them and the whales soon! Thank you for the great experience! Katie, you are so knowledgeable and i loved talking with you.

Spectacular, peaceful and breathtaking way to enjoy whale watching.

Nancy_M, Jul 2023

Resident Orcas, humpback whales, and bottle neck dolphin were our eye candy for the day on this adult only tour. Captain and mate were involving and very knowledgeable. They can't take credit for the sun and very gentle breeze, but it sure enhanced the experience. The resident Orcas are endangered, so we kept a respectful distance and enjoyed with binoculars. Hence the reason for no fascinating pictures.

Followed a Humpback

Amy_H, Jul 2023

We followed beside a humpback whale for nearly 40 minutes and got to see it breach often and flip it’s tail up at us several times. It was pretty amazing.

Great whale watching experience

Janet_B, Jul 2023

Awesome tour

Christopher_S, Jul 2023

Captian Phil and Kaylie were great. Their knowledge of the area and wildlife really added to the trip and they were wonderful with our three kids 12, 10 and 7 who were full of questions. We were able to see a Humpback whale "Orion" multiple times and lucked out that it came so close to our boat.

Terrific Tour

Michael_C, Jun 2023

Wonderful and knowledgeable crew dedicated to finding orcas while educating passengers. Comfortable boat, skilled skipper made for great experience!

Nice trip but they wouldn't go where the Orcas were

Dawn_M, Jun 2023

Seems like they have a route they follow and don't deviate. I had been following a Facebook group for Orca sightings. When I told them there were Orcas spotted just 20 min prior near a different island I received 2 different excuses of why they couldn't go. We did see a humpback though. Staff was very friendly.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Glad to hear you saw a Humpback on your trip. Thank for joining us. We frequently encounter Humpbacks on our guaranteed whale watching trips. We appreciate you sharing your social media with us. The Salish Sea is a large area. Sighting can be more than 8 hours away on these types of pages so this information though exciting is often not very useful. If you are interested in longer range Orca focused tours, we do offer those. We call them our Orca Only experience. They are more expensive and take longer. They are also only for adults and teenagers. You are welcome to consider that the next time you come if Orca whales are what uniquely gets your motor running. We love all wildlife, and we understand a passion for Orcas. We have tours for all types!

Ocas whale watching.

Leonard_V, Jun 2023

Great day and a wonderful, very informative crew. Saw Orcas , humpback whale and sea lions. Would go again.

Memorable trip!

Julia_W, May 2023

Wonderful experience! Very knowledgeable crew with three naturalists educating on habitat, animals, birds, whales. Professional captain. Very friendly team! Seeing orcas and learning new things about them was exciting!

Amazing

Hemmily_B, May 2023

It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the beauty of the surroundings. Also had a great crew. Would definitely do it again.

Whale watching

CHRIS_T, Sep 2022

Afternoon of whale watching for about 4 hours. Beautiful area and saw humpback and orca whales. Small group with. 2 naturalists on board that were very knowledgeable about the area and various species of whales. Definitely worth the experience and time for the trip!

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