The 15 best things to do in whidbey island updated 2020. Whale season on our island is a seasonal event, and happens only when the whales are cooperating. Whidbey refers to the largest island off the coast of the continental united states. The best time to catch site of these magnificent creatures is late february through late may, when the large gray whales come into saratoga passage on the east side of our island. Transient orcas seen feeding on gray whale south of whidbey island.
The whale trail site is located at whale bell park. The odysseys multi level wrap around viewing decks provide space, open air, comfort, and lots of warm sunshine. Anacortes is the perfect departure point for guaranteed whale watching and wildlife cruises. Whale watching in washington washington whale watching tours.
Orca network is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to raising. The safeguarding of our customers personal identifying information that is on record with whidbey telecom company is a priority to the company and its employees. Trace the shoreline to get the most of your whalewatching experience and hit one, two or maybe all of the sites listed below for an excellent. Two and a half hour cruise with puget sound express. Orca networks langley whale center celebrates and shares the lives of gray whales, orcas and other. Helens and the olympic national forest and major metropolitan cities less then 90 minutes away, you are able to explore the area in all directions from one economical central location. Mysterious in mist or sparkling in sunshine, the puget sound and san juan islands are always changing and always beautiful.
Whidbey island whale watching on whidbey island yabsta. Connected to the washington mainland by a bridge spanning spectacular deception pass which provides a link to anacortes and thence onto the mainland, this island is a popular puget sound getaway for visitors up on the ferry from seattle, or down by road. She is 98 long, 30 wide with a cruise speed of over 25 knots. If you want to go to the main land you have to take a ferry from clinton which is the southern end of island. She is also incredibly quiet which will enhance your whale watching experience.
Wagnwalk, which takes place towards the end of august, is western washington s premier celebration of dogs and things dogrelated. Whidbey island gray whale tours puget sound express. Its located off of washington in the pacific northwest. Whidbey island and the surrounding puget sound is world renowned as one of the greatest places on earth to view whales in their natural habitat. Anyone can do that by downloading the whale report app on a smart phone. The two naturalists on board were great knowledgeable, informative, and responsive they even customized a talk. The whale museum, located in beautiful friday harbor, washington, opened to the public in 1979 as the first museum in the country devoted to a species living in the wild. Whidbey island stretches from south to north and is pretty long.
You can download the app both on apple and android phones. Today, our museum continues to promote stewardship of whales and the salish sea ecosystem through education and research. Langley has a whale center, and the island is home to the orca network, an organization known worldwide for following and championing every kind of marine mammal. This cruise will take you through the puget sound in search of the whales that migrate along washingtons coast every year. While resident and transient orca can be found in puget sound almost any time of the year, march and april features the addition of gray whales, and boat tours are one of the best ways to see the whales. Mystic sea for our guaranteed whale watch and wildlife cruise and enjoy a fun. Fullday whale watching and whidbey island tour from seattle.
Donna sandstrom, founder and executive director of the whale trail, explains that one of the best ways to take in washingtons majestic marine life is to take a daytrip along the olympic coast. Whidbey island events, festivals, lodging, lifestyle and more. Langley whale center 2020 all you need to know before. The security of all customers personal information must be maintained regardless of whether it is contained in written records, electronic data, or in any other medium.
Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island adventures. Seattle new technology could help ships and ferries navigate around. View all hotels near langley whale center on tripadvisor. While we have wonderful boat tours that give you a great perspective, sometimes the whales schedule doesnt exactly match tour schedules. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. Gray whales betweenn whidbey and camano islands, washington. Whale watching tours from whidbey island whidbey and. This map from the orca network shows many great places around puget sound where you can watch whales, if there are any nearby. Our spring whale watching trips march through may frequent prime gray whale feeding grounds. Guaranteed whale watching tours from anacortes the worlds best opportunity to see wild orcas is right here in the san juan islands, february through november. Whale watching in washington is one of the top things to do on a visit to the main city of seattle or the popular san juan islands. Whidbey island fun things to do during your whidbey. It refers to the large woman that tend to inhabit the island. Scott real estate, your trusted real estate resource.
Hd gray whale sighting north puget sound whidbey camano. Tour the island county historical society museum, 908 n. Set out on a whalewatching cruise from seattle to see gray whales then visit the picturesque town of langley on whidbey island. Whale watching from land whidbey and camano islands. San juan island is the center of whale watching in the pacific northwest and therefore friday harbor on san juan island is the best location for departing on a whale watch tour in washington state. This blue whale was spotted by a cascadia research team about 17 nautical miles northwest of. Anacortes is our flagship location where island adventures first began back in 1996. Overlooking saratoga passage, the picturesque town offers closeup views of a wide variety of marine mammals. Help washington state ferries track whales in puget sound with. The best whale watching sites in puget sound you dont. Island adventures is known as the areas premier whale watching company, but we also offer private charters throughout the year.
The city of langley is located on whidbey island in washington. Island adventures whale watching in seattle, wa and san. There are many opportunities to observe the orcas from the many miles of shoreline on whidbey island, the kitsap and olympic peninsulas, and the inland waters of puget sound. The next step is a weeklong administrative hearing that began thursday in seattle. The 15 best things to do in whidbey island 2020 with. The public can download the whalereport app and report sightings to. From ten to twelve grays return most years to northwestern whidbey island or southeastern whidbey island and port susan, camano island, feeding on ghost shrimp and tubeworms for several months. Get up close with the orca whales off the san juan islands near seattle on this 4hour whalewatching cruise. The langley whale center is a project of orca network, based on whidbey island, wa.
The island explorer 5 is simply the best whale watching vessel anywhere. Situated in the rain shadow of the olympic mountains, the san juan and canadian gulf islands provide calm waters seasickness is very rare. Updated february 12, 2020 tours depart oak harbor and langley. Each spring, majestic gray whales migrate from the southern waters north to alaska.
From langley it takes approximately 1 hour 25 minutes to the anacortes ferry terminal, traveling via scenic whidbey island. Migrating gray whale watching in washington state island. Orcas, grey whales, mike whales, porpoises, and other species can all be viewed on the tours operated by local whidbey island whale watching tour operators. In recent years 20082009 more gray whales have been reported feeding in more areas around whidbey island, including holmes harbor and along whidbey. Use our whidbey island real estate filters or tour via video chat to find a home youll love. Mar 23, 2012 short hd video clip of a gray whale eschrichtius robustus or baleen whale i filmed from my deck on the west side of camano island, washington looking over saratoga passage towards whidbey island. Here, you can find secret public beach access that only locals know about, find the best restaurants and local businesses, explore the history of whidbey, find the indoor and outdoor recreation youre looking for, find calendars of whidbey island events, and. Recent orca whale sightings near seattle island adventures. Nov 27, 2018 more commonly known as whale bell park, this parks main feature is a brass bell donated to the city of langley by orca network that visitors ring when they see a whale passing through the saratoga passage. The island explorer 4 and island explorer 5 feature full walk around lower decks, upper viewing decks, great sound systems, heated cabins, galley service, his and her restrooms, and the best crew in the area.
This site is a great resource for those who are thinking about visiting or planning to visit whidbey island. Port townsend seattleedmonds whidbey island tour details seattle whale watching tours. Whidbey island area fair island county fair until 2012, on the third weekend of july, includes rides, food, and animal shows. Washington state ferry crews are now adding reports to a new app, and using it to help save. More commonly known as whale bell park, this parks main feature is a brass bell donated to the city of langley by orca network that visitors ring when they see a whale passing through the saratoga passage. Whidbeys whales are part of an uncommonly healthy population of 18,000 to 20,000. This week, washington state ferries will be the first to use the. Just like lots of humans, they may come to whidbey to visit, rest, enjoy a fine meal.
Search all available mls listings in the pacific northwest with john l. These boat charter companies also offer whale watching. Their habitat includes country bars, cheap nightclubs, and many of the fast food locations across the northwestern state of washinton and. Orca network is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the whales of the pacific northwest, and the importance of providing them healthy and safe habitats. Short hd video clip of a gray whale eschrichtius robustus or baleen whale i filmed from my deck on the west side of camano island, washington looking over saratoga passage towards whidbey island. These creatures are of the pachyderm family, are mammals, and are the largest land animals alive today. The catamarans viewing decks offer excellent vantage points to spot the whales and an expert naturalist provides informative commentary.
Guaranteed whale watching tours puget sound express. It features a high speed boat that goes out for about 45 minutes, then looking for whales for an hour, and a 45 minute return trip. The cold warera jet, commonly referred to as the whale by navy aviators, was flown up from raytheon technical services company in van nuys, calif. Touching whales or marine mammals in the us is illegal, but in the magical lagoons of baja, mexico, a few very special gray whales began a connection with local fishermen in the 1970s. Whidbey island whale watching whidbey island events. Gray whale feeding in crescent harbor, whidbey island, april 10, 2010 gray whale tutorial gray whales eschrichtius robustus the saratoga gray whale field guide produced by cascadia research collective. Western looking to explore the best of western washington. Located on i5, about halfway between portland and seattle, our region offers you the perfect vacation base camp. Enhancing awareness of the southern resident orca killer whale community to foster a stewardship ethic to protect and restore orca habitat. May 04, 2009 gray whales betweenn whidbey and camano islands, washington.
View photos, 3d virtual tours, schools, and listing details of 340 homes for sale in whidbey island, wa. Baker, hiking, arts and theatre, charming villages and water adventures like whale watching bellingham whatcom county is a unique area of washington state. Brooks recommends the east side of whidbey island for viewing gray whales that usually hang out around camano island. Port townsend seattleedmonds whidbey island tour details. Langley is known for its art, charm, great restaurants and inns, and whale bell park. The returning gray whales, or sounders spend their days foraging in the waters around everett and south whidbey island. The other large island is camano island, east of whidbey. Apr 29, 2011 the cold warera jet, commonly referred to as the whale by navy aviators, was flown up from raytheon technical services company in van nuys, calif. Whidbey island bed and breakfast association 220 second street ste 101, pmb 34, langley, wa 98260. The resident pod of north puget sound gray whales feed off the waters of saratoga passage and possession sound from march to may each year. Tour the spectacular scenery around whidbey island, or venture out for an extended journey to the san juan islands with penn cove sailing associated with leisure yacht charters.
Stop in for lunch at a restaurant overlooking the water, and enjoy the quiet crawl of life here, a short jaunt from seattle and an easy stop en route to the olympic peninsula. It takes about 50 minuets from the south end to the north. Along with the arrival of spring comes the passage of gray. Nov 06, 2019 whale watching, nice this tour leaves from deception pass, a 1 12 hour drive north of seattle. Whale watching on whidbey island whidbey island is lucky enough to be visited by two different populations of whales each year. Forests drop down to hidden coves, rocky beaches and steep cliffs at whidbey islands edges before taking a dramatic pacific ocean plunge. Whale watching adventures in anacortes, washiington. While resident and transient orca can be found in puget sound almost any time of the year, march and april features the addition of gray whales, and. Apply to security officer, protection specialist, law enforcement officer and more.
Sophisticated whale watch spotting technology is used to mark where island adventures has seen whales on each of its tours. With magnificent natural scenery, skiing and snowboarding at mt. Hiking the whale trail a walkable guide to whale watching. Use our innovative tools to customize your search for washington real estate, oregon real estate and idaho real estate. Drone footage of grey whale mother and calf playing with. Transient orca seen feeding on gray whale near whidbey island. At their regular whale meetup, they talk practicalities as basic as whether to inventory cooking wine in food or drink, and as bigpicture as developing a farmland project on whidbey island.
Life seems to slow on this narrow and hilly island, the smell of fresh salt air seducing the nose even when the sea has disappeared behind acres of forest. Orca network encourages shorebased whale watching, or watching for whales while commuting on washington state ferries. A trained eye can see them from miles away as their blows can reach up to 15 feet high. A whale expert is reporting a rare sighting of blue whales off the washington state coast. From langley it takes approximately 1 hour 25 minutes to the anacortes. The shores and waterways of washington state is filled with aquatic life like the minke, humpback and the california gray whales. Whidbey island hosts many festivals and celebrations throughout the year. The whale part isnt what you think but has a common definition as whidbey itself. San juan island is where the southern resident killer whales live about six months out of the year, from midapril to october. Langley san juan safaris san juan island whale watching tours. Washington ferries use new app to help struggling orca population. Whidbey island historical spellings whidby, whitbey, or whitby is the largest of the islands composing island county, washington, in the united states.
San juan excursions whale watching washington whale. Whale watching from land whale watching is a favorite activity in and around puget sound. Everywhere you go, especially at night, there are going to be large women. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in whidbey island, washington on tripadvisor. Our whidbey island gray whale tours run approximately 2. How the whale wins chef renee erickson became a national.