San Juan Island Whale Watching Tours

Adventure awaits you in the beautiful and sunny San Juan Islands. Join Western Prince Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours on an intimate sized tour (limited to 32 passengers on the Western Prince II and 15 passengers on the Western Explorer) as we explore the protected waters of the Salish Sea and discover the islands' abundant wildlife and spectacular beauty.

We are the longest operating whale/wildlife tour company in the islands. We aren’t the biggest, nor do we strive to be. As an owner operated company, we take pride in providing a quality tour with a personal touch.

Our tours generally run 3-4 hours on the Western Prince II and 2.5-3 hours on the Western Explorer. However, we have been known to extend a trip when something comes up that we just can't resist. Each tour is unique and each day is a new adventure. You never know what will turn up along the way.

Orca Whales are usually the primary focus and you can expect to see them on over 90% of our tours (a rate as high as any operator on the water) between May and September, and to a lesser degree in April and October. If someone is claiming a higher percentage then they are not talking about Orca Whales. We will also search for Dall's Porpoises, Harbor Seals, Bald Eagles, Steller Sea Lions, Harbor Porpoises, and many interesting Sea Birds. Occasionally, we are treated to the sight of Minke Whales, Gray Whales, and even Humpback Whales. Every tour is guided by an experienced Local Naturalist, with a 2nd Naturalist added on the Western Prince II when 15 or more guests are aboard. We interact directly with you to answer your questions and provide interesting and insightful information about the whales, wildlife and islands we encounter.

It is a truly amazing experience to view these wonderful animals in their natural environment. We hope you not only find our tours fun and exciting, but also enriching and enlightening. We always operate with the utmost respect for the wildlife we view and the environment we operate in and always follow current guidelines and regulations. We believe that the best way to ensure the long term survival of the wonderful whales and wildlife we encounter is through endearment and education.

Experience For Yourself....

Expected Whale & Wildlife Sightings By Month

H = High M = Medium L = Low	April	May	June	July	August	September	October
Orcas	M	H	H	H	H	H	M
Minke Whales	L	L	L	L	M	L	L
Humpbacks	L	L	L	L	L	M	M
Porpoises	H	H	H	M	M	H	H
Bald Eagles	H	H	H	H	H	M	H
Seals	H	H	H	H	H	H	H
Sea Lions	H	M	L	L	L	H	H
Sea Birds	H	H	H	H	H	H	M

What About Guaranteed Whales?

Guaranteed whales? Sounds like a nice idea. However, unless you are at an amusement park, the reality is that the whales are on their own schedule not ours. Remember that the magnificence of seeing an Orca Whale in the wild is unsurpassed, largely because they are still wild and can be unpredictable.

We have a deep respect for the whales and wildlife we encounter and strive to act accordingly when we are in their presence. Our tours encounter Orca whales on over 90% of trips May through September, which is as high an Orca sightings record as any company on the water. The truth is that all of the whale watching companies work together to find whales and share information with each other. It is very rare that one company will see Orcas and another will not. So, the main thing to think about is what type of experience you want to have with the boat and the crew. If Orcas are around we will know about it and we will take you to see them. And, if they are not, we will still have a worthwhile and wonderful trip.

Make an educated choice and join us!