Top San Juan Islands Water Tours

Get up close with the orca whales off the San Juan Islands near Seattle on this 4-hour whale-watching cruise. San Juan Island is where the southern resident killer whales live about six months out of the year, from mid-April to October. It’s also considered the best place to view orca whales.

Kayak in prime whale and wildlife habitat along the Haro Strait, bordering the west side of San Juan Island and Vancouver Island. Traverse the waters of migrating salmon and keep your eyes peeled for eagles, seals, porpoises, and other wildlife that follow our keystone species of the Pacific Northwest as you look out on the Olympic Mountains and explore the driftwood beaches of Limekiln State Park.

See Whidbey Island in Washington from a fresh perspective with a small-group kayaking tour in Deception Pass State Park. Meet your guide at a departure point and climb into a sea kayak to explore the calm waters of Bowman Bay. Learn the basics of paddling and admire views of wildlife, Fidalgo Island, and more. All gear including life jackets is provided.

Explore Washington state’s San Juan Islands Monument on this sea kayak tour starting in Anacortes. Join a small group to paddle past the stunning scenery of uninhabited islands including Burrows Island. There is also an opportunity to spot local wildlife such as harbor seals, porpoises, several fish species, and sometimes even orcas.

Although just one mile south of Friday Harbor, Griffin Bay is a world away from it all! This trip offers peace and quiet and superb views of glacier-covered Mt. Baker and the Olympic Mountain range. Unhindered by strong tidal currents, it is an ideal trip for families and anyone wanting to experience sea kayaking. We will explore picturesque Dinner Island and it’s colony of chubby resident harbor seals, then turn south toward quiet coves. You may see bald eagles, Dall’s or Harbor porpoise, river otters, mink and oodles of migratory sea birds like scoters, harlequin ducks, loons and mergansers along with our local herons, cormorants, gulls and kingfishers! This trip moves at an easy pace and offers a chance to get away from the crowds. Forged in 1980 from leave-no-trace ethics and a commitment to excellence, San Juan Kayak Expeditions provides fun knowledgeable guides, top of the line equipment, including fiberglass kayaks & carbon fiber paddles, and personalized customer service.

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.

Get up close with the killer whales of Anacortes, the home port to the San Juan Islands, on this guided, 3-hour whale-watching cruise. 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.

Cypress Island is unique among the hundreds of amazing islands here in the San Juan archipelago. It is one of the crown-jewels of the San Juan Islands National Monument. Over 90% of this large island has been set aside as a Conservation Area and a Natural Area Preserve. Due to the protected status, there is an abundance of wildlife surrounding the island. Miles of trails are available to explore, some leading to stunning overlooks and others lead to private coves with pebble beaches. Few commercial companies venture to Cypress Island due to the challenges of where they operate from. Anacortes Kayak Tours is perfectly situated to enable them to escort a lucky few people to the "last best place" in the San Juan Islands. No ferry hassles are necessary to join this trip. You can drive right to us on Fidalgo Island due to bridges that connect us to the mainland. Make the most of your valuable time and join us!

Welcome Aboard the High Seas! We are currently offering two departures daily (12:00 PM & 3:00 PM). This is a 2-hour cruise. Guests will relax in comfort and safety aboard a beautifully restored 1935 John Alden motor yacht once owned by Hollywood royalty. Our cruise will last approximately two hours from departure to return. Along our route we will pass Orcas Island, Shaw Island, Crane Island and Pole Pass. Throughout the cruise the Captain will be explaining the tales and lore behind many of these unique and culturally historic areas. You are welcome to sit back, relax and marvel in the majestic tranquility of the San Juan waterways. This is very unique way to experience the beauty of the Pacific Northwest Islands. A truly memorable experience, and with any luck we may spot orcas, humpbacks, minkes and occasionally even gray whales. So, bring your camera and enjoy your trip! This is a shared cruise and guest seating is limited to 6 passengers total. Orcas Island Historic Yacht Charters