Choosing a Whale Watching Tour in the San Juan Islands

Choosing a whale watching tour company in the San Juan Islands can be a daunting task. With over 170 islands making up the group of islands off of the coast of Washington state in the Pacific Northwest, the number of whale watching companies located in the region is overwhelming. Close to 100 Orca whales make their year-round home in the San Juan Islands Refuge, making the area an ideal spot for a whale watching excursion. Use the helpful hints below to make choosing a whale watching tour easier.

San Juan Island and Orca Island, two of the four main islands within the San Juan Island Refuge, are the major ports for whale watching tour companies. There is plenty of lodging for tourists on both islands to make getting to the docks easier and hassle-free. By staying on the island that the tour departs from getting to and from the boat will be the least memorable part of the day.

The Orca whales who make their home in the San Juan Islands Refuge are most visible from early spring through early fall. Most whale watching tour companies offer expeditions from April through September, however, some offer tours beginning in late March and last until November. Although off-peak opportunities to whale watch are limited, they are available with some investigation into the companies available. Time of day that the excursions are run and the duration of each whale watching trip can usually be found on a company's Website.

Imagine jostling the crowd to get to the railing of the boat to see a pod of Orca or Killer whales as they breach the surface. Elbows fly and the experience of whale watching becomes more stressful than breathtaking. Whale watching from a small boat offers a highly different experience. Fewer passengers, direct contact and education from the captain, and the ability to get up close to the whales make small boats an ideal choice. Also remember during the decision making process that small boat tours can go farther out into the ocean to find whales, can maneuver easier among the islands and have greater speed than their large boat counterparts.

Each family or couple has certain non-negotiable things that they want to experience during their whale watching trip in the San Juan Islands. By doing some homework and asking for the opinions of local Bed & Breakfast or hotel owners, making the decision about which whale watching tour company to book an expedition with will be made easier. A whale watching trip can the be adventure of lifetime, so be sure to enjoy the chosen tour and take plenty of pictures.

Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com

About the Author

Find out more about whale watching in the San Juan Islands, the Pacific Northwest's premier whale watching location, visit Carli Whale Watch.

by: Bill Carli

Total views: 6 Word Count: 443 Date: Sun, 3 Jan 2010 Time: 4:05 AM - 0 comments

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