Guaranteed
Whale watch Tours from Seattle Waterfront
4 – 5 Hours, November 2016 — March 2017
» Best Winter Whale Watching Opportunity

(Photo by Brooke McKinley)

(Photo by Anne Robinson)

(Photo by Connie Bickerton)

(Photo by Lee Leddy)

(Photo by Michael Colahan — www.picturepangea.com)

(Photo by Michael Colahan — www.picturepangea.com)

(Photo by Michael Colahan — www.picturepangea.com)

Walking Distance To:

• The Edgewater Hotel
• Marriott Seattle Waterfront Hotel
• Inn at the Market
• Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center
• Pike Place Market
• Seattle Aquarium
• The Great Wheel
• Pioneer Square
• Many Great Restaurants and Shops!

In the late fall and winter months, the Island Explorer heads south to run tours from Seattle. Our resident orca whales are regularly sighted in the Puget Sound region (as opposed to the San Juan Island region) between the months of November through March. They follow the Chum Salmon runs into Puget Sound and stay to feed on the juvenile Chinook Salmon throughout the winter. Also, winter is the typical season that orca calves are born! Island Adventures works with The Center for Whale Research and Cascadia Research Collective to help identify whales in the area and document new births throughout the year — 9 new babies were born between December 2014 and January 2016!!

In addition to resident orcas, our winter tours often see transient killer whales — these are the orcas that eat seals, sea lions, and porpoises. The transient population has also been increasing in recent years, so it is not uncommon to experience a PG13 rated whale-watching tour (when transients decide to eat it can, at times, become very graphic)!

We could also see humpbacks, gray whales, and the occasional minke whale through the winter as well. Our tours could take us as far north as Port Townsend or south past Tacoma; our captains are always looking for the best whale and wildlife viewing possibilities on every tour.

The views of the city are spectacular as we leave and return to Elliott Bay in search of sea life. We commonly encounter seals, sea lions, porpoises, and a large variety of sea birds along the way.

The Island Explorer is one of the most comfortable whale watch boats in Washington State. She has a large headed cabin and heaters on the upper deck, but remember to dress warm as this is still winter whale watching in Seattle. Guests will also enjoy the full walk around viewing decks, his/her restrooms, and onboard snack bar.

The Island Explorer

…Is the Best Wildlife Viewing Vessel in the Area!

An Island Adventures marine naturalist will be on every tour to point out wildlife throughout the day. We provide free binocular use while onboard and all guests will receive a 64 page colored wildlife viewing guide to take home.

Don’t forget your camera! Check out our photo contest and Flickr group. The winning shot every year wins a annual pass with Island Adventures that can be used from Anacortes, Everett, Port Angeles, or Seattle!