They are magnificent animals, even personable, and the Puget Sound Express naturalists know many of them by name. Book online now! The K Pod is the smallest of the Southern Residents, with 18 members, and the L Pod is the largest, with 35 members. Sadly, we did not see a humpback whale on our trip. Guaranteed Whale Watching Tours. Visit our privacy policy to read more. This photo was taken by our captain on August 6th. The Glacier Spirit at the dock the morning of our tour. Gray whales are best seen between March and May, as they make their way to their summer feeding grounds. Whale watching. I forgot my polarizing filter, but if you have one, I’d recommend it. Whale Safari. Visitors can expect to start seeing everything from tufted puffins, California sea lions, humpback and minke whales, and, of course, orcas about 90 minutes into the journey. Shutterstock Types of whales in the Puget Sound. Since you’re on a whale of an adventure, I’d definitely recommend the Whale Museum, which provides tons of cool information about the Salish Sea whales, and particularly the Southern Resident Orcas. Stroll through the historic district and witness the local population of whales from the Port of Friday Harbor. Explore Sequim’s lavender fields – AND see whales! What an amazing experience! We chose Market Chef on A Street, which features local seafood, fresh vegetables, and outdoor seating. U.S. Dept. There are two types of porpoises found in the Salish Sea. Transient Orcas are seen throughout the Puget Sound and Salish Sea, mainly during the summer months. More than 20,000 gray whales migrate along the west coast each year. There are 22 members in the J Pod, which has been featured extensively in the news as of late. Posted on Published: September 25, 2018 By: Author Tara Schatz, Categories Destinations, Get Outside, Pacific Northwest United States, photography, United States, Western United States. SEATTLE -- Grab your camera, gray whale watching season has officially arrived around Puget Sound.These gray whales - referred to as Sounders - were spotted swimming around North Puget Sound … When making your reservation, you’ll have the option of preordering gourmet box lunches from The Courtyard Cafe in Port Townsend (ham sandwich, turkey, or caprese). Also, please note that this post may contain links from which we earn a small commission. This is Mike (J26), a Southern Resident Orca that we saw on our trip. Commer., NOAA Tech. on the blog, but you should also check out, for lots of info for dining, lodging, and events, and, Lake Shaftsbury State Park in all Four Seasons. They have made a dramatic comeback to the Salish Sea in recent years, and are now seen in larger numbers. 40% off (3 months ago) (5 days ago) Puget Sound Express Coupon Code December 2020 Find the best promotion at the lowest prices with our Island Adventures Whale Watching promo codes and discounts. Occasionally, they came close to the boat, and they even breached a few times. In the fall, depending on bookings, we may use our 61-seat foilcat Chilkat Express. There is a huge variety of marine life in the Puget Sound and Salish Sea, but the most exciting encounters are with orca and humpback whales. Docked along the shores of Port Townsend is the Puget Sound Express, a four-hour whale-watching tour. These are relative newcomers to the Salish Sea and were first sighted by the Puget Sound Express in 2015. See Victorian Port Townsend. Port Townsend 4-Hour Whale Watching Tour | Puget Sound Express Wendy, the first mate of the Glacier Spirit, took drink orders and suggested we try the famous blueberry buckle, which is made fresh daily. Day-long whale watching tours from Seattle, around Whidbey Island, to the iconic San Juan Islands. Sail through breathtaking Deception Pass, and travel through the protected waters of the Salish Sea, while trained naturalists educate passengers about the remarkable ecosystem and its wildlife with a focus on whale and sealife conservation. The whale watching boats work collaboratively to locate whales for viewing. Since you’re on a whale of an adventure, I’d definitely recommend, Seasickness medicine – I don’t always get seasick, but when I do, it’s brutal. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. 12pm departures. The Dall’s porpoise are high-speed swimmers who love to wake ride near boats. United States Washington. While we do not guarantee whale sightings on our tours, 20 years of sightings data shows that we do have a 90% chance of seeing whales during the peak months of June – September. Because the salmon numbers are dwindling in the Salish Sea, the Southern Resident Orcas are listed as endangered by the U.S. We found it very useful. We loved that the two-person crew on the Glacier Spirit were both so knowledgable about the local whales and wildlife. They are frequently seen on Whale Island near the San Juans in large numbers. Humpbacks, minkes, and of course the famous orcas! They are often mistaken for baby orcas because of their coloring and markings and are only found in the North Pacific and adjacent seas. Children under the age of 2 can travel for free; however, if the boat is full that day, your child will be required to sit on your lap. Many stop off in Washington’s inland waters on their way north. With up to five whale species, along with dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions, it is not hard to see why. Please don't travel until it's safe to do so, and be sure to check with each state/destination for its current COVID-19 guidelines before planning a visit. We spent about an hour with these Southern Resident Orcas before moving on toward Friday Harbor. We meandered along, keeping a close watch on the surrounding waters. ​​Each Southern Resident pod uses a characteristic dialect of calls (sounds) to communicate. The boat seats 70 people and features comfortable indoor seating with huge windows for viewing wildlife. to make your reservations. We’d love to hear about your trip in the comments below. The trip took about two hours, and we didn’t see any more whales. If you don’t see whales on your trip, we will give you a voucher for another trip on us. We also often see Transient Orcas – these are the mammal-eating killer whales that put on quite a show! April 30 – Sept 26, 2021 Puget Sound Express whale watching tours run until the end of October leaving from Port Townsend, and year-round from their Edmonds location. Three generations of our family have helped visitors spend time with orcas, humpbacks, grays, and minke whales – that experience and dedication makes it possible for us to guarantee that you’ll see whales on this trip – or we’ll give you another trip absolutely free. Visit the Olympic National Park. Because the Salish Sea is is a frigid 49 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, sea lions must haul out of the water to warm up in the sun. 10am departures 30 minutes prior to departure, check in at the PSE Office in Port Townsend. A few days ahead of time is usually sufficient, but if you are visiting in high summer, you may want to reserve a spot several weeks in advance. Puget Sound Whale Watching Coupons - My Best Coupon Codes. Fin whales are the second-largest baleen whale, ranging in length from 60 to 65 feet and weighing up to 50 tons. The Whale Museum is open daily from 9-6, and costs $9 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $4 for students. Are you traveling with an infant? The Puget Sound Express Whale Watching tours leaving from Port Townsend are offered twice daily in the summer months. Before long, we spotted a huge dorsal fin (like six-feet tall) coming out of the water. There are two types of porpoises found in the Salish Sea. - See 1,998 traveler reviews, 552 candid photos, and great deals for Port Townsend, WA, at Tripadvisor. The area is famous for attracting a huge variety of sea mammals, including transient and resident orcas, humpbacks, gray whales, minke whales, porpoises, sea lions, and seals. I have gone on a Puget Sound whale watching tour every summer for the last seven years or so and love these trips. By heading out to the water and looking for them, we find ourselves having a deeper connection with the region we call home, forging memories that will last our entire lives. There are lots of restaurants to choose from in Friday Harbor, and there’s a full binder of menus on the Puget Sound Express boat so you can figure out where you want to go before your port of call. We head out towards the San Juan Islands, or to wherever the whales are on the Red Head, our comfortable and fast, 40-seat tour boat. lens the most. With cold water and plenty of prey like salmon to feed on, Puget Sound is the go-to place for whale watching, meaning Seattleites don’t have to travel far to get a glimpse of these majestic mammals that call the sound their home. We departed Port Townsend on a brisk September morning with just 15 people aboard the Glacier Spirit. Symbolizing wildness and awe, whale watching today helps connect us with the days of Puget Sound past. Whales and Other Marine Mammals of Washington and Oregon. Explore Friday Harbor’s diverse topography, from pebbly beaches to magnificent mountains and lush valleys. Sea Lions do not migrate but will follow food sources from place to place. Our 4-hour whale watching cruise departs Port Townsend both in the morning (10am) and in the afternoon (2:30pm). Ready to plan your own Port Townsend whale watching trip? She carried the calf’s body around for 17 days and over 1,000 miles. 40% off (13 days ago) Whale Watching Seattle Coupons - mybestcouponcodes.com. Although two hours isn’t really enough to explore the town thoroughly, you will have time for lunch and a little meandering. Here’s some video footage of a superpod filmed by Puget Sound Express on 9/13/2018. It’s hard to beat a day on the water with a camera and interesting wildlife that includes birds, sea lions, dolphins and of course whales.  Along with viewing whales, we often find bald eagles, harbor seals, California and Steller sea lions, tufted puffins and many other species of marine life. Just like in our full day tour, there is a trained marine naturalist guiding you through the many sites along the way, and if the whales are “talking,” you’ll be able to hear them with our hydrophone. Orca watching in the Salish Sea has been on my bucket list for my whole life, and since I recently visited Port Townsend for my son’s graduation, I jumped at the chance to embark on a Puget Sound whale watching tour with Puget Sound Express. There are plenty of whale watching tours in the Salish Sea, but only one that leaves from Port Townsend. This trip features indoor seating for everyone, a wrap-around outside viewing deck, as well as a snack bar and restroom. You also have the option of purchasing a child’s rate ticket to ensure seating for your infant. The harbor porpoise is the smallest cetacean found in the Pacific Northwest. Don’t miss a PSE exclusive – Sherri’s famous blueberry buckle – made fresh daily and available in our galley. Yet another great week of whale watching! Unlike transient killer whales, the Southern Residents eat mostly salmon, and each pod uses a unique dialect of calls that are not used by other orca communities. Just this month, the J Pod experienced another tragedy when Scarlett (J50) went missing after months of declining health. Right out the office front door, we board the comfy 40-seat Red Head. California sea lions inhabit coastal waters from Mexico to Vancouver Island and are often seen on rocky shores and ocean buoys. The calls used by the Southern Resident community are unlike the calls used by any other community of killer whales. Port Townsend Express is the only company on the Olympic Peninsula that offers a day-long tour that combines whale watching in the Salish Sea with a port of call on San Juan Island. United States Seattle. The Southern Resident orcas are actually a large extended family, or clan, comprised of three pods: J, K, and L pods.Within each pod, families form into sub-pods centered around older females, usually grandmothers or great-grandmothers. An orca swims next to a sailboat in Friday Harbor. Usually, about ninety minutes into the cruise, we are able to see whales. Both male and female offspring remain in close association with their mothers for life. Harbor porpoises eat many varieties of schooling fish. Because or trip wasn’t at all crowded, Rowan and I had a booth to ourselves. Canadian Islands, the outer coast, and even down to California!. In addition to the whales that inhabit the Puget Sound and the Salish Sea, you will likely see a fair number of seals and sea lions. They spend between eight and ten hours on land each day. Transient orcas, humpbacks, minke, and fin whales are found in the Salish Sea from May to October. In fact, a few of the passengers napped in their booths, others chatted and drank coffee, and only a few hung out on the deck, as it was getting chilly. They travel in groups of between two and six individuals, but their family bonds aren’t as tight as those of the resident pods. This was J26, otherwise known as Mike. The Puget Sound whale watching season runs from April through the end of September. | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. About two hours into the trip, our captain spotted a few distant orcas off the west coast of San Juan Island. Puget Sound Express: Humpback whale watching, guided - See 1,998 traveler reviews, 552 candid photos, and great deals for Port Townsend, WA, at Tripadvisor. with us. Guarantee is not valid for a specific whale species, or cash back. Occasionally, all three pods get together for a greeting ceremony known as a superpod. 40% off (4 days ago) Whale Watching Seattle Coupons - mybestcouponcodes.com. Minke whales are elusive and small — the smallest of the baleen whales. Boarding closes 15 minutes before departure. They feed in polar waters in the summer, migrating to equatorial areas to breed and give birth. A whale of a time: Orca-watching tours now available in south Puget Sound AMY POFFENBARGER , SPECIAL TO THE POST-INTELLIGENCER Nov. 14, 2001 Updated: March 21, 2011 10:33 a.m. Bald eagles are common in the area and the adorable tufted puffin breeds in large colonies on the Puget Sound. The San Juan Islands, Salish Sea, and Puget Sound is one of the World’s best whale-watching destinations, with more than 500,000 people visiting every year. Harbor seals and northern elephant seals both live in Puget Sound and the Salish Sea. Child (2-10): $65 We will head out in search of Orca, Humpback, Minke, and Grey whales. On the journey from Port Townsend to the San Juan Islands, we spotted a few tufted puffins, some California and Steller sea lions, and lots of sea birds that I couldn’t identify. Due to stringent departure requirements, late arrivals will be cancelled with no refunds. additional 2:30 departures Minke whales are often seen around the San Juan Islands.

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