Ultimate Review: Island Adventures Whale Watching. Is it the Best?
Want to have the time of your life seeing whales? Then Island Adventures Whale Watching is the only tour you need!
As a Western Washington local, I can safely say that witnessing the ocean’s largest creatures with your own eyes is an experience you will never forget.
My dad remembers being out on a small fishing boat with a friend when, out of the blue, an orca whale breached (jumped out of the water) nearby! He heard the whale before he saw it…It’s powerful exhales, its gigantic splashes.
For my partner and I, our first couple of whale encounters were from the shore. My most precious memory is running along the beach following a pod of 8 orcas — only a few feet from the shore.
It’s not an overstatement to say seeing whales changes your life. And, chances are once you have, you’ll want to help your family and friends make their own marine life memories.
After many years of going for various WA whale watching tours, I’m thrilled to share my favorite pick with you: Island Adventures Whale Watching.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you purchase through my links (at no extra cost to you). Thanks for your support, and happy adventures!!
What is Island Adventures Whale Watching?
Based out of Anacortes, Island Adventures Whale Watching is a locally owned and operated tour company that has been making memories for nearly 30 years.
One of the most impressive facts about them is their high success rate: in 2023, they spotted whales 96.8% of the time.
Keeping in mind that whales in the Pacific Northwest are wild animals (meaning they are not tracked or contained in any way) that’s pretty great!
Personally, I’ve had the pleasure of sailing with them twice. Once in September, and once the following June because I had to introduce.. my parents! (My mom, who has also grown up and lived her entire life in the Evergreen State, had never seen whales until our tour with Island Adventures Whale Watching).
When to Plan Your Outing
Between February and November, Island Adventures Whale Watching offers a 4-5 hour wildlife tour daily. Although there isn’t really a bad time to go, my recommendation would be to aim for a summer weekday.
In case you’re eyeing the weather a few days out and would like to reschedule, it’s totally free to do so at least 24 hours out (for groups less than 10 people).
During April, there’s a unique opportunity to opt for a grey whale tour and see them feeding before continuing their migration between Mexico and Alaska.
Reasons This is the Best Whale Watching Tour in Washington State
1. Scenic + Convenient Location
While you can opt for tours closer to the urban center of Seattle, therefore cutting down the drive time, my preference is to be surrounded by the San Juan Islands.
While the path of travel varies day by day, the boat comes and goes from the Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes (which is itself on Fidalgo Island) and is close to Guemes Island. So, you’ll get beautiful island views no matter what.
{RELATED POST: First Timer’s Guide to Fidalgo Island}
Many of San Juan Islands are undeveloped, and it’s amazing to see tree-covered mountains. Adding to the mystery is the fact that besides Orcas, San Juan, Lopez, and Shaw they are accessible only by private boat (or plane).
Also, departing from Anacortes rather than San Juan Island or Orcas Island means that you can explore the same areas without taking a ferry. During summer, when whale watching tours are most popular (both in offerings and tourists), busy ferries require planning in-advance to secure reservations. Plus, you’ll save some money on the ferry fare!
2. Top-of-the-Line Boat
Honestly, it took going on tours with other companies in the Pacific Northwest for me to fully appreciate how nice Island Adventures Whale Watching’s boat is.
Known as the Island Explorer 5, this spacious sailing vessel has everything you need for a comfortable day out on the Salish Sea.
Layout of the Boat
- Floor 1: Indoor seating with tables (perfect for groups of 4), small cafe with food, drinks, & souvenirs, 2 generously sized bathrooms (by boat standards)
- Floor 2: Indoor seating (perfect for groups of 2), outdoor seating on the bow/front and stern/back, *the front is the largest outdoor space on the ship*
- Floor 3: Outdoor seating only. Don’t forget about this space as it is often less crowded than the other outdoor spaces
Bestie Tip: If you’re looking for the warmest spot on the outer decks, try the stern/back of the 2nd floor. It’s less windy!
On my last Island Adventures Whale Watching Tour, I learned that the fun fact that the boat was built locally in La Conner. I sure love the Skagit Valley!
3. Sustainability
If you follow me on Instagram, then you are also probably a fellow nature lover.
So, you likely know how important it is to vet Washington State whale watching tours on sustainability.
Unfortunately, boat noise negatively impacts whales. So, a few things to keep in mind are how much noise the propellers make and whether or not the captain cuts the engine when whales are nearby. In my experience with Island Adventures, both of these boxes are ticked. And, they’ve taken it a step further by ensuring their boat exceeds current emission standards.
In addition, there are laws and environmental recommendations that require boats to keep a respectful distance from whales. This is particularly significant because of the population struggles of our local resident popultion of orcas, dubbed the Southern Residents. Today, the total is only 74 whales.
{RELATED POST: Ultimate Guide to Deception Pass State Park}
4. Wildlife Conservation Education
During the tour, the on-board naturalist guides provide education around not just whales but also birds, seals, sea lions, and more.
You can ask questions to develop a better understanding of why the animals of the Salish Sea are so special.
This is pretty standard on WA whale watching tours. However, I noticed that the Island Adventures team put an extra emphasis on wildlife conservation.
For example, while viewing harbor seals hauled out on some rocks our naturalist reminded us that if we ever come across a baby seal on the beach shore then we should leave it be. Do not approach or touch it. This is because usually mom returns after gathering food. Check out more information on what to do if you see a seal pup.
What to Pack on Your Tour
- Books about marine life in the Pacific Northwest
- Binoculars and/or a Telephoto lens
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, & a sun hat (must have a chin strap, or it will fly away!)
- Clothing layers – especially a windbreaker **They say that on the boat temps may feel 10-20 degrees cooler on the water, especially when you factor in the wind from the boat moving**
- Closed-toe comfortable shoes like sneakers
- Lunch, reusable water bottle, & snacks
Bestie Tip: If you don’t want to feel worried about capturing the epic wildlife sightings, you can purchase a flash drive at the end of the tour with photos taken professionally by the Island Adventures team!
Insider Tip to Save Money
Speaking from personal experience, the ideal time to start planning your excursion is between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Don’t worry, you don’t need to select dates yet.
This is because gift certificates are discounted during this time. So, you can purchase gift certificates in the winter (or perhaps add it to your Christmas list!) and then save them to redeem for tickets in the spring or summer.
Once you’ve placed an order for gift certificates, you’ll receive an email with the code that you’ll need to redeem. Later, when you’re ready to book, go ahead and call their office to make your reservation.
How to Prepare for Island Adventure Whale Watching
As your trip draws near, I find that it’s fun to see what wildlife recent tours have seen. This is totally optional, but if you’re curious you can browse the Whale Report. Basically, it’s an online journal with recaps and photos from tours.
Of course, it’s wise to keep an eye on the weather starting about a week out. Please note that it’s helpful to bring a warm, wind breaking, waterproof jacket even on sunny summer days! To be fully prepared, I recommend packing a backpack with gloves, a beanie, sun protection, and a portable charger.
Once the day has finally arrived, I recommend arriving 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time. This way, you won’t have any hassle finding parking and you can be at the front of the line to select your indoor seats.
Feel free to line up directly next to the boat (it’s the big white one that says OrcaWhales.com on the side). In other words, it is okay to walk down the ramp!
At low tide, be sure to look for crabs and starfish on the rocks around the marina. And, keep an eye out for harbor seals and bald eagles. Who knows what you can see before the tour even gets started!
Where is Island Adventures Whale Watching located?
The boat is docked at the Cap Sante Marina A Dock, located at 712 Seafarer’s Way, Anacortes, WA 98221.
There is free parking available on the street (diagonal spots) and gravel lot across the street. Make sure you’re in a spot that doesn’t have a time limit or is reserved for marina members.
This post was all about Island Adventure Whale Watching.