San Juan Island Land-Based Whale Watching Guide

San Juan Island, Washington, USA

Welcome to the San Juan Island Land-Based Whale Watching Guide!

This Island is my happy place and it is one of the largest Orca hotspots in the Salish Sea.

You can navigate the locations of this guide by scrolling or manually maneuvering the map to click on individual spots to learn more about them.

Tools:

 Whale Sightings in the San Juan Islands Facebook Group : Once you join this group, keep a close eye when you are around the area for any new sightings or updates on where the whales might be heading.

 Limekiln Hydrophone : There is an underwater microphone at this site, which if you listen closely, you may be able to hear the whales before you see them.

 Livestream : The Whale Museum has a camera set up at this site that you can check periodically to see whether there is any whale action nearby.

Travel Tips and Attractions

 Anacortes to Friday Harbor Ferry : Because this park is on an island, you will need to take a ferry to get there, and it would be advantageous to bring your car with you to drive to the park once on the island. Be sure to  BOOK A FERRY IN ADVANCE  if you plan on driving, and be there on time to ensure your spot.

Maps: Whilst on the ferry, check for brochures with maps of San Juan Island as data can be unreliable in various places on the island, but there are only a few roads, so you should be able to figure out your route analog if necessary.

 The Whale Museum : In the heart of Friday Harbor, there is a museum dedicated to the Orca populations of the Salish Sea that you should DEFINITELY stop at while on the island. They may even have some inside information about Orcas around the area.

Local Tour Recommendation

 Outer Island Excursions : Based in Puget Sound, Outer Island Excursions offers some of the most unique whale-watching experiences in the PNW. Their dedication to safety and adventure ensures every trip is unforgettable. Book with code: theorcaman for 10% OFF If you want to come on a tour with me - join the  Orcas-only Anacortes Tour  on June 28th or July 21st!

If you can't make those  join the waiting list  for other upcoming tours!

Be sure to follow the  Be Whale Wise Guidelines  on your adventure.

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1. Limekiln State Park, SJI

 Address : 1567 West Side Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, United States

This is my happy place. Along the West side of San Juan Island, this lookout is famous amongst whale enthusiasts as it is by an Orca highway where whales have been known to swim less than 10 feet from shore.

Be sure to follow the  Be Whale Wise Guidelines 

Go here when:

  • You hear Orcas on the  Limekiln Hydrophone 
  • Orcas are going South on the West side from Roche Harbor
  • Orcas are going North up the West side from Landbank
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2. San Juan County Park, SJI

 Address : 15 San Juan Park Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, United States

This park is an excellent spot to hang out and watch for whales. Great for a picnic, but not to stay much longer.

Be sure to follow the  Be Whale Wise Guidelines 

Go here when:

  • You hear Orcas on the  Limekiln Hydrophone 
  • Orcas are going South from Roche Harbor
  • Orcas are going North up the West side from Landbank or Limekiln
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3. Westside Preserve (Land Bank), SJI

 Address : 782 West Side Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, USA

This spot is GORGEOUS when it is nice out and gives a great berth of land to see whales going by.

Travel Tip: When arriving at this location - there will be a car pull-out spot on the side of the ocean. Park there and walk down the trails to get closer to the water.

Be sure to follow the  Be Whale Wise Guidelines 

Go here when:

  • You hear Orcas on the  Limekiln Hydrophone 
  • Orcas are going South from Limekiln or San Juan County Park
  • Orcas are going North up the West side from Cattle Point
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4. Cattle Point, SJI

 Address : Cattle Point Light, 5468-6432 Cattle Point Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, United States

This point is a delightful spot on the southernmost tip of the Island. The drive out here is particularly beautiful, with opportunities for sightings. From here, you also have a good shot at seeing some other sea life, like seals.

Be sure to follow the  Be Whale Wise Guidelines 

Go here when:

  • Orcas are going South from Friday Harbor
  • Orcas are going South East from Landbank
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5. Reuben Tarte Park, SJI

 Address : Ruben, Rueben Tarte Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, United States

Great for a picnic, this spot is a little trickier to spot than most. Keep an eye out for a road that veers down, and when you arrive, you are okay to go down the road to the park itself; there is minimal parking, though.

Be sure to follow the  Be Whale Wise Guidelines 

Go here when:

  • Orcas are going North from Friday Harbor
  • Orcas are going East from Roche Harbor