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All 55 San Juan Islands Attractions »

San Juan Safaris

2 Spring Street Landing, Just Steps from the Ferry, WA 98250
800-450-6858
Website
Transient Orca Whale & MV Sea Lion
Orkas at play!
Breach
Seldom seen Minke Whale off San Juan Island
43 visitor photos
Ranked #19 of 26 tours in San Juan Islands
4.5 of 5 stars 49 Reviews
Type: Tours
Owner description: Pictured here is one of the Southern Resident Killer Whales in a full breach. This photo was taken by a guest from the whale watching boat also...... more » Owner description: Pictured here is one of the Southern Resident Killer Whales in a full breach. This photo was taken by a guest from the whale watching boat also pictured, The Sea Lion. MV Sea Lion is a fast, new, comfortable, 55 foot X 16 foot vessel, with a walk around deck and large windowed interior cabin. New and fast, make this boat is the best choice in the San Juan Islands. Sea Lion was built in Washington specifically for whale watching & wildlife viewing.San Juan Safaris specializes in class-room size tours with 40 or fewer guests aboard. There is always plenty of space at the rails. Guests love the free use of high quality binoculars and wildlife library. Hearing the whales on the professional hydrophone is an unforgettable experience.Two well informed and friendly naturalists interact with guests offering educational chats about the whales, other marine mammals, the Eco-system, what part salmon play in this equation and amusing anecdotes. This company has an excellent reputation and is known for respectful wildlife viewing. The owners have been active in the Pacific Whale Watch Association as board members, VP and President as well as a board member of People for Puget Sound.No company sees whales more that San Juan Safaris. Their sightings are 90%+. Whale watching season in the San Juan Islands is Mid April to the first part of October. Do not miss this tour. « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children
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49 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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Date Rating
Laredo, Texas
1 review
“No whales....boat not supplied with enough raincoats...poor staff”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed May 25, 2012 NEW

We came to see whales all the way from Texas.Even though the weather was not great we were determined to experience the thrill of whale watching.Unfortunately, we did not get to see any whales.I understand that nature is in full control of this and in no way do we blame the Captain or his crewt.I must say that the captain... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Los Angeles, California, United States
1 review
“Bad luck with whales on May!”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 5, 2012

We enjoyed the tour, we saw a few bald eagles and other marine life BUT no whales!! I was frustrated, a whale watch tour without whales? :"( On the other hand, team was great. I really wanted to see the whales, we drove from California just to see them :( More

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chicadeedee, Owner at San Juan Safaris, responded to this review
May 8, 2012

We are always glad when guests appreciate the efforts of the crew. The naturalists and captains are hand-picked from 100's - not just knowledge, but people skills. A wise man once said "There are no guarantees in life" and this rings especially true with wild life - especially whales. Seeing the animals, swimming freely in their habitat is the kind... More

Wheeling, West Virginia
1 review
“Whale watching at its BEST !”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 18, 2012

As whale watching season approaches in the Pacific Northwest I am finally doing what I meant to do last fall...write this review of a fabulous experience that we had. My husband and I went on an excursion with San Juan Safaris in the month of September with bright sunshine guiding us out into the deep waters. We felt extremely safe... More

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chicadeedee, Owner at San Juan Safaris, responded to this review
March 21, 2012

Dear Debby K - many thanks for posting about your experience with San Juan Safaris. As stewards of the 'resource' our goal is certainly to educate our guests about the endangered orcas and all the other wildlife in our area. It is all connected. So glad you 'got that' about us. Over and out. More

Everett, Washington
1 review
“Awesome Time!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 11, 2011

My friend and I had a great time. Staff was super nice and knowledgeable. Their clean and fast boat got us to the whales quickly so that we'd have more time whale watching. And lots of Orcas!! Couldn't have asked for more:) More

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Seattle, Washington
1 review
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Snobby Staff”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed September 6, 2011
3
people found this review helpful

We didn't see any whales on our trip either. We understand that isn't the fault of the staff, but based on nature. What was odd to me was how rude the staff was. I asked one of the women ("Naturist") on board if she felt we were going to see any whales and her response was "That's your job". I... More

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chicadeedee, Owner at San Juan Safaris, responded to this review
September 9, 2011

We try our best to make certain that all of our guests have a good time and learn something. We encourage anyone reading this to look at our other Trip Advisor reviews. More

Central NC
1 review
“We had a WHALE of a GREAT time!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed August 29, 2011

Tried San Juan Safaris at the advice of the great reviews here on TripAdvisor, they we so on the spot! We experienced a professional, knowledgable crew that also were slot of fun to be around. I think the cleanness of the boat, the relaxed atmosphere & the overall "easyness" of booking with San Juan Safaris led me to ADD to... More

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Denver, Colorado
1 review
“Perfect Day”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed August 23, 2011

I can't say enough good things about this tour. This was my third time seeing the resident orcas of the San Juan Island waters, but my first time from a boat. We were blessed with a sparkling sunny day, and after seeing groups of harbor seals and Stellar sea lions, we spotted our first orca about an hour and a... More

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1 review
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Never do this again with these prop/e”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed August 14, 2011
4
people found this review helpful

While waiting for our tour boat which was late...... according to the lady selling tickets... The boat was late because "there seeing whales.. not sure what kind though"...which we found out later they did not see any either.... After our boat arrived late about 30 mins we were off to see whales... Well 3 hours no whales... Oh we stoped... More

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chicadeedee, Owner at San Juan Safaris, responded to this review
August 24, 2011

Everyone here at San Juan Safaris is disappointed to hear that this guest was unhappy with his experience on our tour on the evening of August 11. As with most things in life, there are 2 sides to every story. This is a narrative of the events from our perspective. On that day, there were no reports of Orca/Killer whale... More

Oklahoma
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Great time!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed August 5, 2011
1
person found this review helpful

My wife and I went on a sunset tour a few days ago and had a great time. The staff on board were professional and helpful, and the ship was very nice. We ended up seeing all sorts of wildlife (bald eagle, minke whale, orca whales, large sea lions, seals, etc.). Make sure you are ready for cool weather if... More

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Seattle, Washington
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Excellent tour and amazing wildlife!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed July 29, 2011
1
person found this review helpful

We saw everything from Bald Eagles and seals to harbor porpoises and 2 of the resident Orca pods! The boat was very comfortable and the wildlife guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. I would do this again. It was great! More

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chicadeedee, Owner at San Juan Safaris, responded to this review
August 1, 2011

Thank you for taking the time to write about your experience with us. The crew loves reading that they helped to make the tour memorable. More

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