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All 21 Friday Harbor Attractions »

Western Prince Whale Watching, San Juan Island

1 Spring St, Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA 98250
360-378-5315
Ranked #1 of 12 tours in Friday Harbor
5.0 of 5 stars 207 Reviews
Type: Tours
Owner description: Just 90 miles north of Seattle, Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours from Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington. Owner Operated, Experienced Local...... more » Owner description: Just 90 miles north of Seattle, Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours from Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington. Owner Operated, Experienced Local Naturalist Guides, Small Groups, Two Great Boats. Choose from the fast and comfortable 46' Western Prince II (limited to 32 passengers or less, with seating for 41) or, for the more adventurous, the Expedition Style 27' Western Explorer (limited to 15 passengers or less). « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children
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207 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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Date Rating
Bluepacifica
Friday Harbor, WA
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews
2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 9, 2011
2
people found this review helpful

This is my go-to company for whale watch tours. I took three this summer with company and family. It helps to get an islander's discount plus a discount for prepaying 2 weeks in advance when you take 3 tours in one season! This is probably the best run company. The captains are excellent, the staff in the office is superior,... More

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DaleLloyd
Post Falls, Idaho, United States
1 review
2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed October 13, 2011
2
people found this review helpful

On same trip with earlier reviewer BlueHughes. Yes, over and above natualists/captain! I wish JB would post his photo of Mt Baker breach sent to all on trip. Awsome! Saw over 40 of the 80+ Orcas in the area, Dall's porpoises bow-riding us, eagles, and all those amazing whales! And the great vocalizations we got to hear as well! IAll... More

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Linda W
Brighton, Michigan
2 reviews
4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed October 12, 2011
3
people found this review helpful

Our family of four adults were privileged to join two of the Western Prince Whale Watching tours...one on October 9 and one on October 11, 2011. We ventured out on the zodiac on our first trip. The weather was spectacular but chilly out on the water. We wore several layers of clothing and the company provided us with cozy flotation... More

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Carrie M
Valencia, California
1 review
1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed October 11, 2011
1
person found this review helpful

We chose this whale watching company based on their Trip Advisor rating and reviews. It turns out that this company is awesome! The guides, Alison and JB were very friendly and knowledgable and the captain and owner, Ivan, was outstanding! We were lucky enough to see what is called a "superpod" of orcas! They were everywhere, which is unusual for... More

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Buti
Seattle, Washington
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews
8 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed October 8, 2011
1
person found this review helpful

We went there with our family and booked tickets for 8 people: 6 adults, one 7 year old and one 22 months old. As soon as we got in the boat one of the ladies came and gave us two life jackets, one for each child. My 22 months old did not want to wear it and she told me... More

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Lauren H
West Hollywood, California
1 review
2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed October 4, 2011
2
people found this review helpful

Went out on the noon boat this past Sunday (10/2). Saw about a half dozen whales out and about hunting for over an hour. Great trip. Something I've wanted to do my entire life and I wasn't disappointed. I have to admit, I was nervous planning a trip all the way from Los Angeles to see whales that may or... More

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dsj5777
Wisconsin
Top Contributor
74 reviews
28 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed October 2, 2011
1
person found this review helpful

Excellent experience on the Western Prince II - our 2 naturalists and Capt Pete were engaging, informative, and fun. It didn't hurt that the whales (probably saw 20 different - including 2 that went under our boat - wow!!!), dolphins, seals, sea lions, and a bald eagle all joined in on a sunny late September afternoon. More

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Robert S
Fredericksburg, Virginia
2 reviews
3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 26, 2011
2
people found this review helpful

The tour before us did not see any orcas. Our captain took a chance to catch up to two pods on the outer range of our tour area. We hit the jackpot and saw about a dozen orcas. They approached us so close we had to turn off the engines. The naturalists were friendly and informative. It was a memorable... More

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BlueHughes
Honolulu
Reviewer
4 reviews
1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 25, 2011
1
person found this review helpful

We had such a great time on this Orca tour with the great captain and naturalists on board. The weather was incredible and we saw many, many pods of transient and local orcas and had an incredible time with the other guests and staff. Not everyone is going to have this experience, but for us it was absolute perfection. John... More

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Avi_4321
Jerusalem
Contributor
15 reviews
15 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed September 25, 2011

We took the tour right after Labor Day. It's true that the owners do not guarantee 100% whale encounters, but only 90%. Apparently, we fell in the 10%. However, they told us that visitors one day before didn't see whales as well. So I'm not so sure about the 90%. What did we see? Sea lions, some dolphins here and... More

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