The Whale Museum
The Whale Museum, Friday Harbor: Hours, Address, The Whale Museum Reviews: 4.5/5
The Whale Museum
The Whale Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Thank you for your interest in learning about The Whale Museum. The Whale Museum is completely reopened! We are open 10:00 am - 4:00 pm every day. Thank you for your support. https://whalemuseum.org/
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
Features animals
Learn more about animal welfare in tourismSuggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingFull view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
54 within 3 miles
The Market Chef
290
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe
Mike's Cafe and Wine Bar
268
442 ft$$ - $$$ • Wine Bar • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Kings Market
189
462 ft$$ - $$$ • Specialty Food Market • American • Gluten Free Options
Rocky Bay Cafe
672
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Downriggers
469
447 ft$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Cask and Schooner Public House & Restaurant
1,286
441 ft$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood
Friday Harbor House Restaurant
347
144 ft$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • International
San Juan Island Brewing Company
160
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Brew Pub • Bar
Coho Restaurant
419
0.2 mi$$$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Vegetarian Friendly
Vinny's Ristorante
444
207 ft$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Attractions
31 within 6 miles
Arctic Raven Gallery
39
0.1 miArt Galleries
City of Friday Harbor
18
318 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Piers & Boardwalks
Palace Theater
7
0.1 miTheaters
Island Studios
50
0.1 miArt Galleries
San Juan Island Farmers Market
32
0.1 miFarmers Markets
Harbor Song Art gallery
7
0.1 miArt Galleries
Port of Friday Harbour Marina
12
0.1 miPiers & Boardwalks • Scenic Walking Areas
English Camp
453
0.4 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
American Camp
184
0.4 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
IMA - San Juan Islands Museum of Art
48
0.3 miArt Museums
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
770 reviews
Excellent
417
Very good
253
Average
90
Poor
8
Terrible
2
Galeda
Kansas City, MO321 contributions
My friends and I were visiting Friday Harbor, and on the top of our list was The Whale Museum. We are very interested in marine mammal conservation and heard about the mission of the Museum: not only to curate and display artifacts related to whales in the Salish Sea area, but also education and research to promote the growth and sustainability of the ecosystem.
The Museum itself is in a lovely historic building in downtown Friday Harbor; it covers two floors and can easily be toured within 90 minutes to 2 hours. There’s a swell little gift shop on the ground floor, and you’ll have the opportunity to Adopt an Orca–how cool!
Special thanks to Casey in the gift shop/admission area; we spoke with her when we arrived about our love of whales and desire to do some whale-watching while we were on San Juan Island. As we finished our tour of the museum, she found us and let us know that there was a group of orcas sighted off Lime Kiln Point, and we were able to dash across the island and catch several sightings of the last three members of the group! It was a great start to our whale-watching adventures! We really appreciate Casey taking the time and effort to find us and let us know the whales were there. It made our day!
We’re so grateful for the work of the Whale Museum and will spread the word: The Museum is the best first stop for any visit to the islands!
The Museum itself is in a lovely historic building in downtown Friday Harbor; it covers two floors and can easily be toured within 90 minutes to 2 hours. There’s a swell little gift shop on the ground floor, and you’ll have the opportunity to Adopt an Orca–how cool!
Special thanks to Casey in the gift shop/admission area; we spoke with her when we arrived about our love of whales and desire to do some whale-watching while we were on San Juan Island. As we finished our tour of the museum, she found us and let us know that there was a group of orcas sighted off Lime Kiln Point, and we were able to dash across the island and catch several sightings of the last three members of the group! It was a great start to our whale-watching adventures! We really appreciate Casey taking the time and effort to find us and let us know the whales were there. It made our day!
We’re so grateful for the work of the Whale Museum and will spread the word: The Museum is the best first stop for any visit to the islands!
Written May 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sandra R
Superior, CO51 contributions
Friends
This small museum packs a punch with its whale skeletons and stories. It’s divided into several sections, beginning with the ticket window inside a store that offers many unique gifts, along this those you would ordinarily find.
The lower floor beyond the store offers a view of how whales and other wild animals are being protected. Stop and watch some of the movies along the way. We watched one about a baby whale who had been separated from its pod. This rescue is a feel good story and worth the time we spent watching!
The upstairs is the museum with many artifacts and much information about the different types of whales and dolphins in the Salish Sea. It was a lot to read so if you’re with young children, be prepared to summarize and share the high points with them. We visited before our whale watching tour and were happy with our “whale” celebration day!
The lower floor beyond the store offers a view of how whales and other wild animals are being protected. Stop and watch some of the movies along the way. We watched one about a baby whale who had been separated from its pod. This rescue is a feel good story and worth the time we spent watching!
The upstairs is the museum with many artifacts and much information about the different types of whales and dolphins in the Salish Sea. It was a lot to read so if you’re with young children, be prepared to summarize and share the high points with them. We visited before our whale watching tour and were happy with our “whale” celebration day!
Written May 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ohjames
Roseburg, OR346 contributions
One would think that there's really not much to say or exhibit about whales that we haven't alread heard, but this museum is a wonderful kaleidoscope of presentation. Everything in a nutshell. Movies, full endoskeletons suspended from the ceiling, interactive screens and a modest souvenir store makes this an activity in it's own. An hour is easy to spend here..Though we no longer have children, there's a plethora of activities for them.
Written September 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
juliebfromindy
Indianapolis, IN2,140 contributions
Couples
We stopped in here on a Saturday afternoon and found the small museum delightful. You can see different whale skeletons and Learn the stories surrounding those skeletons. You can learn about the plight of the orca to come back from the brink of extinction. You can hear the abounds they make underwater like eerie echos of generations past calling to your heart. You can watch a fascinating movie about shipping traffic and the sounds they generate underwater. The damage we are doing to the underwater habitats is truly astounding. From mapping the ocean floor to just moving in shipping lane the underwater world is experiencing epic and catastrophic sound walls. I highly recommend stopping in for a visit and some education!
Written July 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
StevoinMinnesoto
Cottage Grove, MN576 contributions
We 4 adults toured the Whale Museum on a cool, drizzly day. It is an easy walk from most lodging and only a block or 2 off the main drag in Friday Harbor. We all felt that the museum is geared towards children, not adults. It took us about 45 minutes to walk through it.
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
One world foodie
16 contributions
This is a great place in town with much information on whales including videos, skeletons, displays, printed materials, etc. There is a long flight of stairs (maybe 15 or so) to climb to view the 2nd floor displays which are worth seeing. No elevator. They have a nice little gift shop on the first floor. Great place to learn about various whales (and some other marine mammals), research, conservation, etc.
Written April 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AndreaUbok
Florida2,707 contributions
Couples
Admission was nine dollars for adults & it I s reduced for children and seniors. There was a lot of hands-on, film, bones, sounds …everything about the endangered orcas.
Discovered that orcas are baleen whales have baleen instead of teeth which they use to collect shrimp-like krill, plankton and small fish from the sea. These bristly baleen plates filter, sift, sieve or trap the whales’ prey from seawater inside their mouths. Baleen is made out of keratin, the same protein that makes up our fingernails and hair. It was a large pieces of baleen in the museum.
Discovered that orcas are baleen whales have baleen instead of teeth which they use to collect shrimp-like krill, plankton and small fish from the sea. These bristly baleen plates filter, sift, sieve or trap the whales’ prey from seawater inside their mouths. Baleen is made out of keratin, the same protein that makes up our fingernails and hair. It was a large pieces of baleen in the museum.
Written June 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Christine D
Chicago, IL217 contributions
Friends
It was something to do to pass the time while waiting for the ferry. Kind of disappointed but the movie portion was interesting. Not terribly upset with the visit. But I wouldn’t recommend it if you were pressed for time and was wondering what to see and what not to see before leaving the island.
Written June 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tcwolfina
14 contributions
Solo
Really interesting place with a really friendly guide! There were two tours that went on. One at 1:30 and another one around 3, I believe. The guide was extremely knowledgeable about all the whales and answered every question that was thrown at him. I would definitely go again
Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JD
Puyallup, WA2 contributions
Family
I ask the lady at the front desk we if younger kids would like the museum and she said yes ..oh she was so wrong . I paid 20 to walk up stairs!!!!! Seriously. I’m trying to make the most out of mother s day . And to top of off the candy stick with a whale. Well I open and it all fell on the ground
Written May 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Frequently Asked Questions about The Whale Museum
- The Whale Museum is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Hotels near The Whale Museum:
- (0.06 mi) The Island Inn at 123 West
- (0.04 mi) Friday Harbor House
- (0.05 mi) Bird Rock Hotel
- (0.06 mi) San Juan County Park
- (0.06 mi) San Juan Suites
- Restaurants near The Whale Museum:
- (0.03 mi) Friday Harbor House Restaurant
- (0.08 mi) Mike's Cafe and Wine Bar
- (0.09 mi) Kings Market
- (0.08 mi) Downriggers
- (0.08 mi) Cask and Schooner Public House & Restaurant