When can you see whales in Puget Sound?
What is the best month to see the whales? – Peak season is considered the summer months of mid-June through early September. During this time, we see whales (orcas, humpbacks and/or minke) on over 90% of our tours. There are whales here year round, but much less predictably so outside the summer months.
What time of year is best for whale watching in Seattle?
Summer
A: The best time for whale watching in Seattle is in the Summer between May and October.
What time of year can you see whales in Washington state?
The Best Time of Year to Spot Whales Whales are a migratory species that follow the pacific coast during the spring and fall. While sightings have occurred anywhere from October through July, your best bet is to plan a trip in spring, specifically the month May.
Where is the best place to whale watch?
Top Whale-Watching Destinations
- Santa Barbara, California.
- Monterey Bay, California.
- Kodiak Island, Alaska.
- San Juan Islands, Washington.
- Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
- Virginia Beach.
- Long Island, New York.
- Cape May, New Jersey.
Can I see whales in Puget Sound?
The most reliable sightings are gray whales from the end of February through the end of May or into early June, and the best place to see them from is Langley, or from most beaches off South Whidbey Island. They’re also sometimes found further north in Saratoga Passage.
Why is Puget Sound called whulge?
The sound, called Whulge by the Salish Indians, was explored in 1792 by British navigator George Vancouver and named by him for Peter Puget, a second lieutenant in his expedition, who probed the main channel.
Do whales come into Puget Sound?
After spending most of the summer in the San Juan Islands, our Resident orca pods venture south into inland waters for the fall and early winter months, traveling down Admiralty Inlet chasing chum salmon runs into lower Puget Sound.
When to go whale watching in Puget Sound?
Whale watching in the Strait of Juan de Fuca or the Puget Sound is most successful in the spring and fall, when certain cetaceans pass through this region on their way to or from their calving grounds. Find these massive creatures on their biannual journey past the Pacific Northwest either between April and May or October and November.
Where to see gray whales in Washington State?
San Juan Island is also reachable by a boat cruise. Other Seattle tours depart either from West Seattle or Elliot Bay. Everett is located just 30 minutes from Seattle and is known for its gray whales. For a limited period, mid-February to mid-June, gray whales choose this location for feeding on their way to Alaska.
When is the best time to see whales in Hawaii?
Humpback whales are known to calve in a few select lagoons around Hawaii. Summer is the best time to view orca whales and spring/fall is the best time for gray whale viewing. The Bigg’s killer whale ( Orcinus orca) is also known simply as an orca whale. They use the rich waters of the Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca for feeding.
When to see orca whales in San Juan Island?
Orca whales are what this area is known for and proud of. Each year, mid-May and mid-October, thousands of orca whales pass near San Juan Island. At this time of the year, the waters are loaded with salmon, which attracts orca whales the most.