The Holiday Gift Certificate Sale Is Here
Treat yourself this holiday season or spread the savings with the gift of adventure! Now through December 24th, save $30 off per person on all 2025 Signature 3-3.5 hour whale watch gift certificates. Follow the simple steps on our online reservation system and an electronic gift certificate will be sent immediately to your email inbox, making this the most convenient shopping experience of the holiday season!
$30 Off 2025 Tours
A whale and wildlife tour with Island Adventures is the perfect gift for the wildlife enthusiast in your life or that “hard to buy for” person who seems to have it all. Don't forget to grab a few for the most important one on your list - yourself!
Now through December 24th, save $30 off per person on all 2025 3-3.5 hour whale watch gift certificates. Follow the simple steps on our online reservation system and our electronic gift certificates will be sent immediately to your email inbox, making this the most convenient shopping experience of the holiday season!
Adults only $102
Regular Price $134
Children only $58
Regular Price $91
Pricing includes all taxes and fees
Already know when you want to go?
If you already have an exact date in mind, you can skip purchasing a gift certificate and reserve your 2025 tour using promo code HOLIDAY25 to get your $30 savings per person instantly. Click the link below to select your departure date and time!
Whale watching from Washington has never been better!
Since our very first tour in 1996, Island Adventures has had some truly spectacular encounters on the water. We can easily say, without hesitation, that whale watching in Washington has never been more exciting. With orcas, humpbacks, minkes, and gray whales being seen in record numbers, there's never been a better time to plan your "Island Adventure"!
New Tours for 2025
We're excited to announce a brand new lineup for the 2025 season with more Extended Range Tours and a new tour length for our Signature Whale Watch
At Island Adventures, our number one goal is to provide you with an unparalleled experience, showcasing as many whales and diverse wildlife as possible, all while exploring the Salish Sea and the San Juan Islands. We’re thrilled to introduce our brand-new 3-3.5 hour tours, starting in 2025. These guaranteed whale-watching tours from Anacortes will now offer a convenient and enjoyable experience for all, regardless of their schedule constraints.
Why Choose Island Adventures?
At Island Adventures, we pride ourselves on being the most experienced and dedicated whale watching company in Washington. It's not a fluke that our tour has been voted the best in the Northwest for years. Island Adventures holds the industry's highest orca sighting success rate and was one of the first and only companies to guarantee whale sightings on every tour. Our team of highly qualified crew will make your trip unforgettable! We boast more than 100 years of combined experience and have led thousands excursions for hundreds of thousands of satisfied guests over the last 27 years. Experience counts!
No Ferry Hassles!
Anacortes is the heart of the San Juan Islands and you don't need to take a ferry to get here! Simply drive to Cap Sante Marina, board the Island Explorer 5, and set off in prime whale-viewing waters.
Locally Owned and Operated
Island Adventures has been a family owned and run company since 1996. Our passion for nearly 30 years has been to show guests from around the world killer whales.
#1 Whale Sighting Success Rate
With our vessel speed and tour duration, Island Adventures has one of the largest ranges in the whale watching community. This gives us an industry-leading sighting success rate of over 97%.
Professional Crew
Island Adventures employs year-round professional captains, marine naturalists, and office staff. Our crew is not only the best in the San Juans, we share your passion for seeing whales.
Online Daily Whale Reports
Island Adventures has a comprehensive record of every tour since 2007. Our Whale Report not only provides daily tour updates but also offers insights into the evolving trends of whale watching.
State-of-the-Art Vessel
Nothing compares to the Island Explorer 5, our state-of-the-art vessel built specifically for whale watching. Every inch of the 100-foot catamaran was meticulously designed with the guest in mind.
Guaranteed Whale Watch Tours
Deciding where to watch whales in Washington can be difficult. Anacortes is strategically placed to offer the best whale viewing opportunities. There's no company that sees more whales than Island Adventures. As members of the Pacific Whale Watch Association, we have access to the best whale-sightings network in the world. If whales in the area, we know it. High-speed, low profile vessels often travel past whales without seeing them. Our elevated wheelhouses and upper decks allow us to find more whales, spot them sooner, and view them better than smaller boats.
2025 Signature Whale Watch
3-3.5 Hour Tours
Our flagship tour has a brand-new tour duration with a wide variety of departure times throughout the season. This expanded schedule provides guests with more potential adventures to pick from and greater flexibility to accommodate your schedule. Our signature whale watch is signature for a reason, look no further for the best value in whale watching.
Extended Range Tours
10-12 Hours
Calling all professional photographers and wildlife enthusiasts! Our Extended Range Tours are tailor-made for you. We’ve got three exclusive Full Day Excursions lined up for you on these dates: April 22nd, June 20th, and August 19th. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to capture some unforgettable moments!
Full Day Excursion
6-7 Hours
For those seeking more time on the water, we are thrilled to introduce our inaugural set of Full Day Excursions. These extended 6-7 hour tours not only provide us with a broader range but also offer an opportunity to spend more time with whales and other wildlife.
Reservations Coming Soon
Specialty Tours
Our guaranteed whale watching tours have made us the #1 whale watching company in the Pacific Northwest, but our specialty tours offer a chance to enjoy a few hours on the water. Whether it's a private charter for your corporate retreat or an unforgettable 4th of July, we've got a tour for you!
Fourth of July Fireworks Cruise
2-2.5 Hours
Skip the hassle of finding a good spot for your folding chair this 4th of July and enjoy a front-row fireworks view! This year, our Independence Day celebration is dedicated to providing you with the best possible view of the fireworks—from the water. Our tour will depart at 9:30 PM, and we’ll head out of Cap Sante Marina to position ourselves with an unparalleled view of Anacortes’ breathtaking fireworks display.
Reservations Coming Soon
Private Tours
Custom Tour Length
Island Adventures is known as the area's premier whale watching company, but we also offer private charters throughout the year. The Island Explorer 5 features a full walk around lower deck, two upper viewing decks, great sound systems, heated cabins, galley service, two restrooms, and the best crew in the area. Whether it is a whale watching tour, wedding, corporate team building event, or a family reunion, give us a call and we will help you set up an event your guests will never forget.
Tour Calendar and Rates
Our Signature 3-3.5 hr tours, Full Day 6-7 hr excursions, and 10-12 hr Extended Range tours offer the greatest value and selection for whale watching in the area. With tours running February-November, we have an adventure for you!
Our state-of-the-art online booking system makes it easy to make reservations anywhere, at any time. You'll receive an immediate email confirmation with a receipt, driving directions, and a satellite image of your departure location. Reservations are highly recommended, but we'll gladly take walk-ups if space is available.
Meet the Most Comfortable Boat in the Area
Island Explorer 5 was built specifically built for whale watching.
Our goal is to show you as many whales as possible, and with the Island Explorer 5, we do that better than any other company. To ensure comfort and quality, we don't book our vessels to full capacity. Every passenger has unobstructed front-row viewing. You won't be stuck inside looking through glass or forced to stand behind other guests.
Due to the design and stability of our vessel, we don’t force you to to sit down while we’re underway. Grab a hot cup of chili or a cold local brew while moving freely around our fully walk-around viewing decks. When you’d like to sit, however, we have plenty of options for everyone. The Island Explorer 5 has comfortable indoor heated cabins and outdoor, wind-protected areas with padded seating. No other vessel comes close to the comfort of the Island Explorer 5.
Some of the features that set us apart from the pack are things you’ll never see. Our vessel is equipped with large, low-noise propellers and above-water exhaust to create a quieter experience for the whales. While watching whales, our vessel make less noise than the ambient sound of rain hitting the surface. We’ve modernized our boat by investing in equipment that not only meets but exceeds current emissions standards.
Guaranteed Whales
Island Adventures was one of the first companies to guarantee whales in the San Juan Islands. We are the leaders in whale sightings with an overall sighting success rate over 97%. The guarantee isn't a stand-by pass and there are no blackout dates, it's an offer to come again for 50% off your next tour in hopes of fulfilling our guests' wish to see whales.
Species Covered
Date Range
Sighting Success Rate
Whale Report
Follow our adventures from wherever you are! Our whale reports include detailed accounts and highlight photos from every excursion. Check out our latest tours or deep dive into our reports that date back to 2003!
Online Reservations
Make a reservation online with our secure system and receive an immediate email confirmation.
Whale Report
See what we've seen on the water. There's a detailed account from every tour since 2003!
Our Guarantee
We guarantee whales on every tour!
Prepare for your tour
It’s better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. See our tips, suggestions, and frequently asked questions.
Whales and Wildlife
Our goal is to share as much local wildlife, scenery, and history as possible on each and every tour.