Signature Whale Watch

Washington's best whale watching tours departing out of Anacortes

Our flagship tour has a brand-new trip duration with a wide variety of departure times throughout the season. This updated schedule provides guests traveling from across the state and country with greater flexibility, allowing them to select a departure time that best suits their schedule.

Signature Whale Watch Calendar

You've reached the best value in the area.

Price, convenience, and quality – we offer the best of all three. We've proudly offered the best value in whale watching for 25 years. Our departure location is convenient no matter where you are in Washington state and is accessible without the hassle and added expense of taking a ferry.

As low as $99/Adults and $69/children with 30+ day advance booking!

It pays to plan your tour in advance! Save $10 per person automatically for booking more than 30 days in advance – no promo code necessary. Simply select Calculate Total and our online reservation system will apply the Advanced Booking Discount!

Discounted Adults are those with an active AAA membership, AARP members, are active/retired military and/or dependent, seniors 65+, or students age 13-college.Ticket prices do not include WA State sales tax, port fees, or fuel charges. Parking is FREE in Anacortes! A $3 per person ticketing fee will be assessed on all reservations, as well as a $1 per person port fee on all Anacortes reservations.

Departure times vary throughout the season.

In order to give you the best possible whale and wildlife experience, our departure times change throughout the season. Our standard departure time is mid-day, and in the summer months, we’re able to offer three different departure times. Please check the online tour calendar for full departure time availability!

Which tour should I choose?

Oftentimes, deciding on a departure time can be one of the hardest parts of the reservation process. We can confidently say that there isn't a tour time that's better than the other. If we knew of a trip that saw more whales than the other, we wouldn't run the less successful trip!

We recommend choosing the departure time that works best in your schedule. Whales aren't on a rigid schedule, so both tours have the same whale sighting success rate. The benefits of morning versus afternoon come into play on the human side. Morning tours are great because you're first out on the water and have the rest of the afternoon to do as you please. If you're not a morning person, choose the afternoon tour! You don't have to get up early, and you end your day with whales and some pretty incredible lighting for photographs.

All tours are fantastic, so choose the one that works in your schedule best!

Signature Whale Watch Calendar

You’ll be on the most comfortable boat in the Salish Sea.

The Island Explorer 5 is simply the best whale-watching vessel anywhere. She is 98' long and 30' wide with a cruise speed of over 25 knots. She is also incredibly quiet which will enhance your whale-watching experience. 20+ years of whale watching experience has gone into the design of the Island Explorer 5. She has three full walk-around outside viewing decks with cathedral bow seating that provides more outside viewing area than any tour boat in the region. There are also two large heated cabins with seating for all guests, state of the art A/V system, and large comfortable bathrooms.

Meet Island Explorer 5

Where do we meet for the tour?

Please proceed directly to the marina for boarding and check-in. The closest address to enter into your navigation system is: 712 Seafarer's Way, Anacortes, WA 98221

Please park in one of the two approved lots (see map in your email confirmation). Please do not park in any spaces marked "Reserved" or "2-Hour Parking". Island Adventures will not be responsible if you are towed for parking anywhere other than in the gravel parking lot.

After parking, please walk across the Seafarers Way to Dock A and proceed down the ramp to the Island Explorer 5.

Boat Address: 712 Seafarer’s Way, Anacortes, WA 98221

Boarding Location Link

Anacortes is the best departure location for orcas.

Anacortes is our flagship location where Island Adventures first began back in 1996. Just a 90-mile drive from downtown Seattle, Anacortes is a convenient starting point for your wildlife adventure - no ferry required! The calm waters near the San Juan Islands are one of the best places in the world to view wild orcas. Humpback whales, minke whales, and gray whales also call the region home. Soak in the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest aboard the finest whale-watching vessel on the entire west coast, the Island Explorer 5.

The Salish Sea is home to one of the richest varieties of marine life on the planet. There's no better place to view the booming population of Bigg's, or mammal-eating killer whales. In addition to orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, and gray whales are also frequently seen throughout the year. Our experienced and professional naturalist guides will also highlight harbor seals, sea lions, Dall’s and harbor porpoise, bald eagles and many types of sea birds. The average tour covers 60 miles through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

Our skilled captains and crew have built a rapport with local researchers, contributing our own data and information to aid the study and protection of marine life in the area. Through photo identification and experience on the water, we've come to recognize each whale's unique markings and understand their individual personalities. If the conditions are just right, we can even listen to their conversations by using underwater microphones (hydrophones).

Signature Whale Watch Calendar

How to prepare for your whale watch tour.

We're excited for the opportunity to show you as many whales and as much wildlife as possible in the San Juan Islands! Our whale watch tours require reservations before arriving to Cap Sante Marina. We accept last-minute reservations when space is available, but at times we do fill up days in advance and have to turn people away. The best way to ensure you have a spot on one of our tours is to book your tour online or give us a call to reserve in advance.

Questions? We Have answers!

From making reservations to getting off the boat, we're here for every step.

Island Adventures stands out as one of the few whale-watching companies that employs dedicated office staff full-time and year-round. With decades of experience, you can rest assured that when you contact us through phone, text, or email, you’ll be speaking with a professional who genuinely cares about experience on the water. Our office is open daily from 8 AM to 4 PM, seven days a week. Drop us a line or give us a call; we can't wait to help you!

Call or Text: (360) 293-2428

Email: whales@islandadventurecruises.com