Best whale watching deal in the area, just 30 minutes from Seattle!
Each spring provides one of the best whale watching opportunities in Washington. More than 20,000 gray whales migrate along the west coast each year. A small group, known as the "Sounders", are drawn to the abundant ghost shrimp of Puget Sound where they feed before continuing on their journey. Our skilled naturalists will teach you to identify individual whales that have returned to this area for decades.
While it is possible to see other whale species on occasion, the primary focus of our special Everett tours are gray whales, gentle giants roughly the size of a school bus! In addition to the gray whales, guests will also view seals, sea lions, eagles, osprey, seabirds, and more.
Departing from Everett, our guests will explore the calm protected waters of Possession Sound, Saratoga Passage, and Port Gardner Bay while enjoying the comfortable accommodations aboard the Island Explorer 5. Island Adventures has been offering spring gray whale tours in 2006 and since then, this program boasts our highest success rate - 99.5%!
Everett Tour Times and Pricing
Everett
The greatest whale watching value in the state - just 30 minutes from Seattle! This special limited season focuses on gray whales that migrate along the west coast, stopping to feed in local waters on their way back to Alaska. While it's possible to see orcas, minkes, or humpbacks as well, our Everett tour is specifically designed to highlight the feeding gray whales of Puget Sound that visit for just a few short months each year.
2022 Everett Rates and Dates
April 2nd - 24th: 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 3:30 PM
Adults: $69 | Discounted Adults: $59
Children (ages 2-12): $49 | Infants 0-1yr: $1
As low as $49/Adults and $39/Children with 30+ day advance booking!
Which tour should I choose?
Often times, 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.
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. The afternoon tour is great because you don't have to get up early and can end your day with whales and other wildlife.
Simply choose the departure time that works best for you!
$20 for 30
Big savings for booking in advance!
Adults save $10 when you book 30+ days in advance and an additional $10 with military ID, AAA, AARP, seniors 65+, or a student (age 13yrs - college). This deal cannot be combined with promotion codes or other discounts and is valid on whale-watching tours only.
Save $10 for booking 30+ days in advance + Save $10 with adult discount = $20 Savings
Everett Whale Sightings
Our interactive map showcases all of our 2019 whale sightings. Island Adventures saw whales on all 100 of 100 tours in 2019! Each pin represents a whale sighting:
- Gray: Gray Whale
- Pink: Southern Resident Killer Whales
- Red: Bigg's Killer Whales
Our Everett cruises focus primarily on migrating gray whales. These gentle giants stop by each spring to feed in the waters just minutes away from our Everett dock! As you can see from our interactive sightings map, we also have the occasional opportunity to see Bigg's killer whales (marine mammal-eating orcas) and Southern Resident killer whales (salmon-eating orcas) as well!
What vessel will I be on?
Island Explorer 5
The Island Explorer 5 is simply the best whale watching vessel anywhere.
She is 98' long, 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. Onboard guests will enjoy our South of the Border Cafe with hot food, snacks, beer, and wine for sale.
Vessel features:
- Outside rail viewing space on one side of the boat for all guests
- Indoor heated seating for all passengers
- Three viewing decks for the best possible vantage point over the water
- Best galley menu of any tour vessel in the area – fresh and changing with the seasons
- High-speed catamaran with speeds capable of 25+ knots, giving us one of the largest ranges in the industry
- AED onboard with highly trained/qualified staff and crew
Everett Check In Procedures
Check-In: 402 14th Street, Everett, WA 98201
For our gray whale tours from Everett, boarding time begins 20-30 minutes prior to departure. The Island Explorer 5 is docked on Guest Dock 3. Report directly to the boat for check-in.
Island Adventures guests should park in the Visitor Parking areas in the parking lot. Please make sure that you have pre-paid for parking prior to your tour's departure by either paying via the LAZ app on your phone, scanning one of the QR codes from one of the many parking signs, or stopping by the pay station on your way in that is located on Craftsman Way (right across from Scuttlebutt Brewery). Although our tours are 2-hours in length, we recommend paying the minimal $2 fee for 2-4 hours of parking since we do ask guests to arrive at least 20 minutes early for boarding prior to the scheduled departure time.
Check-In Tips
- Please park in Visitor Parking
- Arrive 30-40 minutes prior to departure to ensure you have enough time to find and pay for parking
- Pay for parking prior to boarding for your tour
- No need for paperwork
- Bring layers and sunscreen
- Remember your debit or credit card
- Bring your camera
Springtime in Everett can bring some great weather. On average, the temperature on land can be between 50 and 70 degrees. Even though the weather can feel warm on land, we always recommend bringing layers – sweatshirts and jackets – as it can feel 10-20 degrees cooler on the water. Our excursion vessels are designed to be comfortable in any weather conditions with indoor heated cabins and covered outdoor areas.
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!