FAQ's

1. What sets your company apart from other whale watching companies?
What we have been told by our clients is that they have a wonderful, memorable time. Clients tell us that our naturalists and staff are warm and friendly. That the naturalists are involved, knowledgeable and love to teach what they know. We love our jobs. We see ourselves as professionals.
Whale Watching Staff

2. How do we find the whales?
San Juan Safaris belongs to a "spotting network". This network includes spotters on land, out on the water and sometimes in the air. Our captain also has his or her own "network of friends". Both of which gives us our high percentage of sightings.

3. To Charter or not to charter a boat.
For certain types of events, family reunions, team building and more - chartering the entire vessle makes a good deal of sense. With a large group it might even be a bit less expensive.

4. Our group of eight wishes to just be by ourselves. What is the best way to accomplish this?
A full charter, which is 3 - 4 hours can start at $695 for 18-passenger vessel, The Kittiwake, includes the Captain and naturalist/first mate.

5.What is required to book the whole boat?
A 50% non-refundable deposit at time of booking, and that balance of the charter is due 30 days prior to the charter.

6. Is there a bathroom?
Yes! It is a standard marine head.

7. Cancellation Policy
We are particular about our cancellation policy.
All bookings require a credit card. Guests of Roche Harbor resort also are required to provide us with a credit card. Without leaving a credit card, one would not have a firm booking. Of course one would be welcome to show up and take their chances. In July and August, however, the chances of just showing up would most likely not afford one a place on the whale watch vessel.
No shows are charged full price.

A. 1-4 people
One must cancel 48 hours prior to your trip. If you cancel inside of the 48 hours or do not show, you will be charged the full amount
B. 5-9 people
Requires a 50% non-refundable deposit. If the booking is not canceled full 48 hours prior to the trip, or you do not show, you will be charged the full amount
C. 10 or more
Requires a 50% non-refundable deposit, .
This booking needs to be canceled a full 30 days prior to the trip. If the booking is canceled inside the 30-day period, full price will be charged. A no show will be charged full price. (Now that the space is firmly booked, we will be turning business away in order to hold it for you).

8. What do you need to bring to go whale watching?

9. What is the best month to see the whales?
There really isn't a best Month. The orca whales are generally around the islands May - September. Traditionally sightings are up in the 90+ percent range. But every year is different. In 1999 and 2000, San Juan Safaris, on a per trip basis, May 1 to Sept 15 sightings were at 90%. 2001 were 95% + (we think 2001 was due to a large amount of Salmon in the runs) 2002 our sighting were over 90%. Because our trips start on the San Juan Island, where most sightings occur, and because of our boats 18 knots with passengers, we are usually able to get to the whales, spend time with the whales, spend time viewing other wildlife and get back in the 3 to 3.5 hour period.

10. What is the best time of day to see the whales?
We have not found that morning is any better than afternoon or evening. Our sighting percentages are high. Go when it fits into your schedule best. We are one of the few operators that offers a sunset tour. Sunset is a beautiful time to be out on the water.

11. What is the age limit on your vessel?
We take any age. We will ask parents of children under two years of age to stay in our windowed heated cabin for safety reason.

12. Will your vessel accommodate a person in a wheel chair?
If the person can stand, walk up two steps on the outside of boat, then one on the inside, we will do our best to board them. We cannot place a wheelchair in our boat due to safety considerations. Please let us know when booking so that we can plan ahead.

13. What is the Scedule for the whale watching tours? Click here for Whale Watching Wildlife Tour Schedule

14. Can I make a reservation on line? Yes! - Click Here

15. What about sunset trips?
Approximately mid June to mid August we offer sunset whale watching. At this time of year in the Pacific Northwest the sun does not set until approximately 9:30 PM.
The sunsets are romantic and breathtaking. (And many restaurants stay open late in the summer).

16. How long are your whale watch trips?
All of our excursions are approximately 3- 3.5 hours. Because our boats can travel at speeds to 18 knots, we can almost always get to the whales, spend time with them and other wildlife and get back within that time frame.

17. Why don't you offer whale watching the remainder of the year?
There are actually several reasons. The two main reasons being: The orca whales are not usually in the vicinity of the islands after October. Also, weather and water conditions tend not to be good.
After September, the weather is often unpredictable. Most years it's windy, rainy and cold. Wind is not good for water conditions. Also, most importantly, whale sightings become scarce. Some think that the Orcas usually go further out to sea. Some of our resident orca whales have been spotted as far south as Monterey California in the winter months.

18. Do you take school groups, scouts, and kids clubs?
We sure do. We love to teach kids about the whales, wildlife, and the ecosystems here in the islands and what they can do to help protect these resources. Best time for these excursions is May, June and September, when it's not so busy.
We are known as the small group specialists.
19. What are we likely to see besides Orca Whales?

20. Where do we go? Wherever the whales are. Sometimes that might be out towards Canada, or down to the very south end of the island, or to the north end of the island and occasionally the orca are not around San Juan Island, but you can depend on this; they go wherever they want to go. (They can easily cover 100 miles in a day)

Map of where whales are most frequently seen - Click Here

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Friday Harbor, WA, USA
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