From the icy waters of the Antarctic to the beaches of Patagonia – we uncover the best orca watching spots around the world…
- Antarctica. Orca in Antarctica (Shutterstock) …
- Peninsula Valdes, Argentina. …
- Iceland. …
- Norway. …
- Bremer Bay, Australia. …
- Alaska, USA. …
- San Juan Island, USA. …
- Auckland, New Zealand.
Where is the best place in the world to see orcas?
San Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands off the coast of northwestern Washington are known for being one of the best places to see orcas in the wild. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Seattle to Anacortes, then a short ferry ride across the sound to Friday Harbor, where many whale-watching outfitters leave on daily excursions.
Where can you see orcas in the UK?
Where can I see killer whales in Britain? Orcas have been recorded all around the British waters, but they are most common in the west and north of Scotland and the northern section of the North Sea. The Shetland Islands are an orca hotspot with sightings possible year-round.
What is the best time of year to see orcas in San Juan Islands?
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.
What is the best time of day to see orcas?
morning
One of the reasons that the morning time is the best time of day for whale watching has to do with weather and ocean conditions. The wind is a key player when it comes to smooth seas, and morning trips often have less wind.
Are there orcas in Florida?
In addition to being found in colder water, killer whales also have been seen in warm water areas such as Florida, Hawaii, Australia, the Galapagos Islands, the Bahamas, and the Gulf of Mexico, and more temperate waters such as New Zealand and South Africa.
Can you see orcas in California?
On the West Coast, however, there are a few locations in particular we recommend for the best chance to spot orca whales. These locations include Long Beach, Monterey Bay, and San Diego.
Are there orcas in UK waters?
However, the UK’s resident orca community consists of just eight individuals, four males and four females, which means seeing them is rare! Known as the ‘west coast community’ this resident group of orcas arrive in Northern Scotland in early summer to feast on fish.
Are there whales in UK waters?
While whales and dolphins can be seen along most of the United Kingdom’s coastline, a few locations are known for their organized whale and dolphin watching activities. These include the west coast of Scotland, the Moray Firth on the east coast of Scotland, and Cardigan Bay in Wales.
Do orcas live in Scotland?
Scotland’s group of killer whales are visible all year round, especially around the Small Isles and Skye. However, due to limited size of their pod, sightings of the orca are rare.
Is whale watching better in Maui or Kauai?
In addition to having better viewing because of the sheer numbers, the more protected location of Maui in the island chain means flatter, calmer waters than Kauai, which make for better viewing. That said, the best whale watching I’ve ever had from shore was on Lanai.
Can you see orcas in San Francisco?
San Francisco is a great place to go whale watching.
Whale Watching San Francisco by Season.
| Season | Whales & Other Animals |
|---|---|
| May to November | Humpback |
| December to May | Gray, Sperm, Killer (Orcas) |
| July to October | Blue |
Can you see orcas at orcas island?
Whatever tour you choose, you’ll have the chance to see orcas, minke whales, harbor seals, Dall’s and harbor porpoise, bald eagles, ospreys, cormorants, great blue herons, and other seabirds; seasonally, look for Steller and California sea lions, gray whales, and elephant seals.
Can you see orcas in Seattle?
You can see orcas in Seattle, Washington and the surrounding areas year round. But summer between May and September are the best times to kayak with orcas. That’s because their food source, salmon, is most active around this time.
Are there cougars on Orcas Island?
There are no bears, wolves or mountain lions on the island. When the sun goes down there is little to fear from the wild world when it comes to large predators. Smaller mammals like the raccoon are wild and can cause problems especially when humans interact with them as if they were domestic creatures.
How many days do you need in Orcas Island?
Stay for two days to enjoy the full breadth of island life with morning mist rolling through the farmlands and fiery sunsets over the water. Consider visiting during the week to avoid larger weekend crowds and spend time island-hopping between activities on San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez Island.
Do you need a car on Orcas Island?
Orcas Island: If you arrive at Orcas Island on foot and want to explore the island, a car is definitely the way to go. You can rent a car at the Orcas ferry terminal.
How long is ferry to Orcas Island?
ANACORTES – ORCAS ISLAND (Washington State Ferries)
Additional information: ANACORTES – ORCAS ISLAND has 2 stations and the total trip duration for this route is approximately 65 minutes.
Is there a ferry from Seattle to Orcas Island?
There is not, unfortunately, a ferry from Seattle to Orcas. Instead, you either need to fly directly to Orcas or drive to Anacortes where you can catch a ferry to take you to the Island. You can fly directly to Orcas Island via Kenmore Air.
Do I need a reservation for Orcas Island ferry?
You now have the ability to make a reservation on the ferry for your car (walk-on passengers don’t require reservations.) It’s suggested to make reservations for your trip to Orcas, and your return to Anacortes.
Can you fly into Orcas Island?
You can fly into Deer Harbor, Westsound, Rosario, or the Eastsound airport. San Juan Airlines provides scheduled and charter flights from British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest.
Can you drive on Orcas Island?
You can either walk-on or drive-on. You should check the schedule to ensure that the ferry you’re riding on is actually visiting Orcas Island at that time.
Is Uber on Orcas Island?
Uber Orcas Island does not exist. Orcas island uber and other rideshare services haven’t made it to the island for a plethora of reasons, so check out the options below to make sure you’re prepared.
Where are the Orcas in the San Juan Islands?
American Camp & Cattle Point. Just off South Beach, part of American Camp on the south end of San Juan Island, lies Salmon Bank – a prey-rich hotspot for orcas, humpbacks, and other marine mammals. This is also where the whales enter and exit the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean.
How much is ferry to San Juan Islands?
The round-trip fare is $59 for adults and $39 for children ages 6 to 12. These passenger ferries operate between mid-May and early September. You can also get from Sea-Tac Airport or downtown Seattle to the San Juan Islands ferry terminal in Anacortes on the Airporter Shuttle (tel.
Can you swim in the San Juan Islands?
That doesn’t mean you’ll have to go without when vacationing on gorgeous San Juan Island. There are breathtaking lakes to explore, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a few sheltered coves, where the salty sea does warm up enough for a refreshing dip. Find the 5 Best Places to go Swimming on San Juan Island here.
How do you get from Orcas Island to San Juan Island?
Interisland Ferry Schedule
It takes about 15 minutes to sail to Orcas island directly or about 35 minutes if it stops at Shaw on the way. A direct boat from Lopez to Friday Harbor takes 30 minutes but over 2 hours when it stops at the other island along the way.