Island Adventures Whale Watching

Island Adventures Whale Watching Voted the #1 whale-watching tour in Washington State. Departing from Anacortes, WA located 90 miles north of Seattle.
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Our lovely encounter with”Charlie II” and his family!We spent time with the T49A’s pod of Bigg’s killer whales in Haro S...
08/17/2024

Our lovely encounter with”Charlie II” and his family!

We spent time with the T49A’s pod of Bigg’s killer whales in Haro Strait! This particular pod has frequented our waters this year and it’s always a treat to see little two-year-old Charlie with his iconic underbite!

📸: Naturalist Sam Murphy

Captain Tyson appreciation post✌🏼 Tyson is one of our talented captains at the helm of the Island Explorer 5! Not only c...
08/15/2024

Captain Tyson appreciation post✌🏼

Tyson is one of our talented captains at the helm of the Island Explorer 5! Not only can he drive the boat, Tyson is a knowledgeable naturalist and whale enthusiast. You can count on this captain to tell the best jokes and to always lead a memorable adventure!

‼️August 28th Extended Range Tour availability‼️Exciting news… 5 spots have opened up for our 10-12 hour Extended Range ...
08/13/2024

‼️August 28th Extended Range Tour availability‼️

Exciting news… 5 spots have opened up for our 10-12 hour Extended Range Tour on August 28th! Departing at 6 AM, get ready for a wildlife-packed day on the water. These final tickets are first come first serve, and are available to book on our website!

If you miss this opportunity, no worries! Call our office to be one of the first on the waitlist 🐋

Breach alert 🐋This magnificent breach was an absolute treat during our tour! There’s something special about watching a ...
08/12/2024

Breach alert 🐋

This magnificent breach was an absolute treat during our tour! There’s something special about watching a 50,000+ lb humpback whale launch out of the water!

📸: Naturalist JR Sosky

Monday moods 😆 Sea lions are one of the more animated creatures that we encounter on our tours. Which Steller sea lion a...
08/12/2024

Monday moods 😆

Sea lions are one of the more animated creatures that we encounter on our tours. Which Steller sea lion are you today (1-4)? Let us know in the comments!

📸: IA Naturalists

You’ve heard of Yogi Bear, meet Yogi the humpback whale! We enjoyed some wild surface action, pec fin slaps, headstands,...
08/09/2024

You’ve heard of Yogi Bear, meet Yogi the humpback whale! We enjoyed some wild surface action, pec fin slaps, headstands, and a couple breaches! What a wonderful encounter with this spunky whale!

📸: Naturalist Clare Martin

A gray whale in August!! Look at that beautiful fluke! During the summer months we spend lots of time with orcas and hum...
08/06/2024

A gray whale in August!!

Look at that beautiful fluke! During the summer months we spend lots of time with orcas and humpback whales, but we were surprised to see a gray whale on a recent trip! This individual was identified as CRC 2411 and was first seen in the Salish Sea in 2021.

📸: Naturalist Sam Murphy

Minke whales and more awesome creatures on yesterday’s tours! Minke whales are a special sight as they can be elusive in...
08/04/2024

Minke whales and more awesome creatures on yesterday’s tours!

Minke whales are a special sight as they can be elusive in our waters. This friendly minke whale gave us some beautiful looks just south of Lopez Island! We watched as it circled the area likely looking for its next meal.

📸: Naturalist Sam Murphy

A sunny summer weekend is upon us!We can see up to four species of whales on our tours, and the past few days humpback w...
08/03/2024

A sunny summer weekend is upon us!

We can see up to four species of whales on our tours, and the past few days humpback whales, minke whales, and orca whales were in the area! We still have a few spots on our 10 AM and 3:30 PM tours tomorrow if you want to join in on the fun 🦅

Arts & Whales 🎨The annual Anacortes Arts Festival is this Friday-Sunday! When we’re not on the water, you can find us br...
08/01/2024

Arts & Whales 🎨

The annual Anacortes Arts Festival is this Friday-Sunday! When we’re not on the water, you can find us browsing the art stands & displays. For the ultimate weekend, pair your new painting with a whale and wildlife tour!

📸: Naturalist Sam Murphy

Rainy day action ☔️Our favorite fact on rainy days…whales don’t mind being wet! The past few days gave us gray skies, li...
07/31/2024

Rainy day action ☔️

Our favorite fact on rainy days…whales don’t mind being wet! The past few days gave us gray skies, liquid sunshine, and awesome sightings like this breach from one of the T65A’s.

📸: Naturalist Clare Martin

A playful evening with the T77’s! This pod of Bigg’s killer whales treated us to lots of action outside of Penn Cove yes...
07/29/2024

A playful evening with the T77’s!

This pod of Bigg’s killer whales treated us to lots of action outside of Penn Cove yesterday afternoon! T77 “Asja” had a big breach that was followed by some tail slaps and spy hops from her offspring T77C “Neftali”, T77D “Alcyon”, and T77E “Misneach”.

📸: Naturalist Sam Murphy

Let’s have a Steller Sunday! We have an abundant population of Steller sea lions in the Salish Sea! If not resting on a ...
07/28/2024

Let’s have a Steller Sunday!

We have an abundant population of Steller sea lions in the Salish Sea! If not resting on a channel marker, we often see these impressive pinnipeds swimming near rocky refuges scouting for a meal.

📸: Naturalist Sam Murphy

Our recent encounter with humpback whale “Gibbous” 🌖Gibbous was named for a unique semicircular notch on his right fluke...
07/27/2024

Our recent encounter with humpback whale “Gibbous” 🌖

Gibbous was named for a unique semicircular notch on his right fluke. If you know your lunar phases, you probably recognize the gibbous phase of the moon!

📸: Naturalist Sam Murphy

Masters of camouflage 🦭Harbor seals blend in well with the rocky refuges of the Salish Sea. These harbor seals were sunn...
07/25/2024

Masters of camouflage 🦭

Harbor seals blend in well with the rocky refuges of the Salish Sea. These harbor seals were sunning on the rocks when they got an up close and personal pass from a Bigg’s killer whale!

📸: Naturalist Sam Murphy

There’s nothing like seeing those blows in the horizon! The summer weather often rewards us with great wildlife-spotting...
07/22/2024

There’s nothing like seeing those blows in the horizon!

The summer weather often rewards us with great wildlife-spotting conditions on the water. Whether your prefer the morning cruise or our afternoon adventure, we’re bound to have both great views and awesome encounters!

📸: Naturalist Sam Murphy

Who’s ready for a whale-rific weekend?Our daily whale report on our website details every excursion! Check out the whale...
07/19/2024

Who’s ready for a whale-rific weekend?

Our daily whale report on our website details every excursion! Check out the whale report for highlights, photos, and to read about our wildlife encounters. The forecast for this weekend is whales and sunshine ☀️

📸: Naturalist Sam Murphy

Happy hump day from Europa the humpback whale 🐋Summer season is humpback season in the Salish Sea! We encountered Europa...
07/17/2024

Happy hump day from Europa the humpback whale 🐋

Summer season is humpback season in the Salish Sea! We encountered Europa earlier this month on an afternoon cruise in the Strait of Georgia. She was first documented in 2005 and she has had at least four calves in the years since! She is one of many impressive humpback mothers that visit our waters during this time of year.

📸: Naturalist Sam Murphy

A nice lineup with a Washington State Ferry ⛴️Our Pacific Northwest bingo cards have been filling up lately with iconic ...
07/16/2024

A nice lineup with a Washington State Ferry ⛴️

Our Pacific Northwest bingo cards have been filling up lately with iconic sights, lots of wildlife, and so many orca whales! This summer continues to be a wild one on the water, so don’t forget to plan your adventure soon! Hint hint, you don’t want to miss joining one of our crew-favorite 3:30 PM trips 👀

📸: Naturalist Juliann Conrardy

The past few days have been outstanding for Bigg’s killer whales in the Salish Sea 🤯We bore witness to a record setting ...
07/15/2024

The past few days have been outstanding for Bigg’s killer whales in the Salish Sea 🤯

We bore witness to a record setting T-Party with atleast 38 whales in attendance from over 10 different pods. We were wowed with lots of social behavior and it was a stunning mix of massive males, tiny calves, and everything in between. Every excursion has been unique, and we’re excited about all the action in our area!

📸: Naturalist Sam Murphy

A night to remember… our afternoon trip was one for the books with a massive gathering of killer whales in Puget Sound a...
07/14/2024

A night to remember… our afternoon trip was one for the books with a massive gathering of killer whales in Puget Sound and a finale from the T65B’s at Bird Rocks.

Born in 2023, T65B3 assisted with the swift takedown of a harbor seal. At only a year old, this little Bigg’s is sure to be a skilled hunter when he grows up. Bigg’s killer whales are apex predators in our waters, and they help maintain balance in their prey populations. Nature’s checks and balances are key to the success of both of these species. It was humbling to see this pod in action and to watch every member of the family contribute.

📸: Naturalist Sam Murphy

A jaw dropping moment from our encounter on yesterday’s afternoon trip! North of Bellingham Channel, three pods of Bigg’...
07/11/2024

A jaw dropping moment from our encounter on yesterday’s afternoon trip! North of Bellingham Channel, three pods of Bigg’s killer whales came together for an energetic T-party. T77D took our breath away with this impressive breach off our stern!

📸: Lauren Rasmussen

Rainbows and an afternoon snack! This incredible shot was captured by one of our passengers and features Bigg’s killer w...
07/10/2024

Rainbows and an afternoon snack!

This incredible shot was captured by one of our passengers and features Bigg’s killer whale T46B1 “Tread” after a successful hunt. Bigg’s killer whales are apex predators, and they help to keep prey populations in check! Some days we get to see the circle of life in action.

📸: Lyda

What would you caption this photo 😆? Share below in the comments!Sometimes you are watching the wildlife, sometimes the ...
07/09/2024

What would you caption this photo 😆? Share below in the comments!

Sometimes you are watching the wildlife, sometimes the wildlife is watching you…

📸: Naturalist Sam Murphy

We’re loving this summer weather!! With the heat and incredible views in the San Juan Islands, why wouldn’t you be on th...
07/07/2024

We’re loving this summer weather!! With the heat and incredible views in the San Juan Islands, why wouldn’t you be on the water? Mt. Baker was the perfect backdrop for our encounter with the T65B Bigg’s killer whales yesterday afternoon!

📸: Naturalist Clare Martin

What a fun-filled Fourth of July 🇺🇸We had a great day on the water with lots of Bigg’s killer whales and wildlife sighti...
07/05/2024

What a fun-filled Fourth of July 🇺🇸

We had a great day on the water with lots of Bigg’s killer whales and wildlife sightings, and we finished off the night with amazing views of the Anacortes fireworks show!

📸: Naturalist Sam Murphy

Whales and fireworks in the air… the Fourth of July is tomorrow! We have an action-packed day on the water planned, and ...
07/04/2024

Whales and fireworks in the air… the Fourth of July is tomorrow!

We have an action-packed day on the water planned, and we can’t wait to watch the Anacortes fireworks show from onboard the Island Explorer 5!

📸: Naturalist J.R. Sosky

A big spy hop from our encounter with the T46B pod of Bigg’s killer whales! This individual did some people watching yes...
07/01/2024

A big spy hop from our encounter with the T46B pod of Bigg’s killer whales! This individual did some people watching yesterday as it propelled out of the surface to have a look around. What a sight!

📸: Lauren Rasmussen

Can you imagine what that Steller sea lion is thinking? We’ve witnessed some show downs between Bigg’s killer whales and...
06/30/2024

Can you imagine what that Steller sea lion is thinking?

We’ve witnessed some show downs between Bigg’s killer whales and sea lions, but lucky for these pinnipeds, this pod decided a close pass was close enough!

📸: Naturalist J.R. Sosky

Our late season gray whale has been sighted on our recent trips! We’ve enjoyed watching this individual feed and hang ar...
06/28/2024

Our late season gray whale has been sighted on our recent trips!

We’ve enjoyed watching this individual feed and hang around the Alden Bank area. With lots of ghost shrimp and tasty options for this whale, we’re interested to see how long they stick around this summer!

📸: Naturalist Juliann Conrardy

Address

712 Seafarer's Way
Anacortes, WA
98221

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm
Saturday 8am - 4pm
Sunday 8am - 4pm

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Our Story

The waters in and around the San Juan Islands provide one of the best whale watching opportunities anywhere in the world, offering calm waters and a huge variety of wildlife which including two types of killer whale, humpback whales, minke whales, and gray whales. If you are visiting the northwest or are lucky enough to live here, don’t let this opportunity pass you by! Island Adventures began in 1996 and we pride ourselves on offering educational and responsible whale watching experiences. Our passion for sharing the area’s wildlife with our visitors shows on each and every tour and is the reason we are consistently voted the #1 whale watching tour in Washington!


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