Whale Watching


 

Spring and Summer find the San Juan Islands home to pods of orca (killer) whales and solitary, baleen minke whales. All of my expeditions spend one and one half days traversing pathways where orcas are most frequently found as they hunt schools of migrating salmon. Paddling with San Juan Kayak Expeditions gives you the best odds of sea kayaking with orcas in the wild!

Sea kayaking with orca whales can be an awe-inspiring experience of a lifetime.  With weights between 5 and 9 tons and lengths of 25 to 30 feet, observing orca “killer” whales from a kayak is an unforgettable event.  Since orca are social creatures, they can be found in groups of three to 25 and more.  Their breathing sounds and underwater vocalizations make paddling with orcas an audio as well as visual extravaganza.   Past expeditions have witnessed orcas spy-hopping, breaching, lobtailing, hunting or sleeping (I know it sounds funny, but watching whales sleep is one of the most amazing things you will ever witness)!  Come join me for a sea kayaking with orca whale wildlife encounter that you will remember forever! 

While observing whales my groups follow Sound Watch and NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service)  guidelines.

In addition, my three and four day trips traverse a popular minke whale feeding ground and explore channels inhabited by Dall’s and harbor porpoise. Other wildlife you may see:

  • Common to occasional sightings: harbor seal, mink, raccoon, deer, big-horned sheep (imported), Sitka deer (imported), prong-horned antelope (imported) and red-tailed fox.
  • Occasional to rare sightings: California sea lions, stellar sea lions, gray whales, elephant seals.

“After all the other wildlife we’d seen on the trip, the orcas were icing on the cake! The memories of their glistening backs, the metallic ‘whoosh’ of their breathing, the newborn calf will be with me forever.  Thanks to you, Tim, we had a front row seat in the bull kelp!  Your knowledge of the whales and their habits made it so that we had the best of all vantage points!  Your expertise gave all of us the experience of a lifetime!  Thank you.”
                                                                                 Linda Ewing
                                                                                 Chebeague Island, ME