Seattle (Edmonds) Whale Watching Tours
Orcas, humpbacks, gray whales, and more! Seattle’s most popular, well reviewed whale watching tours, departing from Edmonds, just north of downtown Seattle.
Seattle (Edmonds)
Half Day Whale Watching Tour
April – December
See orcas, humpback whales, gray whales, minke whales and more. Seattle’s most popular, well-reviewed whale watching tour connects you with whales throughout the Salish Sea. Morning and afternoon departures; we guarantee you’ll see whales!
Seattle (Edmonds)
San Juan Island Whale Watching Tour
May – September
New in 2026! Seattle’s only all-day whale watching tour that stops on San Juan Island. This new tour is a true day-trip adventure—whales, scenery, and a chance to visit Friday Harbor all in one itinerary. See orcas, humpbacks, minke whales, and much more!
Seattle (Edmonds)
Gray Whale Watching
Tour
February – March
See gray whales on their annual migration from the Baja Peninsula to the Bering Sea. During their 10,000-mile journey, they make a detour into Puget Sound to feed on the ample ghost shrimp found here. This 2.5-hour tour is an amazing opportunity to learn about these gentle giants.
Whales We See
Bigg’s Orcas (aka Transients)
Bigg’s orcas are apex predators – mammal-eating orcas that feed on a variety of prey – from harbor seals to sea lions, and even dolphins and small whales. Bigg’s orcas generally travel in small groups, usually of two to six animals, and can range from Southern California up to the Arctic Circle. These are the orcas that we see most often in the Salish Sea, and they often put on quite a show after they complete a successful hunting foray! Bigg’s orcas are named in honor of cetologist Michael Bigg.
Gray Whales
The gray whale is a species of baleen whale with a dark slate-gray color and is frequently covered by gray/white scars left by parasites which drop off in its cold feeding grounds. Grays have two blowholes on top of their head, which can create a distinctive heart-shaped blow at the surface. Adults range in length from 43–49 feet and weigh up to 40 tons. Each spring, gray whales migrate from the southern waters near Baja, north to Alaska. A small group of Grays nicknamed “Sounders” often turn east into Washington’s inland waters during the spring northern migration.
Humpback whales
The humpback whale is a species of baleen whale and has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. They are known for breaching and other distinctive surface behaviors. Adults range in length from 39–52 feet and weigh nearly 40 tons. Their diet consists mostly of krill and small fish. Until commercial whaling was banned in 1996, humpbacks were nearly hunted to extinction. They have rebounded, however, and we are thrilled to have them back in our neighborhood.
Minke whales
The elusive minke whale is among the smallest of the baleen whales. Previously known as a ‘piked whale’ or ‘lesser finback’, the minke has a dark gray back and white undersides. Their pectoral fins have a distinctive white patch or band. Minkes range in length from 23-33 feet and weigh up to 10 tons. Minke whales are widely distributed throughout the North Pacific and Atlantic oceans. They migrate seasonally from polar feeding grounds to equatorial waters, where they breed and calve. Minkes feed on small schooling fish, crustaceans, and plankton.
The Hanke Family
from our family to yours
Three generations of our family have helped visitors have life-changing experiences with some of the most majestic creatures on the planet. We’re blessed to live in what’s been called “the American Serengeti,” with one of the highest concentrations of whales and dolphins and sea life anywhere in the world — including our totem species, the orca. Few people know these waters like we do. Our experience and dedication make it possible for us to guarantee that you’ll see whales on your trip — or we’ll give you another trip absolutely free.
Whale-wise Whale Watching
Puget Sound Express is a proud member of the Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA), dedicated to responsible, sustainable marine wildlife viewing and conservation in the Pacific Northwest. We’re also dedicated to reducing our footprint out there. The Saratoga and Swiftsure are soundproofed, hydrofoil jet boats with no propellers, making them the quietest vessels in the whale watch fleet.
Latest News
Learning through play with the T36s!
School is in session, and today’s lesson is all about learning through play! On our September 16 Half-Day Tour from Edmonds, guests and crew enjoyed a delightfully playful scene: T36B4 Auk (born in 2024) and T36B1A Maple (born in 2025) playing hard in Port Susan while...
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