3-Day Audubon Birdwatching Cruise
Join the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society on an amazing three-day birdwatching and wildlife cruise in the San Juan Islands of Washington State.
Upcoming Tours
April 11-13, 2023
Round TRIP FARES
Double Occupancy per person (be sure to reserve 2):
$1395
Single Occupancy per person:
$1595
King Suite Upgrade: $350
DURATION
3 Days/2 Nights
Days will be spent viewing wildlife onboard the MV Glacier Spirit. We will spend our nights on San Juan Island in historic Roche Harbor.
The San Juan Islands are famous worldwide as National Geographic’s #3 World Travel Destination, and our tour will connect you with the best of the San Juan Island experience.
AMAZING WILDLIFE
The waters around the San Juan Islands are home to orcas (killer whales), minke whales, gray whales, humpback whales, Steller sea lions, porpoise, otters, and a dizzying array of seabirds. Tour Naturalist Bob Boekelheide (formerly Director of the Dungeness River Audubon Center) will be pointing out all the birds for us. In addition to wildlife and bird watching, we will tour fascinating sites on San Juan Island, as well as visit Deception Pass near Whidbey Island.
Wonderful Boat Trip!
We spent 3 days cruising the San Juan Islands looking at seabirds, whales, and wildlife. It was a wonderful time. The crew made sure we were well fed and well-cared for. The captain was professional and very safety-conscious. We had a professional bird guide to help us with sea birds. A wonderful trip all around.
Comfort
The MV Glacier Spirit is perhaps the most comfortable wildlife vessel in the Pacific Northwest. It features comfortable indoor seating for everyone, a wrap-around outside viewing deck, as well as a snack bar and restroom. Along with viewing whales, we often find bald eagles, harbor seals, California and Steller sea lions, tufted puffins and many other species of marine life.
Our Itinerary
Day One
We’ll leave Sequim, WA at 10am on Day One, and cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which is bordered by three mountain ranges, the Olympic Peninsula, and the San Juan Islands. It is one of the most beautiful seas to cross in the world.
Along the way, we will point out many seabirds and mammals that frequent these waters. Depending on where the orcas are traveling that day, we may also be fortunate to see them in transit. We’ll have breakfast and lunch on-board.
Each night we’ll be staying on San Juan Island. For our April cruise, we’ll stay in Roche Harbor – in 1886, a sleepy Hudson Bay camp that was transformed into a full-fledged lime works and company town. Today because of it’s beauty and location to Canada, Roche Harbor is the most popular boating resort in the Pacific Northwest and the Resort is renowned as the centerpiece of this harbor.
After arrival at our evening destination, you will have plenty of time to explore the scenery on your own. Hiking, kayak and bike rentals, tennis and swimming, are all possibilities for you to enjoy. Dinner is on your own in the evening.
Day Two
On Day 2 we’ll board the Glacier Spirit at 9:30 for a wonderful day of sightseeing through the San Juan Islands. We will journey to famous Sucia Island State Park for 2 hours of walking and wildlife spotting.
Sucia Island State Park is a 564-acre marine park with 77,700 feet of shoreline. It is considered the crown jewel of the state’s marine park system and is consistently ranked as one of the top boating destinations in the world. The shoreline is famous for its evocative, highly eroded sandstone formations – with cliffs, hoodoos, arches, and caves. Sucia Island is also a tremendous viewing area for seals, porpoise, eagles, seabirds, and whales.
Upon arrival at Sucia, a sack lunch is provided for you as you explore the island for the next two hours. We’ll return to San Juan Island at 4:30 where you can enjoy the late afternoon and dinner on your own.
Day Three
On Day 3, we begin our return loop back to Sequim. We’ll say goodbye to San Juan Island at 9am. We will head on a new course through the islands, south through the Swinomish Slough and on through Deception Pass. Wildlife should be plentiful and the scenery simply stunning. After taking in the historic La Conner waterfront and the nearby tidelands, soaking in the views and the endless variety of shorebirds, we will journey through the wild tide currents of Deception Pass.
Back out on Strait of Juan de Fuca we will head south past Smith Island Marine Sanctuary – an island in the middle of the sea that is home to thousands of seabirds and mammals. Weather permitting, we expect to arrive in Sequim at 3pm.
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 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 some of the highest concentration 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 makes 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 Chilkat Express are sound-proofed, hydrofoil jet boats with no propellers, making them the quietest vessels in the whale watch fleet.
Learn about our practices and our conservation partners.
Things to Know
This Tour Departs from Sequim, WA
2577 W Sequim Bay Rd, Sequim, WA 98382
We will depart from the John Wayne Marina. Look for the person holding a clipboard at the top of the ramp.
Checking-in
Passengers must be checked-in no later than 30 minutes prior to sailing. Boarding closes 15 minutes before departure. If you are traveling from out of the area please bear in mind that ferries and bridge openings can make the trip slightly longer than map and GPS software might indicate!
Changes/Cancellations
For multi-day excursions, any cancellation of a confirmed reservation 30 days prior to departure is fully-refundable, less a $10 cancellation fee. Inside of 30 days, there are no refunds available. (A tour reservation is considered confirmed once payment is processed OR you receive a confirmation email.)
Rescheduling
Outside of our 30 day cancellation policy rescheduling can be made and accommodated. Inside of 30 days, rescheduling can be requested and at the discretion of the office and our ability to re-sell. If approved a $10/person change fee is applied to the booking.
A Great Gift
Our 3-day cruise is a great opportunity to see what makes this part of the country so special. And it makes for one terrific anniversary experience!
Package Inclusions
Three days aboard Glacier Spirit
Breakfasts; Lunch aboard the vessel
Two nights accommodation at Roche Harbor Resort.
Sequim – John Wayne Marina Parking
The Glacier Spirit will dock adjacent to the North lot opposite the Main Building in the boat launch area (as you enter the marina, go left). It will be easily visible from the water side of the north lot. If you wish, you may drop your luggage at the vessel; then proceed to the South lot for parking. Please allow time to park and walk to the boat. Parking is free!
Health & Safety
Our family is committed to ensuring that your trip with us is as safe as possible.
- Per State mandate, masks are required of ALL passengers while inside our boats, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.
- COVID-19 vaccines are not required to join our tours, but we encourage all who are eligible to receive them.