Seattle (Edmonds) – San Juan Island Whale Watching Tour
New in 2026! Guaranteed whale watching with a two-hour lunch stop in Friday Harbor, on San Juan Island.
Upcoming Tours
May 1 – September 7, 2026
10am daily departures
(No tours Tuesday/Wednesday)
Round Trip Fares
Adult: $235; Child (2-10): $185
Infants: FREE
DURATION
Average tour time is 8 hours, including a two-hour lunch stop in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island. We most often sail the Chilkat Express for this tour.
Amazing Value
Our full-day San Juan Island whale watching tour is the perfect combination of wildlife, and scenery; a true day-trip adventure! See orcas, humpbacks, gray whales, and so much more. Cruising on the jet-powered Chilkat Express, enjoy whale watching with an on-board naturalist, as well as a two-hour lunch stop on beautiful San Juan Island. We visit the popular town of Friday Harbor for shopping, island cuisine, and sightseeing.
Great Experience!
So much fun, and the guides were great. I recommend this trip and the time at Friday Harbor. Exploring the harbor once there was great. [The trip is] great for people of all ages. We were able to see lots of wildlife including orcas and a humpback whale, which breached…
Comfort
Our vessel features an outside viewing deck, as well as a snack bar and restroom. Don’t miss our signature, freshly-baked “blueberry buckle!” 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 trained naturalist guides you through the many sites along the way, and if the whales are “talking,” you’ll be able to hear them on our hydrophone.
Explore Friday Harbor
Our full-day tour includes a 2-hour lunch stop on Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Learn more about out the trip!
The Olympic Mountains
As we leave Port Townsend view the beautiful mountains of Olympic National Park
Protection Island
Our exact route depends on where the whales are that day, but we often visit Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge to view birds, including tufted puffins.
Entering Friday Harbor
Around lunch time, we make our way to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, for a 2-hour lunch stop.
Spring Street Landing
We typically dock at Spring Street Landing in Friday Harbor.
Welcome to Friday Harbor
Welcome to Friday Harbor!
Visitor Information Center
Our crew can help you decide what to see, but another excellent resource is the Friday Harbor Visitor Information Center.
Center for Whale Research
Don’t miss the Center for Whale Research.
Whale Museum
If you love whales, you’ll love The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor.
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 Swiftsure are sound-proofed, hydrofoil jet boats with no propellers, making them the quietest vessels in the whale watch fleet.
Things to Know
Where do Edmonds tours depart from?
459 Admiral Way, Edmonds, WA
We are located at the Port of Edmonds, across the street from Anthony’s Homeport Restaurant in parking lot 8 – look for “Whale Watching, Check In Here.”
Parking is available at the Port of Edmonds, however due to a strict 3 hour limit on all spaces within the port a parking permit is required. Permits are $15.00 and can be purchased when making your reservation or when you check-in. Purchased parking permits are handed to you at check-in to be placed in your vehicle window.
Check-in and boarding
Travelers are required to be checked-in no later than 30 minutes prior to sailing. Boarding closes 15 minutes before departure. If guests are not checked in by this time, tickets will be cancelled with no refund or ability to reschedule.
Puget Sound Express is not responsible for traffic, ferry disruptions, or bridge closures. Please ensure enough travel time to account for the unexpected.
Changes/Cancellations
Our cancellation policy is 48 hours prior to a tour’s departure time. A tour is confirmed when a confirmation email has been received OR payment has been processed. Prior to 48 hours from departure, any cancellation of a confirmed reservation is fully refundable, less a $10 processing fee. Inside of 48 hours to departure, reservations are non-refundable. This includes all tours booked online within 48 hours of departure.
Rescheduling
Outside of 48 hours from the tour, rescheduling can be made at any time. Inside of 48 hours to the tour, rescheduling can be requested and at the discretion of the office and upcoming availability to approve. If approved a $10/person change fee is charged to the booking.
Get to Know Edmonds!
Art galleries, performance halls, an historic downtown with sandy beaches – Edmonds is a terrific play to stop, breathe, and linger! Learn more.
We Guarantee You’ll See Whales
The Salish Sea is home to an astonishing variety of whales, including orcas, humpbacks, gray whales, and minke whales. With thousands of departures over 40 years, our local knowledge is unmatched. As a result, our success rate is the best in the industry. If you don’t see whales on your whale watching tour, we will gladly give you a voucher for a cruise on a later date – no questions, no hassles. Guarantee is not valid for split trips, specific whale species, or cash back.
Are you traveling with an infant?
Children under the age of 2 can travel for free; however, if the boat is full that day, your child will be required to sit on your lap. You also have the option of purchasing a child’s rate ticket to ensure seating for your infant. NOTE: Infants must be included in your reservation.
No Car?
No problem – Dial up a taxi, Uber or Lyft to get dropped off right at our check-in kiosk.
Motion Sickness
The waterways we travel on are relatively calm, and our boats are quite stable and comfortable. However if you are prone to motion sickness we strongly recommend preparing for your trip with us. Over the counter remedies like Dramamine work best when used prior to departure. Learn more.
Latest News
Now Booking: Seattle (Edmonds) All-Day Tour!
Hey Seattle, want to check out the San Juan Islands AND see whales? Good news, we’re launching a NEW all-day whale-watching tour from our Seattle (Edmonds) location with a two-hour lunch stopover in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island Starting on May 1st, guests will be...
Email Newsletter
Get the latest updates on the whales we’re seeing as well as tour updates and announcements. We send 1-2 emails/month. We respect your time and privacy; we will never share your email.