$40 for a Whale-Watching and Wildlife Cruise from San Juan Excursions (Up to $82 Value)
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- Four-hour scenic cruise
- 95% orca-sighting possibility
- Engaging, naturalist tour guide
- Picturesque scenery
While whales offer sound relationship advice and make worthy backgammon opponents, they tend to be at their best when swimming freely among the icy-cool waters of the Pacific Northwest. Today's Groupon gets you up close and personal with the beautiful beasts in their natural habitat: for $40, you get an approximately four-hour orca whale-watching cruise (up to an $82 value including tax and the port fee) from San Juan Excursions. The cruise launches from Friday Harbor, located nearly three hours north of Seattle, when you factor in driving and ferrying time on the Washington State Ferry. It is recommended that you arrive at the ferry 30 minutes early.
In the summer months, the waters around the picturesque San Juan Islands play home to about 90 wild orcas, and San Juan Excursions has managed to get the majestic mammals to appear for photo ops and autographs on about 95% of all its tours. During your approximately four-hour cruise, you'll travel among the spectacular natural beauty of the Canada-bordering strait as the friendly naturalist tour guide points out all the whales, seals, bald eagles, corgis, and blue herons that inhabit the surrounding wilderness.
Your tour will take place aboard the comfortable Odyssey, a 65-foot former Navy search-and-rescue vessel constructed in 1941. Along with two levels, padded seating, an outside deck with covered outdoor viewing areas, and comfortable indoor space complete with a snack bar and cozy seating area, the vessel is also equipped with a hydrophone that drops into water, allowing you to eavesdrop on the massive mammals as they gossip about what the dolphins wore to prom. Escape the screeching horns and obnoxious wandering carolers of the city and spend a day in the company of freed Willies with today's Groupon to San Juan Excursions.
This Groupon is not valid for Saturdays in July and August, July 4, or Labor Day.
Reviews
San Juan Excursions won first-place honors for Best Whale Watching in 2009 from CityVoters. Three TripAdvisors give it 4.5 owl eyes:
- We had an unforgettable trip which included sitings [sic] for all three pods, and a huge number of whales the entire time. I appreciated that they have binoculars on hand, since the ones I had bought were defective. – unrealjuju@gmail.com, CityVoter
- They were very knowlegable [sic] and friendly. The captain was excellent. The whole experience was such a fun one. – Krieegs, CityVoter
- Their knowledge of these creatures and their history, behavioral patterns and habits was remarkable. They are true professionals and are to be applauded. – whaletrip, TripAdvisor
Need to know info
About San Juan Excursions: Season: 4/10 - 10/15, 2019
A tiny ripple glides along the smooth-as-glass water, alerting captain Pete to the fact that he and his passengers are about to have company. Sure enough, within seconds a group of glossy black fins breaks through the sea in a silent, synchronized ballet. A native Washingtonian who has spent his entire life on the water, captain Pete orchestrates San Juan Excursions to grant guests the chance to go head-to-head with nature in moments such as these. As marine naturalists certified by the Whale Museum’s Naturalist Training Program, captain Pete’s crew of passionate guides take to the peaceful waters of the Puget Sound to entertain boatloads of guests with informative facts about area wildlife witnessed during excursions.
The team’s passion for nature informs its low-impact approach to whale and wildlife watching, which is exemplified in the Odyssey, the company's tour boat. Originally a U.S. Navy search-and-rescue vessel forged in 1941, the craft is fueled by biodiesel when possible and maintains a low propeller RPM to minimize the Bono moans it releases into the water column. Though San Juan Excursions specializes in whale watching, it also sends adventurers forth to explore the waters on their own steam during sea-kayak tours.