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10 Day San Juan’s Itinerary
- Thread starter thechadmiller
- Start date
Hey Joe, I think you found the missing link :wink:
Jim, thanks, you really do have a gift, and like you said, having a schedule makes you look at how to get from A to B by not doing the shortest way sometimes. Might even have to include C, D, E, F and X,Y, Z too.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Jim, thanks, you really do have a gift, and like you said, having a schedule makes you look at how to get from A to B by not doing the shortest way sometimes. Might even have to include C, D, E, F and X,Y, Z too.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
rbfconstruction
New member
Hi folks, I didn't know if I should start another thread, but had a question. I am not familiar at all with the area. My wife and her sisters are wanting to see orcas and planning a trip to Washington State. Wondering what time of the year they would likely have the best success and what is the best location ?
You guys have never let me down, so I told my wife I would ask.
ps- Went fishing yesterday out of Long Beach. No more rain for a while. It was the nicest day I have ever had on the water. Fish...not so good. I did get to tow a fellow boater a few miles though.
Richard
You guys have never let me down, so I told my wife I would ask.
ps- Went fishing yesterday out of Long Beach. No more rain for a while. It was the nicest day I have ever had on the water. Fish...not so good. I did get to tow a fellow boater a few miles though.
Richard
Definitely San Juan Islands, Washington, for the US. The easiest is to take the ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor. Lime Kiln Point State Park on San Juan Island has always produced for me to view from land. Been there lots of time and always seen them. If you put a kayak on your car you can paddle out into and hang in the kelp and watch them swim by at a few hundred to a few yards. Some people paddle out into them, but this could be come like "swimming with dolphins". It is not good or legal to pursue them in a boat. Orcas are, however, very friendly, and I have had them pass underneath my boat when fishing and put on a show nearby. You can get at any number of tour boats from Friday Harbor city on San Juan Island. Summer is, of course, most popular. We've seen orcas and humpbacks down here at Anderson Island, but this is fairly uncommon.
smckean (Tosca)
New member
Depending on your normal boating grounds, a big difference cruising in the San Juans is ROCKS. They are not a problem per se, but you do need to be diligent about watching your chart plotter or charts.
I sailed many years in San Francisco Bay where you don't even think about hitting a rock unless you are very close to shore. In the SJs there can be a rock almost anywhere. Most are well marked, but in coves etc they might not be. Basically all are on the charts.
I sailed many years in San Francisco Bay where you don't even think about hitting a rock unless you are very close to shore. In the SJs there can be a rock almost anywhere. Most are well marked, but in coves etc they might not be. Basically all are on the charts.
rbfconstruction":3vvboymo said:Hi folks, I didn't know if I should start another thread, but had a question. I am not familiar at all with the area. My wife and her sisters are wanting to see orcas and planning a trip to Washington State. Wondering what time of the year they would likely have the best success and what is the best location ?
You guys have never let me down, so I told my wife I would ask.
ps- Went fishing yesterday out of Long Beach. No more rain for a while. It was the nicest day I have ever had on the water. Fish...not so good. I did get to tow a fellow boater a few miles though.
Richard
Having driven whale watch boats for 5 years, I'm pretty familiar with the whale watching in the San Juan Islands. If your wife doesn't want to take the ferry to Friday Harbor, there is a whale watch company in Anacortes. I have to admit some bias, but San Juan Safaris in Friday Harbor would be my recommendation; good boats, good staff. Professional captains and naturalists onboard who have a degree in environmental science (many hold a marine biology degree).
Rather than drive your car to Friday Harbor, I suggest that you park the car at the ferry landing in Anacortes, walk on the ferry, and enjoy a very pleasant boat ride through the San Juans (22 miles from Anacortes to Friday Harbor). The San Juan Safaris office is in the lower level of the new building on the waterfront (take a right when you get off the ferry - you can see it from the ferry). Definitely make a reservation. Unless you plan to stay overnight on San Juan Island, there is little reason to pay to take a car on the ferry. Friday Harbor is very "walkable," and there are great restaurants and shops within two blocks of the ferry landing.
Lime Kiln State Park is on the other side of the island. You will pay $10 to take your car into the park. My experience with viewing whales from Lime Kiln is different from Rob's - they keep track of days that they see whales from the park, and there are more days they don't than do. Contrary to what you might read, the Orcas do not "hang out on the west side of San Juan Island" - they travel 70 to 100 miles per day in search of food... the professional operators work together for spotting and report to each other. Your chances of seeing Orcas are much better on a whale watch boat than from any particular place on land.
That said, if your wife and her sisters want a spectacular experience and are staying in the Seattle area, San Juan Safaris can arrange a "Whale Plane" trip, where they will fly out of Seattle on a sea plane, land in Friday Harbor, walk from the sea plane dock to the San Juan Safaris office and check in. If they want to stay overnight on San Juan Island, there are some great hotels and B&Bs in easy walking distance from the ferry landing or the sea plane dock. Joan and I have done the sea plane a few times, and it is a fun trip.
While Orcas can be seen at any time in the area, the chances are better from May through September. Also understand that there are times when there are no Orcas in the area (San Juan Safaris has a 90% whale sighting record)... you may see humpback whales, Minke whales, Stellar Sea Lions, seals, bald eagles, and some absolutely gorgeous scenery.
Don't expect to have whales swim up to the boat. Federal regulation requires that boats (kayaks, too) stay 200 yards from Orcas, and the professional captains will get you as close as legally possible. You want to ride with a company that practices respectful wildlife viewing, with knowledgeable crew - it will definitely add to the experience and give you the opportunity to learn more about the wildlife and ask questions.
Seeing Orcas (and other wildlife) in their environment is a very special experience. When you understand the plight of the Southern Resident Killer Whales, you will have a different appreciation for their situation. The transient Orcas are often in the area - they are the mammal eaters. It is amazing to see them hunt together. Both are very intelligent mammals. Some researchers say that Orcas are the "second smartest mammals on Earth"... having spent a lot of time around them, I am inclined to move them up a notch. :wink: They are social and very family oriented - knowledgeable staff on a whale watch will tell you more about these spectacular mammals.
Your wife and her sisters are in for a treat if they can make this happen.
Best wishes,
Jim
[/quote]
Federal regulation requires that boats (kayaks, too) stay 200 yards from Orcas, and the professional captains will get you as close as legally possible. You want to ride with a company that practices respectful wildlife viewing, with knowledgeable crew... When you understand the plight of the Southern Resident Killer Whales, you will have a different appreciation for their situation... I am inclined to move them up a notch. :wink: [/quote]
:thup :thup :thup As a resident of the San Juan Islands, I really appreciate your above words. The resident population (orcas that is) are a bit stress these last few years perhaps due to declining chinook salmon and it has been feared that their populations may be declining.
Federal regulation requires that boats (kayaks, too) stay 200 yards from Orcas, and the professional captains will get you as close as legally possible. You want to ride with a company that practices respectful wildlife viewing, with knowledgeable crew... When you understand the plight of the Southern Resident Killer Whales, you will have a different appreciation for their situation... I am inclined to move them up a notch. :wink: [/quote]
:thup :thup :thup As a resident of the San Juan Islands, I really appreciate your above words. The resident population (orcas that is) are a bit stress these last few years perhaps due to declining chinook salmon and it has been feared that their populations may be declining.
JamesTXSD":3ovtupkn said:... My experience with viewing whales from Lime Kiln is different from Rob's - they keep track of days that they see whales from the park, and there are more days they don't than do. Contrary to what you might read, the Orcas do not "hang out on the west side of San Juan Island" - they travel 70 to 100 miles per day in search of food... the professional operators work together for spotting and report to each other. Your chances of seeing Orcas are much better on a whale watch boat than from any particular place on land....
Last time I was a Lime Kiln Park (many years ago), we happened to see the Orcas swim by. However, that was the first day they'd been there for over a month. It was some time before they were seen there again after that.
We were quite lucky that we were there at the right time.
Federal regulation requires that boats (kayaks, too) stay 200 yards from Orcas, and the professional captains will get you as close as legally possible. You want to ride with a company that practices respectful wildlife viewing, with knowledgeable crew... When you understand the plight of the Southern Resident Killer Whales, you will have a different appreciation for their situation... I am inclined to move them up a notch. :wink: [/quote]
:thup :thup :thup As a resident of the San Juan Islands, I really appreciate your above words. The resident population (orcas that is) are a bit stress these last few years perhaps due to declining chinook salmon and it has been feared that their populations may be declining.[/quote]
The sad fact is: we may be witnessing the extinction of the Southern Resident Killer Whales. With a recent birth, there are only 75 of these mammals left. There are few females of breeding age and the infant mortality rate of these animals is high. The mothers pass toxicity to the newborn calf. The last year I worked there, the salmon run was 7% of normal. Yes, that is down 93%. These animals have to go further to find their food source. Diminishing returns.
Due to PCBs and other toxins in the water (plastics, fertilizers, etc), this population is in dire straits. Some people will tell you "it is because of boaters in the area." Research hasn't shown that to be the case. If their food source is decimated, combined with the toxicity, it doesn't look promising. The birth of a new calf is something to celebrate... but more than 50% of first-born calves don't survive that first year.
Respectful whale viewing means staying at the proper distance (200 yards lateral, 400 yards in front or behind - or more); keeping your speed to 6 knots or less when within a half mile of Orcas. Turn off your depth sounder when in the vicinity of whales. Make sure your engine/exhaust is not polluting. It is not legal to move ahead of where the whales are going and shutting down to "let them come to you." If you are within 200 yards, you are potentially going to be cited and fined. NOAA is looking to show that they are enforcing the rules. If a whale is heading towards you, you are expected to move slowly out of their path. If you and your buddies are fishing out of your boat, that isn't the same thing as "a fishing vessel"... you are supposed to move away from the whales. I have no dog in this fight, so no need to cuss me out on this - I'm just relating how the regulations work.
Some have tried to turn this situation political. I stay out of that.
On the other hand, transient Orcas (also known as Biggs Killer Whales) are increasing in numbers. Their food sources (seals, sea lions, harbor porpoise, Minke whales - other marine mammals) are, likewise, increasing.
Whale watching with a professional operator is more than just looking at wildlife - it is also educational and enlightening. The more people who understand what is really happening with these Resident Orcas, the better for a hope for improvement of their plight.
:thup :thup :thup As a resident of the San Juan Islands, I really appreciate your above words. The resident population (orcas that is) are a bit stress these last few years perhaps due to declining chinook salmon and it has been feared that their populations may be declining.[/quote]
The sad fact is: we may be witnessing the extinction of the Southern Resident Killer Whales. With a recent birth, there are only 75 of these mammals left. There are few females of breeding age and the infant mortality rate of these animals is high. The mothers pass toxicity to the newborn calf. The last year I worked there, the salmon run was 7% of normal. Yes, that is down 93%. These animals have to go further to find their food source. Diminishing returns.
Due to PCBs and other toxins in the water (plastics, fertilizers, etc), this population is in dire straits. Some people will tell you "it is because of boaters in the area." Research hasn't shown that to be the case. If their food source is decimated, combined with the toxicity, it doesn't look promising. The birth of a new calf is something to celebrate... but more than 50% of first-born calves don't survive that first year.
Respectful whale viewing means staying at the proper distance (200 yards lateral, 400 yards in front or behind - or more); keeping your speed to 6 knots or less when within a half mile of Orcas. Turn off your depth sounder when in the vicinity of whales. Make sure your engine/exhaust is not polluting. It is not legal to move ahead of where the whales are going and shutting down to "let them come to you." If you are within 200 yards, you are potentially going to be cited and fined. NOAA is looking to show that they are enforcing the rules. If a whale is heading towards you, you are expected to move slowly out of their path. If you and your buddies are fishing out of your boat, that isn't the same thing as "a fishing vessel"... you are supposed to move away from the whales. I have no dog in this fight, so no need to cuss me out on this - I'm just relating how the regulations work.
Some have tried to turn this situation political. I stay out of that.
On the other hand, transient Orcas (also known as Biggs Killer Whales) are increasing in numbers. Their food sources (seals, sea lions, harbor porpoise, Minke whales - other marine mammals) are, likewise, increasing.
Whale watching with a professional operator is more than just looking at wildlife - it is also educational and enlightening. The more people who understand what is really happening with these Resident Orcas, the better for a hope for improvement of their plight.
rbfconstruction
New member
Thank you all for the great advice. Any one ever interested in Long Beach waters, or other things around the town, Please get a hold of me as I would like to return the advice.
Richard
Richard
Phil Barnes
New member
If you would like a guide book I would recommend "San Juan Islands: A Boaters Guidebook".
It has excellent info on anchoring, marinas, and hiking at various locations in the islands accessible by boat. The couple that wrote it used to be (and may still be) docents on Vendovi Island.
Available at https://www.bluelatitudepress.com/bl_sji.html and other locations.
Have a great trip. Others have given you excellent advice and local knowledge. No doubt, one trip will not be enough and you will be back for more!
It has excellent info on anchoring, marinas, and hiking at various locations in the islands accessible by boat. The couple that wrote it used to be (and may still be) docents on Vendovi Island.
Available at https://www.bluelatitudepress.com/bl_sji.html and other locations.
Have a great trip. Others have given you excellent advice and local knowledge. No doubt, one trip will not be enough and you will be back for more!