As soon as you step off the ferry in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island you are immersed in all things whales. Whale watch and research vessels are bobbing in the harbor. Kayak and whale watch tour offices line the streets together with cafes, restaurants and galleries.

San Juan Island is one of the top whale watching destinations in the world. Sometimes whales even frolic in the harbor of our little coastal town.  Other times, whales cross paths with the Washington State Ferry, the sweetest traffic delay you will ever experience. Most often, though, they are seen on the Westside of the island, where the water is very deep and full of nutrients. We islanders love them, we deeply respect them and we invite you to courteously observe the gentle giants while visiting our lovely island. Here are our tips to make your whale watching experience the most rewarding, considerate and fun:

It’s that time of the year, when the veil between the living and the spirits is said to be the thinnest, when we light fires and lanterns, wear masks and costumes to ward of the ghosts, when we remember our dead and our saints and plead with them to let us make it safely through another Winter.