It has been another fantastic summer of Orca whale watching at Clipper Vacations and we are always a little sad to see the season come to an end. September 25 marks the last day of this year to get a glimpse of these Northwest residents (and some visitors), so if you have not made the trip yet now is the time to do it. So far this year, our boat has reported whale sightings on 97% of the sailings and there have been some spectacular shows. Read the rest of this entry »
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Clipper’s first Orca Whale Watching trip of the season on the Victoria Clipper III is next weekend and we are really anxious to see what are favorite residents are up to from pods J, K and L and maybe spot some new visitors. To celebrate the start of the season, Clipper is offering day trips from Seattle to the San Juans including a 2.5 hour whale and sealife search for only $49 per adult plus kids FREE Monday-Thursday, May 23-June 30.
In previous years, there has been a 96% rate of whale sightings and as always, a naturalist is on board to guide you on your excursion and answer any questions you may have about the Puget Sound’s sealife. You will also receive a full color informational guidebook and you’ll want to keep that handy for your stopover in Friday Harbor when you are searching for things to do.
San Juan hotel packages are also available in conjunction with this offer plus additional tours. For more information on this limited time offer and to book, please visit http://www.clippervacations.com/san_juan_islands/.
Tags: best whale watching, Kids Free, orca whale watching, orca whale watching tours, orcas, whale watch tours, whale watching cruise, Whale Watching from Seattle, whale watching in seattle, whales watching
Moving a 35 ton 50 foot mass 10,000 miles is a mighty journey by any standard, yet the magnificent Gray Whale does just that every year on a round trip migration from Baja Mexico to Alaska. Lucky for us Northwestern’s, Washington’s coastal waters get a yearly visit from the mighty Gray Whales, stopping near our shores to feed on small crustaceans found in the mud.
Gray Whales typically start to make their appearance in the Puget Sound area in the beginning of March and we continue to see them into May. According to the Orca Networks Sightings Report, some of the first Gray Whales of the season were just spotted!
After some very successful Gray Whale trips in 2010 with 100% sightings, Clipper Vacations is continuing to offer Gray Whale Watching tours from Seattle in 2011 leaving from the Victoria Clipper docks on Saturdays and Sundays, March 19-May 15. Trips include a round trip cruise from Seattle to Victoria on the Victoria Clipper III, a guided Gray Whale and sea life search plus a 2 hour stop in the town of Coupeville, WA.
Coupeville is well known for its deliciously famous Penne Cove Mussels. I always stop in at Toby’s Tavern for some followed Kapaw’s Iskreme for desert. While enjoying an ice cream cone, I also make a point to stop in historic red wharf building where they have a Gray Whale skeleton on view. Coupeville has become when of my favorite Washington State towns to visit and I always look forward to return visits.
Gray Whale Watching season in the Northwest is here for only a short time and I am truly looking forward to my chance to see them this year. Bring the whole family and enjoy a day of 35 tons of fun!
Gray Whale Watching from Seattle details:
- Adults from $35 (Save by booking online or with advance purchase)
- Kids Free! (One per paying adult, additional children $22)
- Runs Saturdays and Sundays March 19-May 15
- Catch the Clipper in dowtown Seattle at 9:00am and returns at approximately 4:00pm
- Round trip service to Coupeville on Whidbey Island with a 2 hour stop and a 1 hour guided Gray Whale & Sea Life Search
- 100% Gray Whale sightings 2010
- Great viewing decks on the Clipper III
Tags: Coupeville, Gray Whale Watching, Kids Free, Whale Watching from Seattle, Whidbey Island
It has been a magnificent season of San Juan Islands Whale Watching at Clipper Vacations filled with many great trips. For the months of July and August there have been 98% whale sightings, not to mention plenty of other sealife spotted including one hitchhiker! Unfortunately, San Juan Whale Watching season will soon come to an end along with the summer but it is not too late to go; Clipper Vacations is offering great end of season deals between now and September 26. A special rate of $70 (kids FREE!) and some special $55 days is available when you book online our San Juan Island Whale Watching Daytrips out of Seattle. Looking for a great overnight trip? San Juan Islands hotel packages with whale watching start at only $208pp/do.
Here are the details:
- Catch the Clipper in dowtown Seattle at 7:45am and returns at approximately 7:15pm
- Round-trip service to Friday Harbor via Victoria Clipper III and a 2.5 hour Whale Watching and Sealife Search
- 98% whale sightings in July & August
- Great viewing decks on the Clipper III
- Expert naturalist onboard
- 2.5 hours free time in Friday Harbor
- Food and beverages available onboard
- Complimentary San Juans Guidebook
To book online, please visit www.ClipperVacations.com.
Tags: orca whales, summer fun
My husband and I love the San Juan Islands! We’ve taken several trips to the islands over the years and have so many wonderful memories. Last Saturday, after completing our weekend chores we decided to make it a day trip to the San Juan Islands. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Anacortes, Earthbox Motel and Spa, Friday Harbor, Whale Musuem
Super 4 Day Sale! Go whale watching in the San Juan Islands this week (June 8-11) for only $25 per person. That’s a $45 savings!
The Orca whales are out and about -last Saturday a harbor seal jumped onto the Clipper to avoid a group of transient Orca whales that were circling the boat. Read the full story at the Times Colonist.
Photo: Times Colonist
So if you are thinking about going whale watching this summer – this is the week to go! Leave from downtown Seattle on the Victoria Clipper III, head to Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands and begin your search for Orca whales and other sealife.
Tomorrow’s weather forecast is sunny with a high of 70°F. But the whales don’t mind the weather – they’re out rain or shine. Don’t think twice – Book today!
Last Friday we kicked-off San Juan Whale Watching season at Clipper Vacations and there has already been plenty of exciting sealife spotted including transient Orcas, Gray Whales, and a rare sighting of a Humpback Whale, not to leave out the bald eagles and porpoise!
San Juan Islands
It was a great weekend of whale watching in the beautiful San Juans but there is a lot more to see and do while you are there in addition to a whale and sealife search. And there are a lot of fun ways to get around. Here are a few of my favorite modes of transportation in the San Juans:
Aerial view of Friday Harbor
Condé Nast Traveler voted Victoria, British Columbia, as one of the world’s top 10 cities to visit and it’s also located on Vancouver Island, voted the 2nd top island in North America. Pack your bags and go on board the Victoria Clipper!
Clipper Vacations has a best rate guarantee, Read the rest of this entry »
And… we’re off!
If it’s May at the Clipper Vacations it must mean we’re getting ready to start up our Orca whale watching and ferry service to the San Juan Islands. We took a year off last year when we leased our San Juan boat, the Victoria Clipper III, to the U.S. Navy, so everyone’s excited to get back to the San Juans.
The Victoria Clipper III will start daily service to the San Juan Islands on May 21st right from our own Pier 69 in downtown Seattle with service to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Because we leave directly from Seattle, our Whale and Sealife Search has become very popular with locals and tourists alike. The Clipper III has great viewing decks both inside and outside, plus there’s food, beverages, and gift shop items available onboard. Our whale watching day trip is a great way to spice up any summer day and kids are FREE.*
A little hint: If you can get away for a day or two think about making it an overnight trip. We have great deals on overnight packages to the San Juan Islands which will give you more time to explore the island.
Another hint: The San Juan day trip is great for Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: gift shop, Ivars, orca whale watching, San Juan Islands
Photo: Jason Mihok
We’ve completed a successful season of Gray Whale Watching! We even had a day of bonus whale watching with transient Orcas in Possession Sound. Many of the days we got good long looks at Stellar Sea Lions hauled-out on a navigational buoy. The people of Coupeville, Whidbey Island were warm and welcoming. Each stop in town we enjoyed the Olympic Mountain’s rain shadow effect that brings more sunshine and drier weather to Northern Whidbey Island.
Photo: Jason Mihok
We look forward to seeing our Gray Whale regular visitors, like Patch and Dubknuck, next year. We’d love to see you next year too!
If you missed out on Gray Whales, we’ll be starting up our San Juan – Orca Whale Watching trip May 21.
Tags: Coupeville, gray whales, Whale Watching
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