Highly recommend making a reservation to go whale watching. Staff are super responsive to emails and calls. Everyone was knowledgeable and friendly. Captain Daven and Sara were our guides for the trip and they were the best. Few things to know: 1) there is a restroom on board with running water but it's more for emergencies as it's really small and essentially a closet 2) they provide binoculars for your use 3) Sara took and provided high quality images for our tour 4) for our trip, they stated read more

See all

I am putting 3 stars just to comment since I did not take this trip. I was on another whale watch earlier this season and the Maya's Legacy boat was way, way too close to a humpback in a bay. It was not accidental-- they motored toward it. I was shocked. Even worse, their position was cornering the whale toward a cliff. Our boat (with Outer Island) stayed much further back and I was grateful for that. I know Mayas has a good rep, but I was upset by what I saw and tried to get a few pictures of. read more

Alan and Alex led our tour. It was so worth the price and you could tell from the beginning Alan and Alex cared that we all had a great experience. We saw 8 whales, 2 humpbacks and a family of 6 orcas. The orcas were killing a seal! The humpbacks were a mother and baby. Alex told us all about the whales and a bunch of additional wildlife that we saw. They do a great job of communicating with other boats to notify where whales are or have been seen. At the end they provide a map of where you went, names, birth years, of the whales along with Alex's professional grade photos airdropped to our phone right then and there. They both really care about the area and even stopped to pick up litter. The boat gets bumpy when its windy but we just laughed and enjoyed it. We will most likely do their tour again one day when we come back. Hands down one of my best memories in life. read more

See all

A little late writing this review, I thought I had and had never published. Fantastic experience and I would highly recommend this tour out of Friday Harbor. A small boat which lends to a more intimate experience than some of the bigger tours. The crew was very knowledgeable and had an obvious passion for the whales and wildlife, which translated into everything they did and enhanced the enjoyment of the trip. Had a great day not only seeing Orcas, but other wildlife as well. I'm planning on going out again in April as well. Just an FYI, there are two locations one in Friday Harbor, the other is still on San Juan Island just on the other side - I took the boat out of Friday harbor. I'm not sure why there are two separate listings on Yelp. read more

Maya's Legacy Whale Watching - Transient Orca Pod - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

Everything was great. Staff was welcoming and informative, and we got some great time with a few orcas. I recommend Maya's.

Absolutely extraordinary experience. Captains Jeff and April went out of their way to ensure we had plenty of time and the best spot to see whales. They took the wildlife photographs and shared the gallery at the end so we didn't need to worry about snapping photos but could absorb the experience. We had our 4 and 6 year old kids with us and both loved the experience. I'd recommend this company to anyone visiting San Juan Island! read more

Maya's Legacy Whale Watching - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

One of the BEST whale watching excursions we've been on and we've done plenty! We had the pleasure of having captain Daven and Sara. They did an amazing job teaching us and showing everything around the islands. We were lucky to go out on a clear sunny day. Ended up coming across a family of 4 killer whales and were able to follow them for hours. Such a great experience watching them in the wild and we even got to see them hunt. We also came across a ton of other wild life as well. The boat had indoor and outdoor seating which was great! read more

See all

What a phenomenal experience! Went on the 4-hour late afternoon tour. I had a feeling this might be a good time to see whales and they did not disappoint. My granddaughter was absolutely over the moon. We had whales on both sides and back and front of the boat at times. Since the capacity was limited to just 12, it made it easy to move around to different vantage points. Captain Alan and Guide April were incredibly knowledgeable and contributed so much to the entire experience. And April's photos are so professional and beautiful, so much better than my rookie attempts! Maya's provided us with a once in a lifetime experience that will always be remembered. I would strongly recommend Maya's if whale watching is on your bucket list! read more

My wife and I have tried to see orcas on two previous occasions (in Alaska and out of Victoria) with no luck. So, hats off to Jeff and Zoey at Maya's Legacy for going above and beyond to find some whales during our tour. We covered around 80 miles during the trip, including a fast b-line south for 45 minutes when one of the other operators radio's in a sighting. The various tour operators work collectively to search the area and help each other out. I highly recommend the half day trip. The smaller, faster boat makes a difference. It was plenty comfortable, and the glass cabin provides good shelter from the wind. There are no bad seats, and with so few passengers, there is no jockeying for spots. Two tips: dress warm. We went in mid July on a day forecasted to be around 70 degrees. It's definitely colder out on the water, plus the constant breeze and headwind from the moving boat. Wear something windproof on top. Secondly, consider the afternoon/evening tour. In the mornings, the tour operators are looking for the whales. By the afternoon, they should know where they are and should be able to find them more quickly. read more

See all

THIS WAS THE BEST WHALE WATCHING EVER! Jeff and April were both so knowledgable and their motto "Going the Distance" was an understatement! We had coupons for a different company that had boats for 60+ people whereas Maya's has boats for 16 only, inside and out, it was fabulous and personable. The original company saw the same humpback as we did and then turned back........Maya's no way! We went all the way to Vancouver and followed a pod of Killer Whales-----truly AWESOME! Worth the price 10 fold, thank you Jeff and April!! read more

I just returned from an incredible trip to San Juan Island and I can't recommend Maya's Legacy Whale Watching enough. We had Captain Alan and Sarah on our boat, who are both naturalists and clearly passionate about the animals and ecosystems we travelled through. Even though they must do this every day, they were still super excited to adventure out with us to see what wildlife we could find. We were amazingly lucky that we encountered several pods of killer whales that joined together so that ~18 whales were in one place. They were playing and even breaching, which was an unbelievable site. On our way back, we also encountered a smaller pod of ~4 whales who swam up ~20 feet away from our boat when we stopped. We also saw many other species of animals including a Red Fox, Harbor Seals, Sea Lions and even a Puffin, which is apparently a super rare find. Aside from the animals we got to encounter, other pros about this company include: - Small Boat, which feels more intimate - Both Inside & Outside Seating - Crew is constantly communicating with other boats and island friends to see if Orcas have been spotted anywhere, which increases your odds of being able to see them in the wild - They take photos using a nice, long lens camera and provide them to you at the end of the trip so that you can focus on being present and enjoying the wildlife yourself (vs. trying to snap pics on your phone) All in all, I'd highly recommend this specific whale watching company -- trip of a lifetime! read more

See all

Incredible tour! There had been no Orca sightings all day, but CPT Daven and Alex drove us the furthest NW they have ever been to make sure we saw Orcas. We ended up seeing "Chunk" and her three sons. Been on our bucket list for so long and they made our experience one to remember! Thank you so much!!! read more

We took 3 whale watching cruises from Friday Harbor and this one was BY FAR the best!! Capt Sarah took us to whales, harbor seals, stellar sea lions, murres, moon jellyfish, rhinoceros auklets, harbor porpoise, tufted puffins and even HORNED PUFFIN and sea otters. Sarah, Jim, Alex and Lee were so knowledgeable and worked to provide everyone with a dream trip! A++++ I highly recommend this company as a must try when in Friday Harbor! read more

Maya's Legacy Whale Watching - The boat - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

I've been on a few whale watching excursions and this was the BEST! We saw Orcas and Humpbacks up close and personal. It was amazing. Our Captains Jeff and April were knowledgable and obviously love what they do. read more

Absolutely amazing!!! We have been whale watching for over 30 years and we have never had such a pleasant experience. The crew, the boat, the beautiful scenery and of course the Orcas and other whales. I would gladly to it again tomorrow. read more

Took a cruise on 7/6 with Captain David and Alex. We also went on a cruise with Captain David and Sarah last year. I cannot say enough about how amazing the experience is with Maya's Legacy. We were fortunate to see orcas both times, but even IF you don't (and that is a big if considering they are well above 95% success rate to find them), you will have an incredible time seeing many other types of wildlife. The crew is passionate about the care of the wildlife in the San Juan Islands. They clearly love these animals and have so much respect for their habitats. They are also incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the islands, the terrain, etc. We learned so much on both trips. I wouldn't look any further, just book with Maya's Legacy. You will not be disappointed! read more

First things first--bring binoculars if possible! They do have some on the boat, but it is much easier to carry your own. Captain Jeff and guide April did an amazing job leading the tour. They were knowledgeable, passionate, and extremely friendly. We didn't get to see any orca but did see humpback whales, wild goats, bald eagles, and lots of coastal wildlife around the islands. They have a smaller boat so the view was great for everyone. What makes all these even better is that April somehow managed to pull off some INCOMPARABLE shots and shared them with us after the tour. Would highly recommend this to anyone who visits San Juan Island. read more

Maya's Legacy Whale Watching - Humpback whale - wow! - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

AMAZING!!!! I just came back from a weekend in Friday Harbor and went out whale watching with Maya's Legacy on Friday and Saturday. WOW!! What wonderful people and service. My friend lives on the Island and this is who she goes to for all of her trips! April was a very knowledgeable and fun naturalist and Daven was a great Captain on Friday in our smaller more intimate trip. We saw about 18-19 Orcas belonging to 3-4 pods. AMAZING. They were socializing and playful. On Saturday we went on the J2 which was a larger vessel but faster, with Sarah and (forgot the Captain's name) and off we went into the deep sea all the way by Vancouver to find whales. We found about 5 of them foraging/hunting for food so their behavior was very different than the 1st trip, but still exciting and fun. The crew were knowledgeable and fun. We will have to come back! read more

Maya's Legacy Whale Watching - T Pod - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

See all

Going the distance indeed! After 2 years of telling the tales of my first excursion with Maya's Legacy, I have finally returned to do it again! After a long drive from Los Angeles, I feel like I've just arrived home. The crew welcomed us with open arms & were ready to deliver the customer service, sights & sounds we came for. SJI is such a special place, but this company really puts the icing on the nature cake! Thank you to Rachel, Jeff & Sarah for the warmest welcome back! Alan captained beautifully & found us a cheeky Minke, & Orcas in the San Juan Channel; while Zoey & Sarah familiarized us with our surroundings & species information. Sarah is such a valuable resource for wildlife information & history -she will blow your mind. Jeff's energy is so contagious. His love for the wildlife & passion for our viewing pleasure is unlike any other whale watching experience. Maddie has a way of connecting with us & simplifying information for the patrons. Davon, Taylor & Tiffany are a wonderful trio of talented & intelligent people. I loved hearing stories of their experiences. Their unique confidence to make us feel comfortable & get us to exciting sights was so perfectly appreciated. Seeing Minkes, Humpbacks, Orcas, Harbor Porpoises, Seals, Eagles & more; all while traveling on a coast guard certified boat with butterflying windows so everyone gets the perfect view is beyond incredible. They have literally thought of it all! Maya's Legacy absolutely knocked it out of the park AGAIN & AGAIN!...& AGAIN! As an avid whale watcher, I can't tell you how fortunate I feel to have had these experiences with them; because its an effort to make it up here. THANK YOU to this incredible team who really does go the distance in every way. I will continue to share their information with everyone I know & love. They truly have the ability, not only to deliver the beauty of the islands and educate us about the value of these sights; but to build patron confidence & nurture the relationships that come from time spent on the water together. I'm so thankful that they have such a high level of respect for the animals & can articulate the importance of the human impact on the seas; while showing us these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. What an opportunity & though it's fortune that has brought me to them initially, it's their PASSION that keeps me coming back. read more

See all

What an amazing day! We felt very lucky to have chosen Mayas Legacy. Captain Jeff and April truly care about the wildlife and they knew so much specific information about all the whales, wildlife, and environments we encountered. It was obvious that this is truly a passion of theirs and that manifested in the tour we were given. It is. For anyone looking for a intimate day of whale watching, wildlife, and a tour that ends up being not scripted but based on that days specific journey and encounters, this is for you. read more

See all

We had an amazing afternoon on the water with three different sea captains. The captain piloting the boat, Jeff, guided us to group of whales that are not often seen. Second sea captain, April was the naturalist who took photos and airdropped them to everyone free! The third sea captain was the founder, Jim Maya. He was full of information, and the whole trip was amazing read more

See all

We booked a mid October trip with Maya's Legacy and were so so impressed from start to finish. Check-in, boarding, and then 4+ hours on the water. We saw beautiful landscapes and wildlife, but the highlight was the two families of orcas we spent almost 2 hours watching. The staff, Jeff and April were able to identify all the whales we saw, and educate us on some behaviors and interactions we were seeing. The boat was comfortable and we felt safe the whole time. I would do this experience over & over again. There are many options for whale watching tours, but you can't go wrong booking with Maya's. read more

We traveled out with Maya's in 2015 and the experience was the best. This year we brought our kids and wanted them to experience the same. This time out was a bit of a dry spell. We found Transient Orcas. Better than nothing. It got a little brighter when we ran across a grey whale. That made the trip worth it. Everyone on board was so nice and helpful. Meant someone who lives near us in Pennsylvania who works here in the summer. We were here in 2019 and sadly we didn't go out with Maya. We decided to try other places. No more, Maya's is hand down the best to visit. They make it an experience unlike the others. You really get to know the staff. Even if it's only once per year. It's so worth it. read more

See all

We had an incredible experience whale watching with Maya's legacy back in August. The whole team is really knowledgeable and kind. We saw tons of orcas (I think 16ish in the end?) in addition to bald eagles, a variety of deer, and lots of other wildlife. The team was even kind enough to share the photos they took with us -- very considerate and appreciated, especially since my iPhone photos turned out...less than great read more

Maya's Legacy Whale Watching - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

See all

Incredible tour with an experienced crew whose passion for this place and its wildlife is unmatched! I plan to do this again and will happily recommend Maya's to others. read more

I had a fantastic day on the water today with Capt Daven and Naturalist Sara, thank you both! We saw Orcas in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, then heading home we saw seals, sea birds and even an eagle. I also enjoyed the information about the Orcas' intelligence, their ecosystem and their habitat. Thank you Maya's! read more

See all

Highly recommend Maya's Legacy. Yesterday I took the morning and afternoon trip with them out of Friday Harbor and had two vastly different and AMAZING experiences. The morning trip was filled with Humpback Whales, Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, Dall's Porpoises and much more. Captain Alan and Sara were wonderful- incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. The created a welcoming and fun atmosphere on the boat and were consistently going the extra mile to show us as much wildlife as possible. The afternoon trip was just as spectacular- but filled with different wildlife. We had the honor of following the K-Pod (17 whales) from the Northwest most corner of the US. Again we have had Capital Alan at the helm but April was our dedicated naturalist- both were again wonderful. The staff has a vast amount of knowledge and is more than willing to share. You can tell by talking to all of them how passionate they are about the creatures they teach you about and how respectful they are to not disturb them. Both trips were on the "J2" boat which was really 10/10- very clean, not a bad seat and easily opens up when you get one scene of wildlife. My booking experience was also effortless, I called the office to ask some questions and then ended up booking online. Maya's Legacy has great communication emails at book and prior to your trip. Hands down would recommend them to anyone visiting the island. read more

See all

Fantastic tour and guides! They met and exceeded all of our group's expectations. The boat was clean, comfortable, and had a great open air feel. The captain and guide were very educational. We saw Orcas, a humpback whale, bald eagles and seals! Plus a charming light house. read more

Maya's Legacy Whale Watching - Orca sighting - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

See all

There are so many excursions to choose from in Friday Harbor, but I'm so glad we picked this one, and this is why: -SMALL groups: I think we had a dozen, vs some boats that appeared to have 100 people -a small, fast, comfortable boat to get where we going and back as quickly as possible so we had more time to see the wildlife -kind, really knowledgeable captain (Spencer) and naturalists (Ben and April) -reasonable price compared to all the other companies As an added bonus, a couple weeks after our tour, April sent us an email with (amazing) photos she had taken on our trip. I really couldn't have asked for a better time. I highly recommend Maya's! read more

See all

I have now been on 2 trips and have a 3rd planned because I've had such neat experiences on board the Maya's Legacy Whale Watch boat! The first trip, although very sad for the sea lion, was something out of the national geographic as we watched the whales during their feeding ritual. The second trip had worse weather so the whales didn't seem to be as lively, not sure the weather mattered to them but that was the difference in my opinion...haha! However, we got to also see 2 humpback whales and that was absolutely incredible because they came right up to our boat and although extremely massive, they seem so gentle! Of course Maya's really has no control over the whales but both times the staff was incredible as-whale...pun intended! ;) During my first trip the guide was extremely knowledgeable and very kind. During the second trip the same thing occurred but also the captain was extremely involved with the group and of course the guide, as he and the guide had some great banter, which gave us riders a great time! I'm so bummed that I cannot remember the names of the crew from our first trip but Jeff and Sara from our second trip were amazing, thank you both for an experience I'll never forget! Same goes to the captain and our guide from the first trip of course; it was just an all around amazing time on a boat that's not large and overcrowded. The boat even has windows that open up fully so it doesn't matter where you are, you have a great view. I could go on and on with my review but...just give Maya's Legacy a try for yourself, you won't regret it! I know I can't wait to go back. Thanks again Maya's crew! read more

Wow!!! 8/25 1:30-4:30 tour. Been on 2 other tours before but Maya's is the best by far!!! Me and my wife saw 2 orcas going right to them from the start. Then after 30-45 minutes we cut over and left the bigger slower boats to go see a humpback and calf!!! En route captain spotted/stopping within 15 yards of harbor seals laying on a beach below a bald eagle. Mapped out our trip and even looked up the tags on the whales for us to track later. I will rave about this for a long time. Thanks for making our anniversary! read more

Wow! What a great experience - smaller boat provided amazing views and access to the captain and naturalists to ask a lot of questions. We saw killer whales, minke whales, sea lions, lots of different birds including a puffin! The entire team was professional, knowledgable and passionate about wildlife in the Pacific Northwest! Would highly recommend this experience over one of those larger vessels!!! read more

Maya's Legacy Whale Watching - Huge sea lion! - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

See all

Whale watching in San Juan's was on my moms bucket list so I did a fair amount of research and it became abundantly clear Maya's is the best! After going on a four hour afternoon tour, I agree wholeheartedly. I originally booked my tour for the wrong time and when I emailed to see if I could reschedule, I go an email back in like an hour. On a Sunday night at like 8 pm. They worked with me to rebook a later tour which alleviated a lot of stress with the ferry schedule. Our captains, Jeff and April, were very knowledgeable, patient and warm. I think my group lucked out with some incredible orca socializing but even without that, the trip would have been a great tour of the archipelago. I learned so much about the orcas and the surrounding area we saw. The boats are small and zippy and you don't have to wear any of the weird spray suits/ jackets other groups out of FH seem to require (though I would highly recommend bring your own - it gets chilly). An added bonus - if you have an iphone, they'll airdrop their fancy camera pics to you on the way out and I'm sure if you don't have an. iphone you could request they forward along the pics later. read more

I had never been whale watching before and didn't know what to expect. Long story short, we didn't see any whales. However, Captain Sara and Ellie were absolutely awesome! We saw over a dozen different animals that are native to the area. They are incredibly knowledgeable and eager to answer questions. Captain Sara knew where to go to make the trip worthwhile. My favorite part was getting to see the very large and very vocal Stellar Sea Lions. I will definitely come back later in the summer and plan to use Maya's Legacy Whale Watching again (and hopefully get to see some whales next time)! read more

We had the most amazing tour!! Our captain, Jeff, and our tour guide, April, were the best! They worked very hard to ensure we saw whales. We saw a few different pods and two different locations. It was spectacular. They were on it and well informed. We received breathtaking views and pictures. This company was recommended to us by a friend and I also highly recommend them. read more

See all

Captain Jeff and April were amazing! Not only did we see way more whales than we ever on a whale watching trip, they knew each one's name and history and personality. The whole day was magical. I think the best part was being able to directly ask questions of them both in the intimate small setting. Truly a day I will remember the rest of my life! read more

I had debated going on a whale watch for the last couple of years. I was worried that all the whale watch boats would somehow change the behavior or make life more difficult for the orcas. Maya's Legacy kept coming up as a responsible company to go out with. That they were different than the other tourist whale watches. I did some research and decided that Maya's Legacy was the company I would go out with. I was extremely satisfied with my choice and ended up going out a few different times. I felt that the captains and crew were very knowledgeable and passionate about the ecosystem, most especially the whales. There are very specific rules about how close boats can get (which vary with the different species (and ecotypes) of whales) and how fast boats can go when they are near whales. The captains on my trips were constantly trying to predict where the whales would go next so as to keep the boat away from the whales, and also simultaneously maximizing the viewing opportunities of the passengers. Maya's Legacy's focus on ecology and education was a perfect fit for me. And the entire crew was incredibly knowledgeable about the various species that we saw, most notably the whales. They were also super helpful in offering restaurant recommendations, etc. The captains and crew were simply extraordinary. The boats were very stable, comfortable and fast (when they needed to be). There was plenty of space for the passengers to move around for our own viewing pleasure. I'm looking forward to my next trip and hope to see some more whales with Maya's Legacy. read more

What an incredible week. My husband, some friends and I came down for a few days and went out with Maya's Legacy for a few whale watching trips. First off, the boat is spectacular. I've never been on a more comfortable whale watch vessel. The captain and naturalists were all so incredibly sweet and knowledgeable! Definitely my favorite whale watch trips I've ever been on. Over the few days we were there, we saw Orcas, Humobacks, Minky's, bald eagles, seals, and several bird species. San Juan Islands are a special place and the experiences with this company made it extremely memorable. We will definitely be returning! Thank you Maya's Legacy! read more

Went whale watching with a party of 4. Their boats are very stable and fast. They are also fully covered so you don't have to get wind and water in your face if you don't want to, but there are outside viewing areas in front and back if you do want to get out. What really made the experience worthy of this review was the Captain and both Zoey and Madi. They honestly were not really worthy of 5 stars... they were worthy of 15!!!! They were EXTREMELY friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and fun to go with. We saw about 15 killer whales doing every aerobic exercise workout you can imagine, plus tons of birds and huuuuge male sea lions. I have been on whale watching trips in California that were boring and uneventful. These guys made sure we all had a blast. We decided to come back next year so we can do it again with the rest of the fam! read more

See all

We are super glad we chose Maya's! The boat is excellent...and even has an inside cabin, which we were super thankful for as the weather was not the best. We went twice and had two different adventures. Lots of fantastic wildlife was seen. The captain's and the naturalists were fantastic. They are a bit expensive, but it was worth the $$. read more