My boyfriend and I booked the afternoon whale watching cruise at San Juan Cruises not knowing what to expect and it ended up being the highlight of the weekend. The crew was very friendly and I loved that it was guided by the Captain and Naturalist onboard. I learned a lot about islands in the Salish Sea and we saw several species of animals. There are several great viewing spots on the boat and it's easy to see from inside if it gets too windy. I learned so much about the Biggs orcas, sea lions, and harbor seals. It's not promised, but we saw two different groups of the orcas right at the beginning of the trip and surprisingly at the end in Bellingham bay. It was so nice to learn about them and get an up close view (within safe distance). They served a lunch onboard which was included in the cost, however we packed our own. They also have beverages and snacks for sale throughout the ride. I didn't bring binoculars on board, but I did see people with them. My iPhone was enough to get close up videos and pictures of the animals! I would definitely recommend this to family and friends! read more

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Very friendly service and great naturalist- Emily. We took the five hour whale watching cruise where they guarantee whale sightings or 50% off your next booking with them. We approached Emily to find out some details about the educational items she had available for viewing. The lunch was buffet style- two types of lasagna, biscuits, honey butter, Caesar salad, red grapes and cookies. It was very tasty. The scenery was gorgeous and it was a nice sunny day. Unfortunately the whales and orcas were playing any and we didn't see any during the entire cruise- we did see a harbour seal when leaving port, a quick glimpse of a harbor porpoise for a split second, harbor seals on rocks from a far distance and two sea lions on a red buoy... so we got cards to book at 50% discount for a future booking with the company. We also got 10% off coupons for the fish and chips place and gift shop inside the Bellingham cruise terminal. There were two bathrooms on board. I have to say if you're looking for an intimate experience with a handful of people this is not the cruise for you. We had a Thursday cruise that had about 60 people on board and felt like there were a lot of people... I was told the boat could have up to 120 passengers in which case it would have been absolutely jammed with people. I was glad we only had the number on board that we had. All in all it was a lovely day on board- you cannot dictate nature and they held up their promise if we didn't see whales. They also had some binoculars available if you gave them collateral- I had a set for the entire cruise. read more

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On board the Sunday dinner cruise from Laconner to Deception Pass this past Sunday was one of the most pleasurable experiences I've had on any excursion in this area. The food was great, the crew fun and informative, the vessel was clean and ran beautifully. I highly recommend this experience. read more

I had the best time on the whale-watching tour! During the approximately 4-hour experience, guests were treated to a relaxing boat ride where we saw humpback whales and pods of orcas. It was really moving to see these animals in their natural habitat. The Captain and staff offered a wealth of knowledge about the gorgeous islands we passed and the wildlife we observed. Lunch is included with the cruise and it was delicious. Vegetarian options are available, and there is more than enough food for everyone onboard, so no one should leave hungry. I highly recommend San Juan Cruises if you're in the Bellingham area and want to experience a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience! read more

San Juan Cruises - Boating Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

Last dinner cruise of the season. Overall a very pleasant experience. All the staff was very friendly. The boat was clean, although it can be limiting if you have a large party as the biggest tables are for 6 and I would recommend going early so you can select your table as it's first come first serve. For this cruise they had a "buffet" of Dungeness crab, with rice, dinner rolls, and roasted chicken. The food is passable in my opinion. I put quotations around buffet as again it is first come first serve and there's only enough for most people to have 1 half of a crab; which is definitely limiting. The crab is fresh but honestly the rest of the food was pretty mediocre. Chicken was sort of dry and overly salty. To be completely honest you're probably here for the views more than the food and the views are definitely stunning, especially when you approach sunset. read more

My wife and I and several friends went on the Sunday afternoon whale watching cruise and it was a blast. We saw two gray whales and a pod of orcas, and hats off to a great cruise with lunch. 10 out of 10 for Captain "84 miles" Michael, naturalist Ava and Rockin' E (the jack of all trades); a big 11 out of 10 for Katie and Quincy doing bartending, chef duties and general jibber jabbering respectively (give those two a raise) - all made my birthday that day unforgettable! read more

Our whale cruise was AMAZING!!!!! We saw Orcas and eagle and seals and sea lions, honestly it's been really hard coming back to normal life in Ohio because of how phenomenal this experience was. HIGHLY recommend! read more

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Crab dinner on the water this evening was just perfect in all the ways! Excellent weather excellent service and food! We could not be happier! Drinks were also great! Perfectly cooked crab and herbed chicken, rice with veggies and a broccoli salad excellent portions of each! Great service all the staff were wonderful set sail exactly at 6 and returned exactly on time! Could not be happier! Recommend this for couples or families! read more

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We took a whale watching cruise in July. The staff were great and the food was really good as the other reviews stated. There was plenty to eat as a vegetarian... limited options if you're gluten free or maybe have other allergies, but perhaps they make arrangements for those guests. We saw plenty of birds, seals and yes - some orcas. We didn't as close as we would have liked, but it was still lovely to see them swim from a distance. read more

San Juan Cruises - Sealife... - Boating Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

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Did the crab lunch cruise to Deception Pass bridge during the Tulip Festival. It was the perfect amount of time to spend out of the water and the views were amazing from start to finish. Captain Michael made it a point to look for wildlife and to make sure we all knew where to look. Also would some "fun facts" along the way. The Dungeness crab lunch was super delicious...cooked right on the boat so everything was freshly prepared. The bar also had a good selection from beet to wine and mixed drinks. Lunch was concluded with a homemade warm blueberry crisp. The boat was comfortable with windows all around so there wasn't a bad view no matter where you chose to sit. Besides Captain Michael the rest of the crew was amazing and couldn't have been friendlier or more helpful throughout. Highly recommend! read more

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Excellent whale watching experience on a 5.5 hour cruise (Sunday, June 22, 2025)! Observed 4 orcas for well over an hour and a half, plus seals, sea lions, porpoises, and more. Lunch was very good and fresh. The crew was very knowledgeable and interacted well with everyone. Had educational presentations and objects that were great for adults and kids. read more

This review is about one of the cruises San Juan Cruises offer: Friday Harbor Sightseeing Cruise. My girlfriend and I took a day trip to Friday Harbor. If you've never been to Friday Harbor and just want to check it out, this is a good option. We left Bellingham (Cruise Terminal in Fairhaven) at 10am and came back at 5:00pm. We had about 3 hours to explore Friday Harbor. The passengers were on our own in Friday Harbor. We thought 3 hours was just the right amount of time to have lunch and walk around the main drag (Spring Street). Main Pros: +The cruise departs from Bellingham, instead of having to drive down to Anacortes to catch a WSDOT ferry. +The captain tells you about the islands and other things (e.g., sea lions) we see from the boat. Main Cons: -It's so much slower than the WSDOT ferry. The cruise takes 2 hours one way, but the WSDOT ferry can get you from Anacortes to Friday Harbor in about an hour. -It's significantly more expensive than the WSDOT ferry: $69 vs. $14.83 per adult. Conclusion Because the only difference between San Juan Cruises and the WSDOT ferries is the "tour" the captain gives while we are on the boat. It's not that the captain will entertain you throughout the 2 hour ride (each way). Having said that, I don't think the $69 price tag, which is more than 4 times as expensive as the WSDOT ferry, is justifiable at all. Pro Tips: *They have a farmers' market in Friday Harbor on Saturday (9:30-1:00). It's small (proportionate to the size of the town) but fun. Most stands sell crafts and local merchandize, not many farm stands. So, I recommend Saturday over Sunday. *There's a bathroom on the boat. *Snacks and drinks, including alcohol, available for purchase *Bring a jacket even on a summer day as it can be cool on the boat ************************************************************ If you found my review helpful, please smash the "useful" button! Don't forget to share my review with your loved ones and those who you care about. If you liked my review, follow me on Yelp or send me a friending request. Also, don't hesitate to PM me if you want my opinion on the business. Stay safe and healthy and keep Yelping! read more

I was given this as a birthday present for my 63rd birthday. To tell you the truth my expectations were not very high, considering the cost is so low. But we were totally amazed. It was such a great time that we told over 20 other couples about this great event. read more

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Soooo, we had been quite excited to try the unWined on the Bay wine cruise in Bellingham. Sadly, it fell far short of our expectations. There are seating areas inside on two decks, with people closely crammed, and no ventilation. There are 2-3 tables at the aft of the ship, but you'd have to be in line, waiting, a couple of hours early to snag them, and they are really close. There was (at least to start) social distance standing room only at the bow, but it just kept getting more and more crowded. There is no exterior walkway all around the outside. There were three wine tasting stations, and the wines were okay. Problem was, two of them were on the upper deck, reachable only by a very steep, ladder-like staircase that remarkably no one fell from. Food was offered, as long as you were willing to have 30 people crowded around you in a 8'x8' space. The food disappeared in a few minutes. They DID come around with some tiny quiches an hour later. In short, not a pleasant experience. We have been on other whale-watching ships, and while the Victoria Star may have been state-of-the-art in the 50's, it leaves much to be desired now. read more

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We have been on the bird watching cruise, the crab dinner cruise, and just completed the 4th of July cruise. Every single one was outstanding! I especially recommend the bird watching cruise (take your binoculars). The naturalist on board and the captain made sure to point out birds and other wildlife. We saw puffins, bald eagles, golden sea lions, and orcas on our cruise. The food is good, and they were able to accommodate our gluten free friend, if anyone is wondering about that. I have gotten way more than my money's worth on every cruise and highly recommend this company read more

Took the beer cruise with a group and it was such fun. Only the beer is paid for with your ticket - hence beer cruise. Wine and cocktails you pay for. Highly recommend. read more

A small group of us took the day cruise to Friday Harbor and had a great trip. We came upon a pod of Orcas and it seemed like they were following us right into the harbor. The crew were very respectful of the whales and careful not to disturb them. We also enjoyed the hearing history of the area and all about the islands we passed. Two members of our party were in wheelchairs (not large motorized chairs though) and we were apprehensive about how they would manage the ramps and inside the ship. The crew was extremely patient and helpful loading and unloading the wheelchairs. They didn't hesitate to offer us assistance. Even though they were very limited in where they could "park" their chair during the cruise (the aisle is narrow between the long booth seating) most guests onboard squeezed by them and everyone made the best of the situation. One of the restrooms aboard was large enough to accommodate their chairs with easy entrance/exit. I'm glad we were able to enjoy the cruise without and major problems since accessibility can vary so much everywhere. read more

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We celebrated our company Annual Employee Appreciation event aboard the Salish Express and had an incredible time! The staff was amazing, took care of all the details, easy to work with, and were attentive and friendly. Captain Jeff was so great to go out of his way to help us spot a whale and stay to get some whale watching in during our cruise. The food was great, the sunset was amazing, and our team had such a great time and will be booking again next year! Thank you for helping us have such s great event! read more

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Captain Mike did an excellent job through the day. When the cruise started Captain Mike came on the speaker and provided useful information. Then the onboard college Naturalist came on the speaker. She too provided useful information but went on for 15 minutes about where she grew up, yada, yada, yada. Nobody really cares about your past and adds absolutely nothing to the cruise read more

Oh my gosh big kudos on the whale watch tour with lunch. We saw many Orcas made me feel so good. The crew was top notch and were very accommodating with my disability. We had to go back and try the crab dinner cruise! It too was awesome. I plan on the bird watching tour next spring. read more

Can't say enough about our trip. My husband and I have done Alaskan day tours and didn't see as many whales as we did on this tour. I thought we'd do the trip just to fill our day. Boy, was I wrong. Victoria, who was our guide, was extremely informative and made our trip even more interesting. Captain Jeff did an excellent job of finding all the pods, making sure all on board got a great view. The food was not a boxed lunch but a full meal that was filling and delicious. I would highly recommend this trip. Thanks for a great day! KW from Michigan read more

I recently went on the Chuckanut Craked Crab Dinner Cruise. There wasn't much to see in terms of animals, but the coastlines were beautful. There is a bar on the boat, which can be a good or bad thing. Some of the guests got pretty loud after having a drink or two. We ended up not being able to hear anything over the speakers. We spent most of the time just talking to each other and others who sat at our table. The seats are first come first served. Some people lined up early at the gate to board so they could get first dibs on the deck seating. For the actual dinner it is a buffet style except for the dessert which they will bring to you individually. The crew dismisses each table one at a time to get their dinner. If you sit upstairs, like us, it was kinda dangerous going up/down the stairs. Menu: Dungeness Crab - good, only one piece per person until everyone is served Baked Chicken - nothing special, just average Our sides on this particular cruise was fingerling potatoes and broccolli. The broccolli seemed to be a hit for our table. I'm not sure it is worth the $59 per person . I think for that price you could have a nice dinner by the waters and still get a beautiful view. I guess it's one of those things you go on once and can cross of your list. read more

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My husband and I went on their "Un-Wined on the Bay" wine cruise with some friends last night (6/30/22). We were scoping it out to see if it would be a good thing to do with a wine social group our friends lead. Our unanimous opinion was an emphatic "nope!" But I will lead with the positives. It was a beautiful night, and the views from out in the bay were spectacular. There were representatives from four wineries there sharing their wines, which were decent, and guests could have all the wine they wanted. Now for the downsides. Honestly we were filled with kind of a sense of dread standing in the extremely long line looking at the boat. We couldn't imagine how it was going to be comfortable or Covid-safe, as the outside areas were small. They packed 149 people in to that rather worn out old boat. We hung out on the stern, which initially felt pretty open, but when people realized how claustrophobic it was inside, many joined us and it became quite crowded. There were three wine stations - one downstairs and two upstairs. These areas were extremely crowded, as you might imagine, as 149 people lined up for wine refills. They only would give you about a 2 ounce pour, so people were coming back repeatedly. I think the worst thing about this cruise, however, it was the food situation. The offerings were crackers, hummus, cheese, veggies and dip, pita, and some sort of bay shrimp dip. At least that's what we think it was, because by the time we got to the food, about 10 minutes into the two-hour cruise, it was pretty much gone. The people who got on first cleared it out, and they never did replenish it. The photos tell the story pretty clearly. The deckhands were relatively friendly, but there was no service that we could see. We were stuck juggling multiple glasses, and no one ever came by to take them from us. The boat definitely showed its age and didn't really seem up to par with virtually every other boat tour we have experienced. Someone else here compared it to an old city bus, and I would concur, as the inside was extremely unpleasant and claustrophobic. All in all, I just can't recommend this. I know we will definitely never do it again. I don't feel good about posting such a negative review, but the reason Yelp is helpful is because hopefully, the majority of reviews are honest. read more

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I went on two cruises recently, the Deluxe Whale Watching Cruise to Friday Harbor on September 10 and the Cracked Crab Dinner Cruise on September 20. I had a wonderful time on both. We saw humpback whales both times. The captain and crew were warm and friendly and went out of their way to make sure we had a great time. Beer, wine, and snacks were available for a reasonable price. Both meals were great. The cracked crab on the latter cruise was excellent and tasted very good! The captain shared the interesting history of the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea. He also had a good knowledge of the resident orcas, humpbacks, other whales and sea life. I can't wait to go on another cruise! read more

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We've probably been in every cruise they offer. They are well organized and a joy to experience. The meals are gourmet even better than a restaurant. Great cruises to take our out-of-town relatives and friends. They're very accommodating and easy to do business with. I would recommend them instantly. read more

So my husband surprised me for my birthday with Whale Watching and it went surprisingly well! Surprising because I'm 100% wheelchair bound and this company worked with us every step of the way! Between the piers and docks and ramps to get on board the boat - most whale watching cruises aren't accessible. San Juan Cruises worked! The pier ramp and onto the boat was sturdy and safe. The handicap bathroom was great! I could get out into the bottom deck and see everything anyone else could. Customer service was amazing! Friday Harbor was terrible for a wheelchair and I couldn't get into any cute shops...but I highly recommend for this outdoor adventure for anyone disabled!! And we saw whales! read more

We have done several cruises through San Juans Cruises including whale watching with and without stops in Friday Harbor and most recently for. Cracked crab dinner cruise. They are always fun excursions and a great thing to do for a celebration or when friends and family visit from out of state! They have limited their guest numbers and are handling the covid situation very well with masks, separate tables for party groups, serving meals by the table to avoid crowds and everyone must wear a mask when inside and not at the table as well as outside if you cannot be 6 feet apart. In normal times it is very popular and can be a little crowded so it is actually a nice change right now as a guest to have a little more intimacy and able to spread out. Highly recommend! read more

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We thought this cruise to Friday Harbor was relaxing and we overall enjoyed ourselves. We had lovely weather for 2hrs on the water and wandering in town. We also liked the convenience that sailing out of Bellingham offered us. The boat captain presented some interesting facts about the San Juan islands as we were cruising, BUT we really were looking for a bit more for the substantial $69 per person fee. I found I often checked my phone google maps to help educate myself re: the San Juan islands. read more

We had an amazing time! Not only did we see plenty of transient orcas but the route our captain chose that day was absolutely gorgeous. His commentary was very informative and the crew was very friendly and helpful especially as they are adjusting to Covid 19 guidelines. The boat was comfortable and the lunch was good quality. Definitely worth the price. I recommend you do this cruise on a week day, like we did, and you will feel you have the boat to yourselves! read more

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I went on the Bellingham brewers cruise and it was awesome! Super great price for what they provide once abroad, 6 beers to taste, snacks and raffles for an hour and a half all for 45 bucks! Definitely will be back! read more

It was one of those picture-perfect June evenings in the Ham. Blue skies, calm winds, and the temperature was approaching 65 so everyone was in their shorts and tank tops. But still - perhaps the result of several years of surprise spring blizzards combined with too much childhood exposure to Gilligan's Island reruns - we packed a large duffel containing hats, gloves, parkas, and mukluks "just in case." Luckily, when we arrived at the Cruise Terminal to board our San Juan Cruise we were not the only guests who had planned accordingly and were not laughed off the boat. The event was a fundraiser for the Whatcom Humane Society. Our captain, Jeff, took us on an interesting adventure along the coastline as far as Larrabee State Park. From the comfort of this large, stable ship we cruised close to the shore as we glided past the Fairhaven shipyards and then south where we saw beautiful (some might say epic) homes, yachts, trees, beaches, and wildlife. The boat was small enough to sail into some of the smaller bays, so we were able to get up close and personal with our surroundings. From the east side of the boat the views across to Lummi Island and the rest of the San Juans were simply breathtaking. We sat on the aft deck with our cups of local craft brew and delicious appies and just took it all in. The entire experience was magical and I was sad when we pulled back into port and had to disembark. It's easy to take for granted the perks of being a Bellinghamster...the breathtaking views over the San Juans, the stunning mountains to the north and east, the calmly lapping waters of the bay, the endless recreational opportunities, the nearby cosmopolitan cities in two directions, the generally chillax way of life...sigh, there's a reason we are often named one of the top spots to live, vacation, raise a family, and/or retire. And every once in awhile I have an experience where I say to myself "Wow, I can't believe I live here!" This was the definitely case with our trip aboard San Juan Cruises. I would love to try them again sometime, maybe a whale watching trip. Oh, and this time I'll leave the mukluks at home - with their spacious interior cabins there really would be no need (despite the risks of June blizzards). read more

Went on a whale watch trip to Friday Harbor yesterday. What an amazing day!!! Made our reservation online so we saved $5 off each ticket. Pickup/checkin was smooth & fast. Since it was a Friday at the end of the season I think there were only 25 people total on the boat that is certified for 147. Plenty of room & space for everyone. 2 interior cabins, one upstairs & one downstairs that seat about 60 people each. Outside decks on both levels too. Excellent lunch. Better than I expected. Chicken, salmon, rice pilaf, coleslaw, biscuits & brownies. Boundary Bay IPA was on tap. A few other bottled beers available including Corona. Wines, sodas & coffee too. Full bar so hubby & I enjoyed bloody Mary's in the morning. Lunch was served very close to noon. Buffet style. Captain Jeff provided great narration of the tour including island names & history. We saw seals, porpoise, a few Minke whales & a great close up sea lion. If you have hearing problems find a speaker to sit close to. Downstairs back of boat the engine is loud so don't sit there. 2 hour visit to Friday Harbor was perfect time for just a little shopping & a visit to a restaurant for a quick bite if you're still hungry or an ice cream cone. I would love to try a Brewers or Wine or Dinner cruise & will highly recommend them to family & friends. $6 day parking in lot. Cash. read more

Wonderful sunset dinner cruise. Handling COVID well. Good space between tables and limited passengers. Really a nice experience not having so many people on the craft. Not great for them though I'm sure. Dinner was good and portioned well. The broccoli salad was a big surprise and the dessert was fabulous too. Hopefully I can add the sunset photo Just stunning. read more

San Juan Cruises - Boating Near Me - Bellingham, Washington

The Bellingham to Friday Harbor trip takes 2 hours one way. Allowed 3 hours at Friday Harbor. If you are by the speakers you can listen to the Captain talk about locations along the route. Inside seating was hard to hear because passengers talking and kids yelling. On the top out side sit next to or under the roof to hear him. read more

We booked a cruise from Bellingham to Friday Harbor and back over Memorial Day Weekend with a few friends. We ran a little late boarding, but the staff was courteous and understanding. While en route to Friday Harbor, the captain shared some interesting stories and facts about the islands and state parks. We arrived at Friday Harbor with two hours to explore. Then, back on board, lunch was prepared and waiting for us. Buffet style, they had BBQ chicken, seasoned baked salmon, rice pilaf, biscuits, brownies, and beverages. They also had an open bar with wine, beer, and spirits. On the way back from Friday Harbor, we were guided through an Orca pod who swam under the boat and provided wonderful photo opportunities! They had two restrooms on board, both clean. We were free to roam the boat while different views became available and the staff was very nice as well. read more

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The captain and narrator was enjoyable today. He only spoke occasionally and only spoke and gave interesting facts when necessary. Unfortunately no orcas today but saw some humpback whales and beautiful scenery. The lunch was also good. read more

what an amazing time we had. Captain Gracie was a true master. beautiful journey and amazing food. simple food but very good. real butter for the rolls was a plus. the crab and chicken we're yummy. the crew was professional. Why spend hundreds of dollars sitting in a restaurant when you can do this. Fell in live with the little cruising company. Emotionally beautiful we will see you again. We celebrated our 33 wedding anniversary and it made for a perfect day. read more

Went on the deluxe whale cruise in 2016 and loved it. Didn't see any whales (sad) so got a %50 off coupon for my next visit. Regardless of the lack of whales the staff where amazing and went out of their ways to make the trip the best it could be. The trip out to Friday harbor and back was absolutely fantastic. The food was great and servers buffet style. Lunch on the way there and dinner on the way back to Bellingham. I found the price expensive at first but quickly forgot about it as the trip was well worth the cost. Fingers crossed for 2017 whale sighting read more

This is a boat ride....not a whale watching tour. It would be a whale watching tour - or a wildlife viewing excursion - if the animals in question positioned themselves on the path (or bee line) that the boat makes to Friday Harbor. It's great for a boat ride. the food was actually quite good and the kids on the boat were nice. There's a snack bar to keep your mouth busy -- because you won't be seeing whales. The 90% success rate would be utter nonsense. The "fully narrated tour" isn't, altho the captain does point out some points of interest, it's difficult to understand because of the way he speaks into the mic. Think "fast food restaurant ordering speaker". It's much like that. (Yes, I did ask the staff about this - to no avail.) Go for the boat ride. It's great. Go for the lunch. It was quite good. But don't go for the whale watching. You will see a huge elephant seal -- but only because he's positioned himself on a buoy that the ship drives past. Bring binoculars. You will need them to see anything else. read more

We had the pleasure of being on Capt. Jeff's boat yesterday. I was a bit unsure of what to expect. Most of the reviews for the whale cruises are good, but the few negative ones made me wonder which to believe. First off, the boat is clean, and well cared for. It is wheelchair accessible, even one of the two restrooms has an extra large bathroom, and had a changing table in it. I will preface my review by saying that our cruise wasn't sold out. I can't tell you how many people were on board, but I doubt we were more than 2/3 full, if not more like 1/2. That will be reflected in my experience. I can understand it being a less enjoyable experience if the boat were overly packed with people. We were able to move around the boat and see the whales without any trouble. The all day whale cruise includes lunch, but the boat sells plenty of snacks and beverages as well. The lunch was plentiful and tasty. It was distracting to smell the BBQ chicken cooking all morning. :) I had no problem hearing the speakers regardless of where we were on the boat, even outside, although it's more difficult to hear with the boat engine and waves. Capt Jeff gave a great overview as we passed by various wildlife and islands - he was a knowledgeable tour guide. We were lucky enough to go right by a harbor seal, which pleased my little seal lover. Our group was very lucky, and had an amazing whale show. It was everything I'd hoped it would be. Shortly thereafter, we pulled into Friday Harbor. The trip back was uneventful. Aside from the whale show and the brief seal sighting, we didn't see much else besides eagles and other birds. Be prepared (especially if you have kids) for there to be a lot of boating/travel time. If the weather is nice, you can sit on one of the outside areas and enjoy the sunshine and views. My 8 and 5 year old enjoyed sitting in the very front outside of the boat. It's a great spot! Some tips: - Bring sunscreen. Even on an overcast day, you will need it. - Dress in layers and prepare for wind. Yesterday was sunny and 70s but the first few hours on the boat were super chilly. By afternoon, everyone was hot. - If you have kids, bring a few activities for them. My 5 year old brought a journal and drew pictures of things she saw. Our crew was all super helpful and nice. The price is a bit steep for a family day outing, but if you consider the included lunch and what the cost alone is for a ferry to Friday Harbor (plus the drive to Anacortes) it's really a great experience to get to spend the day out on the water. I'm really glad we went, and my kids enjoyed themselves as much as we did. read more