I cannot explain how thankful I am that I chose Western Prince!! Prior to booking, I read that they allow you to come for a second viewing if whales were not spotted on your trip. We unfortunately saw no whales during our first outing (so many cute seals and eagles though!), but they were able to squeeze us in the next day for another chance at no additional cost. And on that second trip we were blessed to see multiple orca pods socializing together! They had a mic that they inserted into the water, and we got to listen to them socialize. I wasn't aware they had this and it was such a magical experience to hear them! Huge thanks to Ivan and the rest of the crew for this once in a lifetime experience, it was a dream come true! read more

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Katy (our naturalist) and Bethany (our captain) were both extremely knowledgeable and attentative, taking time to take care of other passengers who were feeling a little under the weather, pointing out each animal with contagious enthusiasm. Our daughter was made to feel both special and grown-up. We got to see a number of whales pretry close-up while Katy described in detail their behaviors, habits, etc. Absolutely would book again. read more

This experience was better than my wildest imagination! I booked weeks prior for Thursday May 28th. I got there early to check in. The location is on the dock on front street above an ice cream place. The staff is super friendly and appreciated my early arrival. We got a short talk about safety and what to expect. Then we donned suits to keep us warm and dry. Tip: use the hat they offer and gloves. The hood doesn't keep the wind from making your ears cold without holding it tight around your face. I ran to the dock and met Captain BJ who would be working with Allison our guide. The was helpful and allowed me to sit up front. I was more excited than a kid on Christmas morning. The boat starts and we leave the harbor. Then we started going really fast which was so awesome! We saw a sea otter playing in the tide current. There were harbor porpoises. But the steller sea lions were enormous and stunning. They were subbing themselves on the rocks. The piece de resistance was the orcas! A pod of orcas was hunting a lone steller sea lion. We must have sat there over an hour. Other boats gathered and we all watched. I'm not shy in admitting I was deeply moved. I cried a bit at how awesome this experience was and seeing beautiful orcas was on my bucket list. My favorite part was that this is a small business. They are locally owned and have a focus on conservation. The boat pulls water from the ocean to propel itself forward which means no gas, propeller or noisy engine that stresses out whales. We stopped to remove a mylar balloon from the water. I love when people practice what they preach! We continued and saw more eagles, rhiocerous ocelot, and more harbor porpoises. By the end my heart was full. Captain BJ said this was his second favorite trip of the year this far. I beamed all the way back to the office to return our gear. Tip: go to the whale museum when it opens at 11am then come here to see real whales. Do this whale watching tour! Best bang for your buck you will ever get!! read more

Western Prince Whale Watching - Photo of orcas hunting a stellar sea lion - Boat Charters Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

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We had an absolutely fantastic afternoon touring the waters around the San Juan Islands courtesy of the wonderful captain and crew. We had amazing opportunities to view a variety of wildlife ranging from bald eagles to otters to several species of whales. The team's knowledge about the whales was truly remarkable- including knowing individual whales' histories. The scenery was spectacular and the gear provided made a chilly spring day extremely comfortable. We can't thank Western Prince Whale Watching enough for this experience that we will look back on and treasure! read more

This was the first experience that my wife and I have had whale watching. We decided to arrange a trip with Western Prince and stay on San Juan Island for a couple of nights in conjunction with it. Our guide was Allison on the boat piloted by Captain Ivan. They offered gear for the trip, including weather bibs, jacket, gloves and knitted caps, which were definitely needed for the trip. Allison provided excellent information on the wildlife in the area, of which we saw (and heard in many cases) sea lions, a sea otter, a blue heron, bald eagle, and of course, whales. Captain Ivan provided a great deal of information to our tour also, describing the interface with other tours in the area, such as how they communicate sightings and limiting time in the area in concern for the wildlife. Several aspects of the experience stood out to me: -Everyone was very welcoming, making sure everyone was prepared for the trip (gear, preparation for limited restroom access, safety, etc.) -The boat is an open design, with nearly 360-degree views, with the seating being bench style seats for very comfortable for the approximate 3-hour tour. Viewing other tour boats in the area, I was glad we chose Western Prince if only for the boat environment/atmosphere alone. -The size of the tour was approximately 20 people, which made the tour more personal. -Captain Ivan demonstrated his experience with tracking the behavior of the pod that had been sighted, with the final surfacing of the family (Orcas) approximately 75 feet from the bow on the port side of the boat, which he had only minutes prior had killed the engine expecting them to show, which they did. He didn't "chase" the whales and location, he just acted on his knowledge of their behavior to position the tour accordingly. Also, a lone sea otter had been spotted in the area recently, and as we headed back to port, he recognized him playing near a buoy, and we slowed down to watch him for a little bit. It was very impressive. -Allison demonstrated her knowledge and experience describing the behavior and environment of the wildlife. Her longevity with the company demonstrated her commitment to share and inform others of this amazing area of the world. I really can't say enough good things about the experience. read more

Outstanding experience! Very stable ship with JB at the helm. Alison is a gifted naturalist with amazing stories to tell about the Orcas. read more

Western Prince Whale Watching - "We can't protect what we don't understand and what we understand most deeply, We Love" Living Sea IMAX - Boat Charters Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

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Great tour! Not only were we warm in our provided gear but were well taken care of with information and help along the way. We saw puffins, sea lions, harbor seals and a pod of 10 killer whales traveling together! Our boat was able to be more nimble and give us better and extended views of the whales as opposed to other vessels on the water. Would recommend! read more

Western Prince Whale Watching - Killer whales - Boat Charters Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

We had an epic experience! The weather was all time and we saw incredible animals, including humpback whales and Orcas. JB and Chris were fun/friendly and made our experience truly memorable. read more

Excellent adventure! The staff outfitted us in warm gear that we didn't fully appreciate until we were flying over the water. Our guide was very knowledgeable about whales and other ocean life which really added color and interest to the trip. We were very lucky to see 2 family packs of orcas who were active together with tail and fin splashing. Even luckier to see them breach the water more than once. This was the highlight of our San Juan island stay. read more

We had a great 3 hour whale watching tour with JB as our Captain and Chris as our guide. We saw lots of sea lions, three bald eagles and two orca brothers. It was educational and lots of fun! Thumbs up! read more

Western Prince Whale Watching - Boat Charters Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

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The staff are amazing! Allison and Captain JB are both super friendly, fun, and knowledgeable. This was our first time looking for whales in the San Juan area, and with confidence I can say we were with the best. Saw some seals, a sea otter, and two separate Orca pods. It was amazing. We lucked out on the weather too. We will definitely be doing this tour again the next time we are in the area. read more

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A perfect trip! We felt so lucky to have picked Western Prince Whale Watching this day for the speed of this boat and Captain Bethany for getting out to see 26 Orcas. Bethany was a flawless Captain and with our guide (amazing experience and Australian!), it was an experience I will never forget. Great family company that I would highly recommend if you are considering a trip to see wildlife as this boat is the fastest of the companies. read more

Western Prince Whale Watching - They got us out to see 26 Orca's this day with the speed of their boat. Remarkable! - Boat Charters Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

Excellent! Went the extra mile, well 52 miles to give us the whale experience I have dreamed of. Breaching, fin slapping, spy hopping! Just wow!!! read more

What an amazing, friendly, kind, and helpful company. My husband and I were gifted a certificate to spend a day exploring the San Juan islands. It included the Friday harbor sea plane & whale watching tour with western prince. It was absolutely magical. We were able to see orca whales and get so many wonderful pictures and videos. Chris at the front desk was so kind and let us charge our phones in the back room so we wouldn't run out of battery. Everyone was so helpful and made sure we had the best time. I highly recommend booking your whale watching tour through this family owned, amazing business. I'm already looking at ways I can get back and do it again. read more

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This was an amazing tour!! The guides were friendly and knowledgeable. We saw the most spectacular orcas and other wildlife. We will definitely do this again Western Prince Whale Watching Adventure. read more

I had an incredible experience on my first-ever whale-watching tour with Western Prince at Friday Harbor! From start to finish, the entire trip was well-organized and exceeded my expectations. We went on a Friday morning around 11 AM, and our boat was only half full, which made the experience even more intimate and enjoyable. One thing to note: parking can be a bit tricky if you have a car. I recommend finding parking near the courthouse, where you can park for a longer duration--perfect for the length of the tour. Our guide, Bethany, was fantastic! She was incredibly knowledgeable and approachable, with both a bachelor's and a master's in marine biology (if I remember correctly). Her passion for the wildlife and the environment really shone through. She was always available to answer questions and share fascinating facts, making the experience even more enriching and fun. JB, the captain, was also great! The ride was smooth, and I didn't feel seasick at all (I was sitting somewhere in the middle of the boat). We were lucky enough to see two majestic humpback whales, and the highlight of the trip was watching two families of orcas hanging out together. Seeing these amazing creatures in their natural habitat was nothing short of magical. I also really appreciated the thoughtfulness that went into making sure everyone was comfortable. They provided waterproof overalls, floater jackets, gloves, and beanies to keep us warm. Once we were out in the boat and further from shore, it was supposedly about 20 degrees colder, so these extra layers made all the difference! They even had binoculars for us to use, which really enhanced the whale-watching experience. While there are marine toilets on board, you probably don't want to miss any part of the tour, so I'd highly recommend using the bathroom before you board. The only bathroom (not on the boat) is located on the dock next to the boat, so it's important to plan ahead, especially if you want to pick the row you want to sit in. If you're planning on taking photos, I recommend bringing a fancier camera rather than just your iPhone. We're required to stay quite far from the whales, and it was a bit difficult for my iPhone 13 mini to capture the whales we saw. If you're considering a whale-watching tour, I highly recommend Western Prince. It was an unforgettable experience that combined education, adventure, and respect for the marine environment. read more

I absolutely loved this experience. We saw three families of orcas, a bald eagle and a whole gaggle of harbor seals! The crew and captain were amazing with answering all of our questions! I went on the 3pm tour and was so impressed! I plan on going back next month with my spouse! read more

Western Prince Whale Watching - They provide all you need to bundle up appropriately! - Boat Charters Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

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Super friendly, super helpful staff. Fast boat! Got us all the way up to Canada where the viewing happened to be best that day.

What a wonderful experience! Highly recommend. Allison and JB made sure we had a memory forever! Saw orcas, birds and a humpback whale.

It is right by the ferry terminal and I think it would be hard to beat. The boat is relatively small so you feel close to the Orcas. The gear was great so we stayed comfortable. Pretty much exactly what you want. read more

The boat was really comfortable it is custom-made she was really really quiet she got more than 900 hp, but you couldn't hear the engine. We didn't see wheels or orcas even though the skipper and the lady that works with him do their best and try and try we was lil upset so the management was really nice to give us voucher for free trip. I got to mention Ella in the front desk all ways with nice smile and willing to help for anything you need I believe that business thrive and succeed, if you've got people that working with all their hart Thanks for a beautiful experience and will see you next time .! read more

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Experience of a lifetime. The captain/owner knew exactly where to go, and positioned the boat to provide for the best photos with majestic views of Mt Baker. Really professional crew. read more

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Our captain and naturalist both were pretty awesome. They went over and beyond to show us wildlife read more

Western Prince Whale Watching - Boat Charters Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

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We heard great things about this company from friends who had toured with them. As the time for our excursion approached, it was raining and we were discouraged. But the crew here is so enthusiastic about nature, the animals and the islands, we hoped for the best. It turns out the rain did not dampen our experience at all! They provide everything from a jumpsuit, beanies, gloves to even goggles to help you stay comfortable in all weather. We followed a family of orcas for an hour, and of all the boats viewing them, we were the most prepared for the weather. Bethany and Chris were very professional and personable. They seemed as excited to see the whales as we were! I would definitely recommend them! read more

We had a great day whale watching with Western Prince Whale Watching yesterday. The speed boat took us out to the far western side of the island and we saw a pod of orcas there. Wonderful experience! read more

I've done many whale watches but this was the best ever! They hooked us up with suits to keep us warm and dry which was great because it rained during a lot of the tour. The Captain found us 7 families of Orcas socializing... the most amazing thing I've ever seen. Highly recommend Western Prince. read more

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All I can say is if you are planning to come to the San Juan you need to book a whale watching with The Western Prince. Our captain JB and Naturalist (sorry forgot name) was so personable. Made us feel like we knew them forever. They give you gear to wear to keep you warm and dry from the elements. They check on you throughout the trip... We seen different species and yes Orcas! I love every minute of this trip I didn't want it to end. Would book another one before we head back home but they are full. So if your thinking about it book ahead of time and with the Western Prince. Mahalo iā 'oe mālama pono. "Thank you very much, take care" read more

Western Prince Whale Watching - Boat Charters Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

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What a terrific Whale Watching Tour we just had with Elah & Ivan! Everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable & the gear kept us nice and warm which was essential being on this super fast completely open boat. The small group meant we could easily shift from side to side to see all the action. Highly recommend. read more

Absolutely amazing! I go whale watching often on the east coast so humpbacks are mostly what I see. We are exploring Washington State for the first time and needed to do some whale watching in hopes of seeing Orcas and we were not disappointed! We chose western prince whale watching adventures because it looked more intimate and adventurous, which it was. Smaller boat meant less people and more attention from the crew. Captain JB and Naturalist Elah were so personable, had great jokes and incredibly knowledgeable about all the wildlife we saw (their parents should be proud!). If I lived on this side of the country, I would go often, just because of them! Thank you so much JB and Elah for an unforgettable time! Some tips: You may want to sit up front but right behind the captains chair is the best spot because it blocks the wind when we are going high speed and you get to chat with the captain the whole time. There is truly no bad spot to sit when it comes to viewing wildlife and the captain does an amazing job angling the boat so everyone can see and you get up and move around once the boat stops. What we saw: 2 groups of whales (and 2 breaches which are not common and something I always dreamed of seeing!) Deer Bald eagles Harbor seals Thank you Western Prince Whale Adventures (specifically JB and Elah) for helping to make my Ocra dreams come true read more

Excellent tour! The guide and captain were so well-informed and I learned a lot about our resident orcas. Will do again, for sure!

OK well first, the communication was excellent. We were on island but the Ferry was late so our trip was delayed. we were contacted by the company and told of the delay so we weren't waiting at the shop. Bethany was our naturalist and was super knowledgeable, sweet, professional, with an easy going personality. JB was our captain. Between the two of them we were in great hands . The boat was very fast so we were able to cover enough ground to see both Humpback whales and two families of killer whales. I was able to capture a photo of a breaching 3 year old orca-Charlie. This trip was everything we needed it to be. I will definitely go with his company again with my family again. First rate class act! I would give it 10/5 stars if possible! thank you JB and Bethany!!! Kristine read more

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Lovely biologist and captain made us all comfortable on board and we were nice and warm in the padded jackets and salopettes they provided (you can also borrow woolen hats but bring your own sunglasses against the wind). Saw a pair of bald eagles, bighorn sheep, mouflons and goats on Oakley's private island, and after we crossed into Canadian waters our daughter spotted a humpback, which the captain stopped for and we were able to follow it spouting, diving and breaching for about half an hour. The crew were quick to acknowledge her find to the others and rewarded her when we got back with some whale lapel pins and a stuffed orca keychain, so she was proud of herself for finding the highlight of our trip. read more

Great tour both times !!! My family and I have used Western Prince Whale Watching two times both times have seen Orcas, and Minky whales sea lions harbor seals in Bald Eagle to name a few . I love the fact that they're a small business. Everyone seems to enjoy their job, and every interaction we've had with anyone so far company has been great and positive. Our first tour we were late getting to the tour due the ferry. They did call make sure we were OK and that we were going to make it. Which was is unheard of businesses these days doing that. This business has always been accommodating. I have used other tours in the past and this place has my business hands down for sure!! Thank you everyone at Western Prince see you again next time!!! Keep up the good work!!! read more

What a day we had with Western Prince! We had to travel far but were able to see multiple pods of orcas, it was magical! The wonderful weather and guides were a plus too! They make sure you have anything you need to have a great experience. It's a fun adventure, even my tween/teens loved it. Highly recommend! read more

Amazing staff and crew, very knowledgeable, they keep the boat at a safe distance from the whales. It was a beautiful trip to be out in the sea too view these magnificent creatures! Boat is also so fun! read more

Great experience overall! The staff was very knowledgeable and the boat ride was really smooth.

Well organized trip. Made sure we stayed warm and dry with all the necessary gear including goggles and binoculars too. Expert staff was informative and knew where to go. We saw a Humpback whale, sea lions, harbor seals and two pods of Orcas come together. Amazing! Plus they have a nice gift shop! read more

Great experience. Very knowledgeable staff; took us all the way to the border of Canada to see a group of orcas. They also provided all trousers, jackets, gloves, hats, googles, binos to keep you warm. Would recommend wearing close toed shoes read more

We had such a fun day with the welcoming and knowledgeable crew. It was amazing to see the T75B pod and all the beautiful scenery was a bonus. read more

This is an excellent company to book for a whale watch tour. It is a small fast boat with an experienced and knowledgeable crew. They are respectful of the whales. They give you warmth suits that also are your life jackets. They have hats, gloves, and hand warmers you can use to keep you warm because it is cold out on the water. They also handout binoculars to every guest. We got to see 2 different groups of whales and Bethany (the naturalist on board) was fantastic on telling us the names and about the families of the whales. An experience my family will always remember. Highly recommended! read more