SAN JUAN ISLAND "QUEST FOR ORCAS, PIGS & WINE"
FULL DAY TOUR

Tour Length: 12 Hours
Tour Code: EV07
Pick-Up: City Hotels / Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66
Departing: 7:30a
Returns: around 7:30p
Activities: Paddling, cycling, intertidal beach walks, birding, whale watching, wine tasting, & educational sightseeing Interests: Marine biology, ecology, marine-life, botany, local and natural history
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Carbon Footprint: Please ask for a quote
Season: May-August
Min No of Passengers:


Inclusions:
Hotel pick up and drop off, highly qualified and knowledgeable naturalist guide, travel in luxury air - conditioned vehicles, home made morning & afternoon tea, sumptuous lunch or picnic, selected Washington wines and refreshments, all park entry fees and comprehensive naturalist commentary.

Escape Plan:
Leaving the city Emerald City behind us we take pleasure in the picturesque views of lush green hills, snowcapped mountains and sparking blue waters. Cupped between the jagged Olympic Mountains to the west and the volcanic peaks of the Cascade Range to the east we head North through the Skagit Valley and into Anacortes. Anacortes is the crown jewel of Fidalgo Island, easternmost of the San Juan Islands and jump-point to the rest of the world-renowned archipelago. It is here where we board the Washington State Ferry and cruise to Friday Harbor, keeping an eye out for one of our resident Orcas, Porpoise, Stellar or California Sea lion, Seal, River Otter and many types of seabirds!

We start the day with a quick visit to the Whale Museum, in the heart of Friday Harbor. In the “Gallery of Whales” you'll learn about the natural history of marine mammals, with a special focus on the orcas of J, K and L pods living in the waters of the San Juan Islands. You'll also find a fascinating collection of exhibits, artwork, models, and artifacts, including real whale skeletons and a family tree of the resident orcas. You can also listen to the "songs " of various species of whales in the Whale Phone Booth, and watch the free, 30-minute video on Pacific Northwest orcas, showing continuously.

We hop back in vehicle and head over to Lighthouse Park for a picnic lunch and glass of wine before spotting for orca at Lime Kiln State Park. Lime Kiln is the only State Park in the country devoted to observing orca!

After lunch, you will want to get ready to enjoy a memorable afternoon paddling on Haro Strait in hopes of viewing orca up close and personal! From Roche Harbor we embark on our own privately guided 3-hour “Orca Search by Kayak!” Realizing that seeing Orca whales is really a bonus, our search almost always includes harbor seals, great blue heron, bald eagles, kelp forests, river otter, lots of sea birds and colorful inter-tidal marine life. Furthermore, we will experience at least three wildlife refuges, paddle along remote rugged coastline all the while taking in the views of the Olympic Mountains, Mt. Baker, a cormorant rookery and more. We will also make a stop at one of the beaches for an authentic northwest afternoon tea.

We continue on our private tour of the island, including a visit to the historic American and British “Pig War” Camps, where the opposing armies were encamped during a post-Civil War boundary dispute between the United State and England.

To the end the day, we hop on our bikes for a short cycle around the island, making stops at San Juan Island Winery and the Pelindaba Lavender Farm.

Our thirst for a Pacific Northwest island adventure quenched, we board the ferry back and across the Sound, arriving back at your hotel around 7:30pm, just in time to go grab a bite at one of the city’s many fine restaurants. Make this a 1, 2 or 3 night escape and visit the Vancouver Island, Orcas or Lopez Islands or maybe even extend the trip across the Strait of Juan de Fuca and visit the Olympic National Park before returning to Seattle?

This tour can be customized as a private tour, call or email for a quote.