When and where is best to see orcas?

With that being said, the whales live in the San Juan Islands year round. In fact, the San Juan Islands are the best place in the world to see wild orcas. You'll also find humpback whales, gray whales, and minke whales here. They are just much more predictable with their patterns and sightings in the summer.



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While the best time to see orcas in the San Juan Islands for whales is between May and October, whales are native to the Salish Sea.

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– Peak season is considered the summer months of mid-June through early September. During this time, we see whales (orcas, humpbacks and/or minke) on over 90% of our tours. There are whales here year round, but much less predictably so outside the summer months.

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By May, we start to see more orcas, then humpback whales come June. Alaska's peak whale season is considered to be May through September, and it's during this time that the boat tours operate.

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Orcas Island's median sale price is 185% higher than the national average. Overall cost of living in Orcas Island is 38% higher than the national average. Learn which home features in Orcas Island add value to a home.

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But Orcas Island IS a great place to go whale watching! Orca (or killer) whales live in these waters year-round with the most sightings between May and October, when the salmon runs are strongest. This region is one of the best places in the world to see these magnificent animals in the wild.

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They advise boaters if they encounter an orca in the wild to stay 50 yards from it. This isn't the first siting of orcas near Florida this year. Boaters spotted a pod off the Florida Keys in the waters off Key Largo in July.

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