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Washington and British Columbia provide an excellent
opportunity to see Orca whales in the wild, and whale watching tours here
are more popular than ever. The San Juan Islands and southern Vancouver
Island provide beautiful scenery, calm water, and an abundance of different
wildlife. There are three pods of resident Orca whales that call this
area home- they are known as J, K, and L. These killer whales are obviously
the highlight of the local whale watching tours but a variety of other
wildlife abounds.  Guests
have the opportunity to see Transient Orcas, Minke whales, Gray whales,
Dall’s and Harbor porpoises, seals, sea lions, bald eagles, many kinds
of seabirds, and blacktail deer.
The Whale Watch Operator’s Association Northwest is a group of companies
dedicated to responsible wildlife viewing. With the help of marine biologists
and researchers we have developed a set of guidelines for operating vessels
around the Orcas and other wildlife, for both commercial and recreational
boaters. Respecting the wildlife and following these guidelines will help
ensure the safety and happiness of the whales for generations to come.
Soundwatch is an educational group sponsored by The Whale Museum. They
distribute information and guidelines to recreational boaters on the water.
For more information, visit the Whale Museums web site by clicking on
this link. Whale
Museum
 If
you are considering a whale watch tour in Washington State or Southern
BC, check out the list of WWOANW
members. Links to member’s company sites are also listed. You
will find the operator’s listed here to be safe, professional, and respectful
of the wildlife that calls this area home.
The Whale Watch Operators Association logo is your assurance of a responsible
company. Members adhere to the official Whale Watching Guidlines " LOOK
Before You Book ! "
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