The 10 Best Boat Tours & Water Sports in San Juan Islands, San Juan Islands

January 18, 2022 Rebbecca Marino

Start your Pacific Northwest vacation in style, with a seaplane or ferry ride to the San Juan Islands from Seattle. It’s the ultimate way to take in the beauty of this region that Mother Nature has so abundantly blessed. You have a choice of three alluring islands – Lopez, the most rural, a mix of rolling farmland and beaches; Orcas, the largest of the San Juan Islands and replete with verdant mountains and placid lakes; and San Juan Island, where vibrant Friday Harbor welcomes ferry and seaplane guests and offers an array of charming accommodations and gourmet eateries.

Whether it’s whale-watching and sea kayaking, touring an art gallery or browsing a local farmers’ market, the San Juan Islands offer pleasing diversions for every age and interest. For the best chance to view orca whales and other sea life, plan your trip between April and September – a number of tour operators are available throughout the islands. Rev up your energy level with biking tours through rolling meadows and farmland, go birding on San Juan Island, hike the region’s modest mountains – offering outstanding vistas from the top – or go charter fishing for the day. Other favorites include hiking to Lime Kiln Lighthouse on San Juan Island, taking a scenic flight over the area, attending an outdoor summer concert in the park and horseback riding.


Restaurants in San Juan Islands

1. Shearwater Kayak Tours

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5.0 based on 544 reviews

Shearwater Kayak Tours

Explore the San Juan Islands by kayak with Shearwater! Guided tours in stable, 2-person kayaks. Seals, bald eagles, otters, & porpoise are common wildlife sightings. Morning, afternoon, & evening 3-hr tours; or pack a lunch and join a Paddle & Picnic trip. Custom group tours can be tailored to your needs. Special tours include: spring wildflowers moonlight, and bioluminescent kayaking. Call now for info and reservations!

2. Deer Harbor Charters

Excellent
91%
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5.0 based on 305 reviews

Deer Harbor Charters

Join us for a fun and exciting tour today! Our mission at Deer Harbor Charters is to educate and inform our guests about the current changes in our marine ecosystem, while maintaining respectful and responsible behavior around our local wildlife. We are proud to work with our local researchers to ensure our footprint remains as small as possible. Locally family owned business founded in 1988, we are in our third decade of providing high quality, responsible Whale & Wildlife tours and we are excited to show our guests our amazing "backyard"! We operating Whale & Wildlife Tours, Day Sailing, Sunset Cruises and more from three departure locations on Orcas Island, WA - Deer Harbor Marina, Rosario Resort & Orcas Ferry Landing. We are the first established Wildlife Tours company on Orcas Island, and we are very proud to offer entertaining & responsible marine tours for guests, our friends and neighbors for the last 32 years. We look forward to seeing you soon!

3. Western Prince Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours

Excellent
95%
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5.0 based on 1,111 reviews

Western Prince Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours

Just 90 miles north of Seattle, Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours from Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington. Owner Operated, Experienced Local Naturalist Guides, Small Groups, Two Great Boats. Choose from the fast and comfortable 46' Western Prince II (limited to 32 passengers or less, with seating for 41) or, for the more adventurous, the Expedition Style 40' Western Explorer II (limited to 25 passengers or less).

4. Maya's Legacy Whale Watching

Excellent
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5.0 based on 1,490 reviews

Maya's Legacy Whale Watching

Maya’s Legacy Whale Watching provides small group whale watching & wildlife tours from Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington, the best location to experience Orca whales in the wild. We also offer private charter whale watch & wildlife tours for small groups and larger parties. Recreational, engaging and informative, we offer memorable experiences with a passionate crew , custom-built whale watching boats, and small groups of passengers. We offer two convenient departure locations on San Juan Island. Our whale watching & wildlife tours depart year-round from downtown Friday Harbor, next to the ferry landing, and Snug Harbor Resort, on the west side of San Juan Island.

5. San Juan Excursions

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5.0 based on 778 reviews

San Juan Excursions

Our Guarantee: See whales or your next trip is free! Fun and educational whale watch/wildlife cruises you'll never forget! April through September from Friday Harbor in the "sunny San Juan Islands" aboard the spacious, comfortable and stable 65 foot vessel "Odyssey." Locally owned and operated with local naturalist guides. 10% AAA, military, teacher and other discounts.

6. Orcas Island Sailing

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5.0 based on 53 reviews

Orcas Island Sailing

We offer personalized sailing lessons for those of you looking for a true sailing experience. No prior experience is required. No crowds, just you and yours. Families are encouraged! We have a wonderful fleet of boats each with their own appeal: 19' & 20' day-sailers, 22' & 27' pocket cruisers. For qualified sailors we also offer bareboat charters. Please give us a call today!

7. Northwest Classic Daysailing

Excellent
88%
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5.0 based on 86 reviews

Northwest Classic Daysailing

Offering 3-hour private day-sails aboard Classic Wooden Sloop "Aura" from May to October, departing from the Deer Harbor Marina. Learn to sail, steer and handle lines as much or as little as you desire. Bring food for a floating picnic. We will navigate through the scenic heart of the San Juans. Maximum 6 people. It's beautiful out there!

8. Spirit of Orca Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours

Excellent
94%
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5.0 based on 574 reviews

Spirit of Orca Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours

The Most Loved Cetaceans of the World, Friday Harbor WA 'An Intimate and Personal Experience with your captain and the whales' 6 Passenger Limit! Observing whales in the 'WILD' in their 'Natural Environment' is one of our greatest passions and after touring with us we know it will be one of yours too. Your captain is a retired captain with 38 years experience sailing mostly oceans in Pacific and Atlantic. He is a certified Naturalist and loves to share personal stories about the whales you will be seeing.

9. Emerald Isle Sailing Charters

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5.0 based on 55 reviews

Emerald Isle Sailing Charters

Discover the hidden side of the Pacific Northwest coast while sailing the San Juans, or Inside Passage with your naturalist captain as he guides your small group in an intimate exploration of wildlife and natural splendor. Enjoy feasting on gourmet northwest cuisine and relaxing aboard our warm and comfortable 54' sailing yacht. Luxuriate in an effortless letting go of stress and worry as our attentive service, in an enchanting environment join to bring you a deep relaxation of the soul. Come let us show you why every one of our Tripadvisor reviews is 5 stars!

10. Crystal Seas Kayaking - Day Tours

Excellent
96%
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5.0 based on 738 reviews

Crystal Seas Kayaking - Day Tours

Premiere Active Vacations in the San Juan Islands Since 1993 Crystal Seas Kayaking specializes in guided 3 hour, full day, sunset and multi-day kayaking and multi-sport trips in Washington's sunny San Juan Islands - mid March through mid October. The perfect adventure for singles, couples, groups, and families - no experience is necessary. We are locally owned and operated by second generation islanders on San Juan Island and proudly support local businesses, organizations, schools and small farms. Besides the incredible scenery and wildlife, our guides are a huge part of why you will love your trip. The majority of our staff are locals who majored in science or recreation and all of them have an infectious love and knowledge of the outdoors. They are all naturalists who are CPR and First Aid certified and many are also Wilderness First Responders.

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