Where can I see orcas in Seattle?
You can try whale watching from the shore at Alki Beach in West Seattle, just a short drive or water taxi trip away from downtown. The beach is a popular spot for seals and their pups to rest, making it a draw for Orcas as well.
When can you see killer whales in Seattle?
You can see orcas in Seattle, Washington and the surrounding areas year round. But summer between May and September are the best times to kayak with orcas. That’s because their food source, salmon, is most active around this time.
Are there killer whales in Seattle?
While Seattle is defined by stunning mountain views, the Puget Sound is the heart and soul of the city. While all whales in the region are dealing with this problem, the hardest hit in the Puget Sound are the orcas, also known as killer whales, although they’re technically in the dolphin family.
Where can you see orcas in Washington?
San Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands off the coast of northwestern Washington are known for being one of the best places to see orcas in the wild. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Seattle to Anacortes, then a short ferry ride across the sound to Friday Harbor, where many whale-watching outfitters leave on daily excursions.
Is it safe to kayak with orcas?
Is it safe to be around orcas (killer whales) in a sea kayak? Yes, and it is a thrill that you will never forget! Orcas are incredibly smart, observant, and remarkably agile for their size. They never bump into kayaks or act aggressive in any way.
Are there orcas in the Puget Sound?
Killer whales in Puget Sound. Three distinct groups of killer whales (Orcinus orca) occupy the coastal waters of the northeastern Pacific. Among these, southern resident and transient killer whales commonly are found in Puget Sound.
Why are Puget Sound orcas dying?
As the population of southern resident killer whales continues to decline, media outlets around the world have reported that Puget Sound’s orcas are dying of starvation. They point to other possible factors, such as disease and genetic conditions related to inbreeding within the small population.
Is it safe to swim with orcas in the wild?
Is it safe to swim or dive with Orcas? Yes, however, you have to be very cautious, because they are still wild animals and need attention all the time. Orcas owe their name “killer whale” to the early whalers Because they apparently attacked and killed all other animals, even the largest whales.
Has anyone been swallowed by a whale?
Despite occasional reports of whales scooping people into their mouths, it’s incredibly rare—and for all but one species, swallowing a human is physically impossible. On Friday, a lobster diver made headlines when he described miraculously surviving being “swallowed” by a humpback whale off Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Is it safe to swim with wild orcas?
Why are orcas dying in Puget Sound?
Human activities have been implicated in the decline and lack of recovery of the southern resident killer whale population, including ship noise and strikes, contaminants, reduced prey abundance and past capture of these animals for aquariums.
Is an orca a killer whale?
Orcas are also known as killer whales, but this name is misleading. These marine mammals are not mindless killers, but highly intelligent predators hunting in co-ordinated raids. They care for old and sick individuals in their pod.
When is the best time for whale watching in Seattle?
The best time of year for whale watching in Seattle and the Puget Sound is springtime. This is when grey whales come in close to Everett and Edmonds (both towns are within the greater Seattle area), to feed on ghost shrimp during March, April and May.
What is the best whale watching tour in Seattle?
Choose Seattle Orca Whale Watching. At Seattle Orca Whale Watching (in partnership with San Juan Safaris) we take great pride in providing you with the best orca whale watching and wildlife tours in the Pacific Northwest .
When is whale watching season in Seattle?
Best time for whale watching: Whale watching season near Seattle falls between March and October, with the species of whale you’re likely to see varying by month within that range. The first gray whales appear in the region in March and April. Orcas are common in the summer months of May through September,…