See Orcas in the Salish Sea
Orca Watching: A Killer Good Time
Seeing the resident orcas (also known as killer whales) is a uniquely Puget Sound experience, and when you stay in Seattle Southside it's easy and affordable to make the dream of seeing these gorgeous creatures a reality.
A Brief History of Orcas in Puget Sound
There are two different kinds of orcas that can be seen in Puget Sound: the Southern Resident Orcas, who are a distinct population of orcas that exclusively feed on fish in the waters of the Salish Sea and Puget Sound region, and Transient Orcas, also known as Bigg's Orcas, who feed on other marine mammals such as seals and smaller porpoises. While these so-called "killer whales" are a common part of whale watching tours in the Seattle area, they're actually not whales at all but a very large species of porpoise! These majestic marine mammals have captivated the hearts of locals and visitors alike.
The Southern Resident Orcas live in tight-knit family groups called pods, which consist of several generations of related individuals. There are three pods in the Puget sound, called J, K, and L pods. Each has its own unique vocalizations and communication patterns, creating distinct "dialects" among the different pods. They primarily feed on Chinook salmon, a keystone species in the region, and their dependence on this specific prey has made them vulnerable to fluctuations in salmon populations. In fact, 97% of the Southern Resident Orcas' diet consists of salmon species of various kinds, and their survival is dependent on the health of the salmon species that inhabit the region.
The Transient Orcas are larger in size and have a diet of seals, smaller porpoises and whales, and other marine mammals. While it's hard to tell the difference between the two kinds of Orcas based on their size from a distance, you can also tell them apart by the shape of their saddle patch, the light grey or white patch located behind the dorsal fin. On Southern Resident Orcas, this saddle patch is a sort of open "U" shape, while Transient Orcas have a solid patch.
The people of the Lummi Nation, a coastal Salish tribe, consider the Southern Resident Orcas to be kin, and have a long, rich history of story and ritual connecting them to their family beneath the waves. While the Resident orcas of Puget Sound are a beloved symbol of the region's natural beauty, they face numerous threats to their survival. These include declining salmon populations, pollution, and underwater noise from boat traffic. As a result, the Southern Resident Orcas are listed as an endangered species, highlighting the need for conservation efforts and protective measures to ensure their long-term survival. Before laws were passed to protect these beautiful creatures, calves were sometimes stolen away from their pods by those seeking to use them for entertainment purposes. One such whale, known as Tokitae or "Lolita" as her captives called her, is being returned to her native waters after more than fifty years of captivity thanks to the efforts of local tribespeople as well as conservationists.
Encountering the orcas of Puget Sound in their natural habitat is a truly awe-inspiring experience. Their grace, intelligence, and complex social structures make them an iconic symbol of the region's unique marine ecosystem and serve as a reminder of the need to preserve and cherish the natural wonders of our waters for future generations. June is Orca Awareness Month, and it's more importanbt than ever to take the steps needed to protect these wonderful creatures.
Taking a Whale Watching Tour from Seattle
FRS Clipper offers whale watching that leaves directly from the waterfront in downtown Seattle, which is just a short drive or light rail ride away from Seattle Southside. Parking located across the street from Pier 69 is partially validated, though not entirely free. A better option is to take the Light Rail into downtown Seattle and make a day trip of it, stopping at other attractions like Pike Place Market along your way to or from the tour. These tours last three to five hours depending on the wildlife sighted and take you around the waters of the Puget Sound, where you can see Orcas, humpback whales, harbor porpoises, seals, and more. I took the tour on a beautiful, perfect sunny day, so I rode on the open seating on the top deck in the sun the entire trip. The cabin, however, is comfortable and roomy, not to mention heated and air conditioned, just in case you happen to go on a day when the weather is less perfect. On board, there is a snack bar with service available once your tour gets underway, including packaged pastries and sandwiches from local Alki Bakery. Coffee, sodas, water, beer, cider, and even a few cocktails are also avilable. Because the ride is so smooth and comfortable, it's a great option for anyone who wants to go whale watching regardless of age or condition. The boat is accessible for standard manual wheelchairs, as well.
If you don't come with a camera with a gigantic lens, like we did, you'll want to either bring a pair of binoculars or rent a pair from the snack bar on the ship. Even without binoculars, you'll still be able to see the whales - you just may want to be able to get a closer look. Laws to protect whales from ships mean that a certain respectful distance needs to be kept from these gorgeous creatures so that the noise from the ship's engines don't effect them. Your tour will have a naturalist on board to help explain the behaviors you're seeing from the whales and they'll identify exactly what kind of Orcas you're seeing, whether they're Southern Resident or Transient Orcas. They'll also point out any other animals that can be seen on your tour; in addition to the Orcas, we saw harbor porpoises, a seal, and multiple different kinds of sea birds.
The FRS Clipper team guarantees that whales will be sighted on your tour, and if not, you'll receive a voucher for a free tour on another day good for up to a year. We got to see Southern Resident Orcas surfacing multiple times as they moved north through the waters of the Sound. It was incredible getting to see this group of around twenty whales in person, and it was an incredibly awe-inspiring moment that is hard to put into words. It really reminded me that we need to act quickly to save these critically endangered Orcas, and drove home the importance of treating our waters with respect.
Flying to the Whales
Another option that takes off directly from Seattle Southside combines two quintessentially Pacific Northwestern experiences - flying in a seaplane and going whale watching! Fly2Whales takes off from South Lake Washington in Renton aboard a Friday Harbor Seaplane that takes you directly to the San Juan Islands for a whale watching tour with Western Prince Whale Watching. Check off not one but two bucket list items with a scenic flight aboard a seaplane combined with the thrill of whale watching out of the San Juan Islands. This is definitely a tour for the more adventurous whale watcher out there, as the Western Prince tours are conducted on an open boat with a much smaller group than the FRS Clipper tours. Don't worry about getting too cold, though, as they provide you with a special suit to put on over your street clothes, as well as a hat and gloves to help you stay warm. Since it's a more thrilling ride, it is not recommended for children 6 and under, people in late-term pregnancy, or those with back or neck injuries.
Despite the fact that it's an open boat, the ride is very smooth - unless you're very sensitive to seasickness, you're not likely to deal with nausea during the tour. You'll want to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a snack/water bottle - this ship does not offer food and drink for purchase. The tour itself lasts three hours at a minimum, but may be extended depending on what's sighted.
Whale Watching From the Shore
A budget-friendly option if you have good binoculars and are willing to do the driving legwork is watching Orcas from the shores of Puget Sound. The nonprofit Orca Network continually updates their Facebook page with places where Orcas have been sighted, and they maintain a map of places to view Orcas. While this does mean a bit more driving around and may not be as direct as a whale watching tour, it is also a great way to explore the neighborhood while whale watching!
More Whale Watching
There are even more options available for whale watching near Seattle Southside. No matter who you choose to take a tour with, Seattle Southside is the ideal home base for any whale watching adventure in the Pacific Northwest. The proximity to the airport, ease of transportation access, and affordable prices all make this the ideal home base for any whale watching adventure.
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