--- title: Classic Whale Watch & Wildlife Tour from Roche Harbor slug: classic-whale-watch-and-wildlife-tour-from-roche-harbor type: attraction sub_type: whale watching source_url: https://www.tripster.com/detail/classic-whale-watch-and-wildlife-tour-from-roche-harbor city: Roche Harbor state: WA country: US address: 248 Reuben Memorial Drive geo: lat: 48.60843 lng: -123.15291 duration: up to 4 hrs cancellation_policy: Free cancellation up to 2 days before the experience. extracted_at: 2026-06-16T17:28:33.336Z price_from: amount: 115 currency: USD unit: per_adult availability: InStock rating: value: 4.5 count: 163 scale: 5 ticket_options: - group: Other Options options: - name: Whale Watch & Wildlife Tour from Roche Harbor price: 115 regular_price: 125 savings: 10 ticket_types: - name: Adult (13+ yrs) min_age: 13 - name: Child (2-12 yrs) min_age: 2 max_age: 12 - name: Infant (0-1 yrs) min_age: 0 max_age: 1 --- ## Overview This Classic Whale Watch and Wildlife Tour from Roche Harbor offers a 3–4 hour guided excursion to see orcas, humpback whales, seals, eagles, and more aboard the 55-foot Sea Lion vessel with marine naturalists on board. ## What's Included - Guided wildlife tour aboard the 55-foot Sea Lion vessel - Professional marine naturalists providing real-time interpretation - Access to heated inside cabin areas with indoor and outdoor seating - Field guide library and children’s books on board - Onboard restrooms ## What's Not Included - Alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana products are prohibited (implied as not included) ## Ticket Options - **Whale Watch & Wildlife Tour from Roche Harbor** — $115.00 (regularly $125.00, save $10.00) Enjoy 3-4 hours on the water, departing from Roche Island, in search of whales and wildlife. Marine Naturalists are on-board to answer all questions and teach you about the local wildlife and ecology of the San Juan Islands. - Adult (13+ yrs) - Child (2-12 yrs) - Infant (0-1 yrs) ## Good to Know - The Sea Lion vessel can take up to 40 passengers at a time. - Tour duration is about 3 to 4 hours. - San Juan Island is accessed via the Washington State Ferry departing from Anacortes, WA. - The vessel has a large marine restroom on board. - Parents of children under 2 years old should keep them in the windowed, heated cabin or use a "wear on" baby carrier for safety. - Recommended to wear warm layers, flat rubber-soled shoes, a hat, rain jacket or windbreaker, and gloves (especially for spring and fall). - Recommended to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, binoculars, camera, water bottle (no glass), and snacks. - Due to safety reasons, the vessel can accommodate a person but not the wheelchair; if able to stand and climb steps, the operator will try to pre-board. - Peak whale season is mid-June through early September, with a 90% chance of sightings during these months. - The tour focuses on ethical wildlife viewing and education with a wildlife sighting guarantee (though whale sightings themselves are not guaranteed). ## Cancellation Policy Free Changes & Cancellations available; see details upon selection. ## FAQs ### Where does this tour depart? This Classic Whale Watch & Wildlife Tour departs from Roche Harbor located at 248 Reuben Memorial Drive, Roche Harbor, WA 98250. ### Is the tour appropriate for children? Yes, it is great for all ages. There are also children's books on board for the kids. Parents of children under 2 years of age are asked to stay in the windowed, heated cabin or use a "wear on" baby carrier for safety reasons. ### Is there a bathroom? Yes, the Sea Lion vessel has a large marine restroom on board. ### What should I wear? Temperatures are significantly cooler on the water so warm layers and flat shoes with a rubber bottom, such as tennis shoes, are recommended. Other recommended items include a hat, rain jacket or windbreaker, and gloves (ideally for spring and fall tours). ### What should I bring? The following items are recommended: sunglasses, sunscreen, binoculars, camera, water bottle (no glass please), and snacks. Alcohol, tobacco and marijuana products are prohibited. ### Will the vessel accommodate a person in a wheelchair? Due to safety reasons, the vessel can accommodate the person but not the wheelchair because all seats must be anchored to the boat itself. If the person can stand, walk up two steps on the outside of boat, then one on the inside, the tour operator will do their best to pre-board them. If you need assistance, please note your request in the comment section above when booking your reservation. ### What is the best month to see the whales? Peak season is considered the summer months of mid-June through early September. During this time, you will see whales (orcas, humpbacks, greys and/or minkes) on over 90% of these tours. There are whales in the San Juan Islands year round, but much less predictably outside of those summer months. ### What will I see on this tour? This tour offers breathtaking scenery and marine wildlife as you cruise in search for orcas, whales, seals, bald eagles, sea lions, porpoises, and much more. ### Are whale sightings guaranteed? While sightings of marine wildlife are guaranteed, whale sightings are not guaranteed. However, 20 years of sightings data shows that you will have a 90% chance of seeing whales during the peak months of June – September. ### How do you get to San Juan Islands? San Juan Island is accessed via the Washington State Ferry that departs from Anacortes, WA. Anacortes is an easy 2-hour drive north of downtown Seattle. The ferry schedule changes seasonally and the ferry departs at specific times typically around 9 am. ## Reviews > "Amazing!" > — marymV398ES, September 12, 2024 > "Great trip" > — timcleavenger, October 11, 2018