2023 Season Experience Update: B.Y.O.B. (bring your own bedding and bath supplies)
We setup cedar platforms with canvas tents on walk-in Moran State Park campsites.
You take it from there.
Whale watching and the San Juan Islands goes together like s’mores and a campfire. A campfire is better with s’mores, and your Orcas Island vacation will be better if you add a whale watching adventure to your glamping trip. Haven’t been on a whale watch? Keep reading – we’ve compiled a handful of tips to help you be comfortable on the high seas!
Charting your course
Great San Juan Island whale watching starts with great planning. Be sure to consider your ferry or flight schedule when planning your whale watching trip. Allowing enough time between getting to the Island and your whale watching trip will ensure that you’ll have a smooth transition. It’s also important to note where your whale watch boat will depart. Believe it or not, Orcas Island is pretty well spread out. So, depending on your tour operator, you could be looking at a forty-minute drive from camp to their dock!
Meal Planning
Some whale watch tours take off around lunch or dinner. If you’d like to have a bite after your trip, be sure to allow for a buffer. Tours can last up to four hours depending on where the whales happen to be! It’s best to double-check the hours for that lunch spot you’ve got in mind to see if they’ll be open after the boat ride. Lots of lunch spots on the Island close up around 3pm. Packing a portable picnic lunch is one great way to make sure that you don’t miss your mid-day meal.
Sunset whale watching cruises can be wonderful. They can also keep you out on the water right up-until dinner spots close up for the night. Before you make dinner reservations, be sure double-check your tour times and, you guessed it, allow for a bit of Island-timing in your plans.
If you’re looking for ‘late’ night meal options, Rosario Resort is a good choice. They’re a bit closer to our glamping sites than Eastsound and generally have a menu available in The Lounge until 11pm during the summer months. Be sure to keep ‘em in mind for handy late-night food!
Gearing up for Whale Watching
Here’s a quick look and what should (and should not!) be in your backpack on the whale watch boat:
Pack: Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, gloves, heavy coat, refillable water bottle, camera, and snacks.
Sunglasses and sunscreen are really important – even on a cloudy day. You’ll be glad that you brought a heavy coat along. While some whale watch boats offer enclosed cabins, chances are good that you’ll want to be outside when all of the Orcas are in action. Remember, the water is way colder than the air. The best way to stay comfortable both at the dock and out at sea is to have a few layers handy. Even if air temps are in the 80’s, it could feel like it’s 50 – 60 degrees out on the water!
Don’t pack: Blankets, binoculars, guide books.
Most every whale watch operator will offer these to all guests on-board. Leave them behind and capitalize on the extra room for food, drink, and warm clothing!
Photo-optional
Almost everyone on your boat will be trying to capture that perfect shot of an Orca in the wild. Rest assured that ‘capturing’ the moment is optional. If you’re really into photography, go ahead and seize the opportunity. If you’re just after fodder for friends and family, put the smart phone away. Removing the barriers between you and these magical mammals will make your encounter more special and more memorable than a smart phone photo could.
Here’s our most important tip: naturalists on board will take lots of photos that they’re happy to share. Go ahead, fully immerse yourself in the experience and have the naturalist-captured photos e-mailed to you.
You can’t call the wild
While the San Juan Islands are spoiled to be home to both resident Orca pods and ‘Bigg’s,’ Orcas are still wildlife and are totally unpredictable. It’s definitely a privilege to view an Orca in the wild and never a guarantee. Set sail with low expectations for sightings and, if you are lucky enough to experience an encounter, you’ll be all the more blown-away.
Book a glamping site
Glamping is an unparalleled way to experience the natural beauty of Orcas Island. And, our Washington State glamping sites are really popular. If you’ve got specific dates in mind for your Orcas Island vacation, we recommend that you book your Moran State Park glamping site as soon as you can.
If you’re looking to get glamping with us this season, you’re in luck. We’ve got a few spots left. You can snag one if you act fast by clicking the big button below!
