Top Washington Wildlife Watching

Set sea and observe the Pacific Northwest’s majestic wildlife on this half-day whale watching cruise. Take in picturesque scenery of the San Juan Islands while searching for orca, humpback, and gray whales. Along the way, spot additional ocean creatures in their natural environment, such as seals, porpoises, sea lions, and otters.

There are very few places in the world where you can experience the stars in the sky and illuminated water around you at the same time. Our trip starts off with a beautiful sunset paddle in Griffin Bay off of San Juan Island where we kayak among harbor seals, roosting birds, and other wildlife. Then as the night progresses, the environment around us becomes even more serene as the bioluminescent sea life comes to life. This is one of those experiences that you will truly remember forever. Please contact Outdoor Odysseys directly to complete your waivers prior to the tour. The last ferry leaves Friday Harbor at 9:50pm and our June, July, and August tours end later.

Get up close with the killer whales off Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juan Islands near Seattle, on this guided, 3.5-hour whale-watching cruise from Eastsound. Led by naturalist guides and captains, climb aboard a Blackfish fleet vessel and travel through some of the most picturesque scenery in the Pacific Northwest searching for orca, humpback and gray whales. Along the way, see ocean wildlife in their natural environment, like seals, porpoises, sea lions and otters — plus a wide variety of birds and more. Sightings are guaranteed from April through early September.

Get up close with the killer whales of Anacortes, the home port to the San Juan Islands, on this whale-watching cruise led by naturalist guides. Climb aboard a Blackfish fleet vessel and travel through some of the most picturesque scenery in the Pacific Northwest searching for orca, humpback, and gray whales. Along the way, see ocean wildlife in their natural environment, like seals, porpoises, sea lions and otters—plus a wide variety of birds and more.

Get up close with the orca whales off the San Juan Islands near Seattle on this half-day whale-watching cruise. San Juan Island is where the southern resident killer whales live about six months out of the year, from mid-April to October. It’s also considered one of the best places to view orca whales.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of Seattle from Elliott Bay and Seattle Harbor on this narrated cruise. Learn about Seattle’s historic waterfront and get an up-close look at one of the world's largest shipping terminals. Take in the view of the city’s skyline with a spectacular panoramic background of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, including majestic Mt. Rainier. Food and beverages are available for purchase onboard the ship.

Pass through the renowned Ballard Locks and learn about the complex system on a cruise that transports you between the freshwater of Lake Union and the saltwater of Puget Sound. The one-way cruise can be used as transportation, making it ideal for travelers who want to avoid traffic and enjoy a unique journey from the Seattle waterfront to the AGC Marina on South Lake Union (or vice versa).

This is the perfect tour for anyone looking to get out on the water for a few hours on their San Juan Island vacation. With pick-up and drop-off in downtown Friday Harbor, this family and beginner-friendly three hour tour gets you kayaking among pelagic wildlife in the shadow of Mt. Baker. After picking you up at the Friday Harbor waterfront, we'll take a short drive over to Jackson's Beach, coach you through basic paddling and safety techniques and get you out on the serene waters and tidal zone of Griffin Bay as to circumnavigate Dinner Island with views of the Olympic Mountains cresting above Cattle Pass. With morning and afternoon departure times, we think this tour is a great way to dabble in some kayaking, have some laughs, enjoy nature, and make memories with your travel companions.

South Sound Kayak Tours specializes in small group kayak adventures on South Puget Sound. Join us for a guided 3hr tour to Hope Island Marine State Park! Located just 30min from Olympia and convenient to the Olympic Peninsula, Hope Island remains one of the best places to kayak in the area. The protected waters that surround the island offer the opportunity to see seals, sea lions, porpoise, eagles, and all the amazing creatures living just below the surface. Once on the island, you'll have time to explore the various trails, old growth forests, or picnic under the historic fruit trees. On those bluebird days take in the views of both the Olympics and Mt Rainier! **Ages (5+) with an Adult (16+) Weight Limit 240lbs per person. Solo or One person bookings may be cancelled or rescheduled to meet 2 person tour minimum.**

Make the most of summer in Seattle on an evening cruise that takes you past the city's skyline from a vantage point on the water. Pass by Elliott Bay, Alki Point, and into Puget Sound as the sun begins to set—perfect for snapping golden hour photos. Up on the top deck, enjoy an included drink (cocktail, mocktail, beer, or wine) and feel free to purchase more from the onboard bar and catch a glimpse of the Olympic Mountains.

What makes this tour special is the combination of calm-water kayaking and rich, place-based storytelling. As your local guide, I don’t just point out wildlife—I help you understand the why and how behind what you’re seeing. Why do harbor seals choose Liberty Bay to raise their pups? How does the marine ecosystem here support such abundant birdlife? What’s the story behind Poulsbo’s Nordic harbor and its transformation over time? This is more than a paddle—it's a guided exploration through history, ecology, and the unique identity of Liberty Bay. Whether you're new to kayaking or an experienced paddler, this tour is designed to be accessible, educational, and memorable. Expect a relaxed pace, stable kayaks, and thoughtful interpretation that leaves you with a deeper connection to the Puget Sound.

Hike Mount Rainier National Park's Three Burroughs Trail with an expert local guide to lead the way with this semi-private guided tour. Your guide will lead you and your group on a moderate-to-challenging hiking trail, with the option to hike for anywhere from four to six miles, depending on your preferences.

We are the only on island company offering natural history hiking tours. We also provide natural history interpretation of the local flora, fauna, and geology. Our Mission: To provide an experience rooted in nature, community, and culture that is fun, interactive, and informative. And to do so with a positive and minimal impact on the environment and communities in which we operate. 1% of all profits are given to environmental causes supporting the San Juan Islands.

Experience the natural beauty of Mt. Rainier with the help of a guide to lead the way on this full-day group tour from Seattle. Enjoy a scenic, narrated journey past lakes, waterfalls, historic towns, and Mt. Rainier. Take in spectacular views from Narada Falls, considered the most popular waterfall in Mt. Rainier National Park, and the aptly named Paradise. Includes pickup and drop-off from select downtown Seattle and airport hotels for your convenience.

Experience the best of Bainbridge Island with our Discovery and Distillery Tasting Tour, a truly unique adventure that blends history, nature, and local flavors. What sets this tour apart is the exclusive access to hidden gems like Pia the Peacekeeper Troll and the serene Halls Hill Labyrinth, places often missed by casual visitors. You'll not only explore breathtaking locations but also enjoy a personalized distillery tasting at Bainbridge Organic Distillers, where you’ll savor the island’s finest craft spirits. With our intimate group sizes and 10+ years of experience in creating unforgettable experiences, this tour offers a curated and immersive way to discover the island’s beauty and culture. Don’t miss out—book now for a memorable day of discovery, stories, and delicious tastings!

Go zip lining through the forest on Camano Island! Located just an hour north of Seattle, the tour features: A ride in a historic Unimog forest vehicle 6 zip lines (the longest is 660 feet) A log bridge 2 short trail walks A 47-foot final descent (don’t worry, we there’s a constant velocity device which does the work so you float down smoothly) Enjoy zip lining through an old growth forest, or bring your coworkers to engage in creative team-building events designed to smash stress and release creativity. Experience the stunning natural beauty of Washington’s most-visited state park. Under two hours from Seattle, Deception Pass State Park boasts 14.6 miles of saltwater shoreline . At around 4,000 acres, this massive park spans parts of two neighboring islands, Fidalgo Island and Whidbey Island. The parklands are connected by Canoe Pass Bridge and Deception Pass Bridge, an architectural gem . This tour will have a maximum of 5 travelers per SUV and a maximum of 14 people per VAN

As you wander through our forested pathways under a beautiful canopy of trees, you will stop and learn about each individual resident of our pack. During this experience you will gain a better understanding of wolves in the wild and what it means to own a wolfdog as a pet while listening to the peaceful sounds of nature. We will end the activity with a group howl and a visit with one of our Ambassadors.

Not long ago a family member would have had a farm you could visit, those days are gone. Here on our homestead/working farm you will have an opportunity to experience and learn of how and where your food comes from, You will have a chance to interact with some of the animals we raise, possibly help bottle feed their young and explore the gardens. Animals include: cows, sheep, goats, alpacas, pigs, livestock guardian dogs, bees, and various poultry. Gardens include: Cutting flowers, vegetables, herbs, greenhouse, berry patches and fruit trees.

Make your visit to Seattle unforgettable by visiting the only Bainbridge Island lavender farm. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest with our lavender fields near Seattle and enjoy the native forest walk. We will guide you through the varieties of lavender on our farm and teach you how to snip like a pro. Each ticket includes a hands-on experience: cutting your own lavender bundle and learning to de-bud dried lavender. We encourage you to stay awhile, bring a picnic, snap photos in the field and Walk through the native forest learning as you go with our written guide. Enjoy a refreshing lavender lemonade on the porch while exploring the charming Farm Stand for unique, hand-made lavender products. Whether you are traveling with friends, family, your pup or solo, Bluetree Farm and Forest is a perfect stop to do something interactive, engaging and fun! We can't wait to meet you.

We're offering professional guiding to help parents or guardians get kids out on the water for possibly the first time in a kayak. As part of this tour the family will travel to an offshore island for an exciting hike, a lunch that we'll prepare and some time on the beach in addition to the kayaking that we'll be doing.