Top Washington Wildlife Watching in 2026

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.

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.

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.

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.

Combine visits to both Snoqualmie Falls and Twin Falls in Washington with this half-day, small-group hiking tour that allows you to go with a guide, so you don’t get lost in a new outdoor space. A morning tour helps you connect with nature and appreciate the natural beauty of the area.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Seeing the highlights of Mt. Rainer National Park in one day can be difficult if you don’t know where to go and downright impossible if you don’t have a car. Make your trip easy (and leave the driving to someone else) with this small-group tour from Seattle. Depending on when you visit, you might see wildflower meadows, alpine vistas, and waterfalls, either on a hike or on a snowshoe adventure.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.