Seattle: Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise
Description
*Get up close and personal with magnificent transient orcas, minke and humpback whales as well as harbor seal and an array of seabirds *Soak in stunning mountain, island and ocean vistas as you cruise through the Salish Sea *Perfect for a quick escape while staying in Seattle!
Tour Options
Itinerary
We start our tour from Pier 69 along historic Alaskan Way just steps from the world famous Pike Place Market.
Departing from Pier 69 on Seattle’s downtown waterfront, the vessel begins its journey by heading out into Elliott Bay. As you leave the dock, you’ll have a clear view of the Seattle skyline, with the iconic Space Needle standing tall to the right. The city’s skyscrapers line the shore, and the bustling waterfront gradually fades into the distance. It’s a smooth and scenic start to the trip, offering great photo opportunities and a unique perspective of Seattle from the water.
Departing from Pier 69 on the Seattle waterfront, less than a mile away from iconic attractions such as the Pike Place Market and the Space Needle. The whale and marine wildlife tour offers an exciting opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the Salish Sea while searching for orcas, humpback whales, gray whales, and minke whales in their natural habitat. Along the way, you may also spot seals, sea lions, porpoises, bald eagles, and other marine birds. A naturalist is on board to provide expert commentary and answer questions, helping you learn about the local ecosystem, whale behavior, and conservation efforts. The tour follows respectful wildlife viewing guidelines to ensure a safe and sustainable experience for both guests and animals. With comfortable seating, panoramic views, and plenty of opportunities for photos, this tour combines adventure, education, and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Seattle Aquarium
Seattle Waterfront
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(296)
Was good but a little disappointing mostly only saw fin not whole whales. Nice boat ride relaxing. But all in all he tried
Had a lot of fun. The crew was great. Took a while but we did see a whale and it was amazing. Would recommend.
Wonderful morning whale watching! The crew and staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the wildlife. Highly recommend!
We did not get to see any whales or dolphins. We didi get to see some sea lions resting on a buoy. The ride itself was very gentle on the clipper. I think the admission fee is a bit high, but since we did not get to see whales or dolphins they will refund us or set up a new date to get to see whales and dolphins. It was a relaxing boat ride and the coffee was good.
The crew was great and the vessle was very nice. It was brand new as of May 2026. Although we did not see any orkas, we did see a couple of gray whales and a humpback whale. We also saw some sea lions. The food on board was good as well and the naturalist aboard have interesting facts about the wildlife in the area.
We truly appreciate your feedback, Rob! We hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future!
Great tour saw whales and orcas fast boat also they take pictures you can download latter so you can foucs on seeing the sea life
Excellent tour by knowledgeable team in a very clean boat. Respectful to the whales and orcas. Lots of educational materials for children and facts for adults.
Highly recommended, I saw more whales than ever before while whalewatching, I took so many pictures with my Sony with a small tele. I was so exited to see your photos, thank you for sharing ! We see us again next time I'm in Seattle. Roswitha
Amazing! They took us out so far and we saw a family of orcas. And a humpback and some sea lions. Way better than expected
Had a great time out in the water and getting the opportunity to see whales, sea lions, and other species. The process to board was super easy, they had food/drinks on the boat ride, and the staff were super helpful in educating us about the wildlife and what to spot for. They were super attentive and happy to answer any questions.
