Port Angeles Half Day Whale Watching Tour
Visiting Olympic National Park via Port Angeles? This whale watching tour allows you to see humpbacks and orcas during your visit!
Upcoming Tours
(Note that departure times can vary due to tides: see note in “Things to Know” below)
September 3 – October 13, 2024
12:30pm departure
May 10 – 31, 2025
12:30pm departure
June 1 – September 1, 2025
10am and 2:30pm departures
September 2 – October 12, 2025
12:30pm departure
TRIP FARES
Adult: $135 Child (2-10): $105 Infants: FREE
Need lunch? We offer box lunches from The Silver Lining Cafe (order prior to 3pm the day before your tour).
DURATION
The tour is 3-4 hours in length. Our boats feature an inside heated cabin, TV monitors for naturalist presentations and map tracking the areas we travel through, restrooms and a galley serving snacks, hot and cold beverages, along with our warm Blueberry Buckle. We most often sail the Glacier Spirit for this tour.
For information on activities in Port Angeles to combine with whale watching, visit https://olympicpeninsula.org.
If your desired date of travel is full or unavailable, check out our Port Townsend tour, which departs just 45 minutes east of Port Angeles.
Convenience
This tour allows you to experience whale watching during your visit to Olympic National Park. We depart Port Angeles mid-day; our range includes the San Juan Islands, Victoria, BC, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Along our journey, the wildlife is endless from whales, bald eagles, harbor seals, California and Steller sea lions, tufted puffins and many other species of marine life. We’ll have you back in plenty of time to enjoy Hurricane Ridge, downtown Port Angeles, and the other splendors of the Olympic Peninsula.
Amazing! Don’t Hesitate!
A friend and I did the whale watching tour, and it was an INCREDIBLE experience! Every detail is thought through from the friendly check-in person to the dahlias on the tables, the blueberry buckle (a MUST)…The tour guides were excellent and we were so relaxed after the trip we didn’t want to leave! 110% recommend. It’s a joy! Thank you for making this a highlight of the trip!
Comfort
Our vessels feature comfortable inside seaing for everyone with a heated cabin, an outdoor viewing deck for wildlife, T’V monitors for naturalist presentations, a snack bar and restrooms. Don’t miss our signature, freshly-baked “blueberry buckle.” On-board you will have a trained naturalist that will guide you along the way and explain the scenery, geography, history and wildlife of the area.
Whales We See
Bigg’s Orcas (aka Transients)
Bigg’s orcas are apex predators – mammal-eating orcas that feed on a variety of prey – from harbor seals to sea lions, and even dolphins and small whales. Bigg’s orcas generally travel in small groups, usually of two to six animals, and can range from Southern California up to the Arctic circle. These are the orcas that we see most often in the Salish Sea, and they often put on quite a show after they complete a successful hunting foray! Bigg’s orcas are named in honor of cetologist Michael Bigg.
Gray Whales
The gray whale is a species of baleen whale, with a dark slate-gray color, and frequently covered by gray/white scars left by parasites which drop off in its cold feeding grounds. Grays have two blowholes on top of their head, which can create a distinctive heart-shaped blow at the surface. Adults range in length from 43–49 feet and weigh up to 40 tons. Each spring, gray whales migrate from the southern waters near Baja, north to Alaska. A small group of Grays nicknamed “Sounders” often turn east into Washington’s inland waters during the spring northern migration.
Humpback whales
The humpback whale is a species of baleen whale, and has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. They are known for breaching and other distinctive surface behaviors. Adults range in length from 39–52 feet and weigh nearly 40 tons. Their diet consists mostly of krill and small fish. Until commercial whaling was banned in 1996, humpbacks were nearly hunted to extinction. They have rebounded, however, and we are thrilled to have them back in our neighborhood.
Minke whales
The elusive minke whale is among the smallest of the baleen whales. Previously known as a ‘piked whale’ or ‘lesser finback’, the minke has a dark gray back and white undersides. Their pectoral fins have a distinctive white patch or band. Minkes range in length from 23-33 feet and weigh up to 10 tons. Minke whales are widely distributed throughout the North Pacific and Atlantic oceans. They migrate seasonally from polar feeding grounds to equatorial waters, where they breed and calve. Minkes feed on small schooling fish, crustaceans, and plankton.
The Hanke Family
from our family to yours
Three generations of our family have helped visitors have life-changing experiences with some of the most majestic creatures on the planet. We’re blessed to live in what’s been called “the American Serengeti,” with some of the highest concentration of whales and dolphins and sea life anywhere in the world — including our totem species, the orca. Few people know these waters like we do. Our experience and dedication makes it possible for us to guarantee that you’ll see whales on your trip — or we’ll give you another trip absolutely free.
Whale-wise Whale Watching
Puget Sound Express is a proud member of the Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA), dedicated to responsible, sustainable marine wildlife viewing and conservation in the Pacific Northwest. We’re also dedicated to reducing our footprint out there. The Saratoga and Swiftsure are sound-proofed, hydrofoil jet boats with no propellers, making them the quietest vessels in the whale watch fleet.
Things to Know
Are you traveling with an infant?
Children under the age of 2 can travel for free; however, if the boat is full that day, your child will be required to sit on your lap. You also have the option of purchasing a child’s rate ticket to ensure seating for your infant. NOTE: Infants must be included in your reservation.
Where do Port Angeles tours depart from?
115 E Railroad Ave, Port Angeles, WA 98362
We are located in downtown Port Angeles in the Port Angeles Wharf.
Port Angeles tours depart daily, but each day’s departure time may vary based on low tide or inclement weather. (These are highlighted in our reservation system as you book).
Checking-in
The PSE check-in window is located on the west side of the Port Angeles Wharf, along its boardwalk. Check-in is required 30 minutes prior to departure. Boarding closes 15 minutes prior to departure. If guests are not checked in by this time, tickets will be cancelled with no refund or ability to reschedule. If you are traveling from out of the area please bear in mine that ferries and bridge openings can make the trip slightly longer than a map or GPS software might indicate! Puget Sound Express is not responsible for traffic, ferry disruptions, or bridge closures. Please ensure enough travel time to account for the unexpected.
Changes/Cancellations
Our cancellation policy is 48 hours prior to a tour’s departure time. A tour is confirmed when a confirmation email has been received OR payment has been processed. Prior to 48 hours from departure, any cancellation of a confirmed reservation is fully refundable, less a $10 processing fee. Inside of 48 hours to departure, reservations are non-refundable. This includes all tours booked online within 48 hours of departure.
Rescheduling
Outside of 48 hours from the tour, rescheduling can be made at any time. Inside of 48 hours to the tour, rescheduling can be requested and at the discretion of the office and upcoming availability to approve. If approved a $10/person change fee is charged to the booking.
Don’t Forget Lunch!
When making your reservation, you’ll have the option to pre-order boxed lunches from our friends at Silver Lining Cafe for your tour. These options include Ham, Turkey or Veggie sandwiches. They come with chips and a beverage. All lunch orders bust be placed prior to 3:00pm the day before the tour.
Motion Sickness
The waterways we travel on are relatively calm, and our boats are quite stable and comfortable. However if you are prone to motion sickness we strongly recommend preparing for your trip with us. Over the counter remedies like Dramamine work best when used prior to departure. Learn more.
We Guarantee You’ll See Whales
The Salish Sea is home to an astonishing variety of whales, including orcas, humpbacks, gray whales, and minke whales. With thousands of departures over 37 years, our local knowledge is unmatched. As a result, our success rate is the best in the industry. If you don’t see whales on your whale watching tour, we will gladly give you a voucher for a cruise on a later date – no questions, no hassles. Guarantee is not valid for split trips, specific whale species, or cash back.
Parking
A paid parking garage is located directly across the street from the Port Angeles Wharf (see image below). Please note there is no parking at the Wharf itself. There are free parking lots available in downtown Port Angeles, but these can fill-up quickly. View map of free parking lots.
Latest News
October Bigg’s Orca Superpod, plus Lunge-feeding Humpbacks
Autumn whale watching this year (2024) has been quite memorable, with great weather and great whales! On October 13, 2024, our Seattle (Edmonds), Port Townsend AND Port Angeles tours had a special encounter in the Strait of Juan de Fuca west of Victoria, BC. A Bigg's...
Email Newsletter
Get the latest updates on the whales we’re seeing as well as tour updates and announcements. We send 1-2 emails/month. We respect your time and privacy; we will never share your email.