Top Three Facts You’ll Only Learn While Whale Watching around the San Juan Islands

1. June 29, 2017 For sure, whale watching is such a novel activity that there are only a select few places in the country where you can actually enjoy watching various species of whales in their natural habitat. Fortunately, you don’t have to travel far to take part in this unique experience of a lifetime. Whale watching around the San Juan Islands takes a top spot in things you should do while vacationing in the archipelago. 1

2. But more than just an original and thrilling experience, whale watching is truly a highly educational activity that both adults and children can appreciate. Even if you are not a staunch environmentalist or marine activist sympathizer, you will still value some of these facts about the interesting and endangered Southern Resident orca whales of the Salish Sea. Get Closer with the Whales’ Safety in Mind Though there is a certain charm in imagining yourself swimming in the water with the whales, it simply is not possible. Aside from the inherent risks of getting physically close to a whale, experts recommend that we should keep at least a hundred yards distance from these sea mammals as it can potentially disrupt their ecology and may cause enormous stress to the animals. The best way to whale watch is to get aboard a small charter boat. The captain of a legitimate whale cruise operation will know and follow the rules and regulations set out so as to not disturb the whales in their natural habitat. Don’t Try to Rush the Experience As much as it is fun to zip around at high speeds, experts recommend that boaters should reduce their speed to less than 10 knots while they are sailing within San Juan’s protected whale families, called pods. While you might think that it’s boring to reduce the speed this much, it is actually a preventive measure to keep both you and the whale safe. There are already several reports that ship strikes are primarily responsible for a number of whale deaths. If you are aboard a small chartered boat, however, speed can be downright deadly as whales are such unpredictable animals that they may just decide to swim into your boat’s path. Just imagine a great, massive fish swimming fast towards your boat. It’ll make the shark in movie Jaws pale in comparison. 2

3. Furthermore, a fast boat is a noisy boat. It will only cause whales to swim away from you because of anxiety. It’s best to choose a schooner or sail boat for the trip as it moves quietly and will not cause any undue stress to the whales. Consider the Mood of the Whales Maybe just like humans, whales may get a little nervous if a boat load of observers sticks around for too long. Experts recommend that you spend 20 to 30 minutes when in direct contact with one whale or small group before moving on. There’s no need to spend all day trying to watch a single whale as there are plenty of other things to see while you are on board a wild life cruise on the San Juan islands. There are plenty of porpoises, sea lions, and seals within the vicinity. It is also an ideal place to bird watch as there are several rare species of birds that get their sustenance from the school of fish swimming around and underneath your boat. Also, never follow a swimming whale or try to feed them. Remember, you went on this trip to see whales in their natural habitat. Just sit back, watch, admire their beauty, takes pictures (if you want), then go home with the enchanting memory of whales in the wild. About Schooners North: Want to go on an educational adventure of a lifetime? You can join us aboard our wooden schooner Spike Africa as we give you an exceptional whale watching experience that you’ll never forget. With a full crew at your disposal, we can take you to see whales and other marine creatures live in a peaceful, natural setting. Article Sources: Ten things about whale watching, WhaleTrips.org Ship Strikes of Whales Off the U.S. West Coast, ACSOnline.org 3