No. 301 Save Big on 2015 Whale Watching Tours

2014 was an incredible season.  From christening the Island Explorer 4 to seeing whales every day since May 2014, this year will go into the record books.  Check out the whale report to re-live all of the 2014 tours!   View the Whale Report 

ALL GIFT CERTIFICATES AND TOURS FOR 2015

THE BIGGEST SAVINGS OF THE YEAR ARE HERE!

Save 50% off the regular ticket price now through December 24th, 2014 . You can take advantage of the huge savings one of two ways: Call or stop in to purchase a gift certificate to put under the tree. This would also make a great gift for yourself if you are unsure of when you would like to join us for a trip.     OR If you already know when you'd like to go whale watching, book your 2015 tour online with the promo codes below and instantly receive the incredible savings. With this great deal, you have the choice to depart out of any of our three departure locations: Everett 3 hour guaranteed whale watching tour - March 7 through May 8 Adults -- ONLY $34.50 + taxes (regular price $69) Children -- ONLY $24.50 + taxes (regular price $49) Book for a specific date online with code HOLIDAY1 Anacortes (April - October) or Port Angeles (May - October) guaranteed whale watching tour  Adults -- ONLY $54.50 + taxes (regular price $109) Children -- ONLY $24.50 + taxes (regular price $49) Book for a specific date online with code HOLIDAY2 Hurry! This deal expires on December 24, 2014 at 3PM - call 1-800-465-4604or book your 2015 tour online to take advantage of 50% savings! Whale Watching Reviews and Highlights

Island Explorer 4 Arrives in Everett, WA

New to Island Adventures in 2014, the Island Explorer 4 is the little sister to the Island Explorer 3. She is 85 ft long and 24 ft wide, with a full walk around lower deck, spacious upper viewing deck, galley with hot food and beverage for purchase, his and her restrooms, over 300 sq. ft. of outdoor rail viewing space, and has comfortable booth style seating in her indoor heated cabin.



Island Adventure Tour from Anacortes, WA

Based out of Anacortes, Washington, only 90 minutes north of Seattle and 90 minutes south of Vancouver, BC. Anacortes is located on the mainland and is known as the “Home Port” to the San Juan Islands, providing the perfect departure point for our Orca Whale Watching & Wildlife Cruises.
Island Adventures operates a 101 ft. long, 24 ft. wide, 2 story, 99 ton whale watching vessel called "Island Explorer 3." The vessel has a range of 750 miles but daily wildlife excursions are limited to 5hr & generally are 60-90 miles in duration. 






Humpback Tour from Port Angeles, WA 

Introduced in 2014 Island Adventures adds a new destination for marine life viewing in the Puget Sound. Island Explorer 4 departs   Port Angeles, WA in late summer for humpback whale sightings 

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No. 62 Island Adventure Cruises, Anacortes Washington

Distance from Seattle 90 miles

aprox 1hr 30min

Recent Whale Sightings

Island Adventures Whale Watching is based out of Anacortes, Washington, only 90 minutes north of Seattle and 90 minutes south of Vancouver, BC. Anacortes is located on the mainland and is known as the “Home Port” to the San Juan Islands, providing the perfect departure point for our Orca Whale Watching & Wildlife Cruises.
Island Adventures operates a 101 ft. long, 24 ft. wide, 2 story, 99 ton whale watching vessel called "Island Explorer 3." The vessel has a range of 750 miles but daily wildlife excursions are limited to 5hr & generally are 60-90 miles in duration.

image from Island Adventure Cruises

The staff and crew of Island Adventures are all about finding the San Juan wildlife. They boast a very high spotting percentage. All sighting are of "WILD" marine and bird life. No 2 days out on the water are the same. As much as the weather changes in the north west so do the areas of where the animals can be found. None of the whales are geotagged so its up to the passengers and crew to find the animals. Throughout your trip crew will comment on the wildlife of the region, as well as local landmarks and some of the history associated with them. Naturalists aboard the vessel will circulated through the groups, answering questions and give  presentations on the Humpback, Orca, and Minke whales.
When you arrive on scene the boat size allows for plenty of room to view the wildlife along both sides of the boat either along the lower or upper rails . Its 3 diesel engines provide fast cruising speeds to cover a large distance even into canadian waters. Creature comforts include 2 restrooms, it's great to have a toilet on board, heated cabin with padded benches and booths, or outside on one of the decks. Galley serving cold & hot drinks, snacks & hot food, and some clothing items you may have forgotten such as hats and gloves.


All images are copyright of Puget Exposure, BngPhotos. Do not steal my images, use the on blogs or other media with out permission

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Special Thanks goes out to the staff of Island Adventures for selecting my shot to win a free trip.
And to Think Tank Photo for supplying their Speed Freak V2.0. 





If you use this link to buy your first or next @thinkTANKphoto bag you can receive a free gift on orders over $50.

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No.289 Super Pod with Island Adventures

Island Adventures
http://www.island-adventures.com/
1801 Commercial Ave
Anacortes, Wa
1-800-465-4604

Back out on the waters of Puget Sound with Captain Scott and crew for a sunset sailing aboard
Island Explorer 4.
Arrived early in Anacortes to check in with Island Adventures and then it was off to grab some lunch and scenic views atop of Cape Sante Point before heading down to the marina to board the 3:30pm sailing.

looking west from Cape Sante Point overlooking the marina 

Trip started off with motoring out into Rosario Straight past Washington Park, Burrows Island and Allan Island before crossing over to the south end of Lopez Island where we came across an out of season Steller Sea Lion and harbor seals on "Swirl Rocks."

Steller Sea Lion out on the rocks

After about an hour we arrived at the south end of San Juan Island and saw a group of Orcas near the shores of South Beach. It was soon pretty evident that we found ourselves in the middle of a      Southern Resident Killer Whales Super Pod with members of J, K, and L Pods surrounding the boat on every side. Spent about an hour on scene with this super pod before heading home during sunset

setting sun behind Lopez Island, WA

Arriving back in port just as the sun is setting on a great day 

Things to do in washington state, orca, killer whales, whale watching, boat trips, puget sound boating, puget sound whales, island adventures, san juan island, lopez island, whale watching trips, pugetexposure, pugetexposure.com, seattle, things to do while in seattle

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No. 257 Inaugural Sailing of Island Explorer 4

Website: http://www.island-adventures.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/islandadventureswhalewatching

Saturday March 29th Island Adventures newest vessel the Island Explorer 4  joined her bigger sister ship the Island Explorer 3 for her first whale watching tour. In her past IE4  was used as a dive boat in the caribbean and as a sight seeing boat in New York City. Over the 2013/2014 offseason staff and crew of Island Adventures as well as numerous skilled small business in and around Anacortes overhauled IE4 with new deck work, new wood work, upholstery and engines. For the next 2 weeks IE4 will be running gray whale trips from Everett and then in April head to Anacortes for the start of the Orca season. Later this summer Island Explorer 4 will be in Port Angeles, WA for humpback, Orcas, Minkes and Gray whales sightings.

Island Explorer 4 details: She is 85 ft long and 24 ft wide, with a full walk around lower deck, spacious upper viewing deck, galley with hot food and beverage for purchase, his and her restrooms, over 300 sq. ft. of outdoor rail viewing space, and has comfortable booth style seating in her indoor heated cabin.Powered by 2 next generation Cat Marine Diesel engines she is able to maintain 15+ knots all day long while being environmentally friendly, fuel efficient and meet California Marine Environmental Standards. 

Thanks to Owner Shane Aggergaard, Captain Mike & Captain Scott for inviting me down for Island Explorer 4 inaugural sailing. 

Captain Shane and that new boat smell 

Captain Scott secures his new ride 

IE4 ready for passengers 

A harbor seal checks out the new paint job on IE4 prior to departure

The "Lucky 2" make it onboard with the help of Captain Mike 

Island Explorer 3 on scene with Gray Whale #53 Little Patch

Gray Whale #53 Little Patch near Whidbey Island, WA

Captain Mike working the microphone and shutter button 

Captain Mike and Captain Scott working as team to find us some whales 

Gray Whale #383 spotted in the shallows of hat Island,WA 

Gray Whale sends us home with a deep dive fluke wave

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No. 255 Whale Tours from Everett, WA

Website: http://www.island-adventures.com/

Tours departing from

            Everett, WA                            Anacortes, WA                               Port Angeles, WA

    March 1st ~ May 18th               April 12th ~ October 25th                August 23~ November 29th 

Starting Saturday March 29th Island Adventures newest vessel the Island Explorer 4 will join her bigger sister ship the Island Explorer 3 for her first whale watching season. She will start off running gray whale watching trips from Everett and then to Anacortes for the start of the Orca season. Later this summer Island Explorer 4 will be in Port Angeles, WA for humpback, Orcas, Minkes and Gray whales sightings. 

Island Explorer 4 details:

New to Island Adventures in 2014, the Island Explorer 4 is the little sister to the Island Explorer 3. She is 85 ft long and 24 ft wide, with a full walk around lower deck, spacious upper viewing deck, galley with hot food and beverage for purchase, his and her restrooms, over 300 sq. ft. of outdoor rail viewing space, and has comfortable booth style seating in her indoor heated cabin.

Powered by 2 next generation Cat Marine Diesel engines she is able to maintain 15+ knots all day long while being environmentally friendly, fuel efficient and meet California Marine Environmental Standards. 

Island Explorer 4 enters the Gardner Channel which it will call its Port for the 2 weeks

Island Adventures owner and operated Shane Aggergaard sailed Explorer 4 down from Anacortes

Crews prep Explorer 4 for docking 

Starboard dock lines at cast 

Island Explorer 4 is ready for it 3 hour tours starting Saturday 

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No. 272 Whale Watching in the North Sound

Great Ways to Save on Whale Watching Tours this summer with 

Island Adventures

801 Commercial Ave

Anacortes, WA

Website: http://www.island-adventures.com/

Phone Number: 360-293-2428

Save Big on EVERY Wednesday 

Save $30 off adult tickets and $20 off children 3-13 yrs

Early Bird Special

9am Departures are discounted $30 for adult tickets and $20 for children 3-12yrs

Can't Sail on a Wednesday or 9am Tour?

Save big on any day with the 

$10+$10+$10 Deal 

1. Book online                                                                  Save $10

2. Book 7+days in advance                                               Save $10

3. Book with AAA, Military ID, Senior 65+, Student ID Save $10

50% Off New Port Angeles Sailing 

Save 50% Off on Port Angeles Humpack Sailings Monday- Friday in September or October when you book ONLINE by July 1st, 2014 using promotion code PA14 

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No. 309 Whale Watching Recap Video

Tuesday June 16th, 2015
Anacortes, WA

The orcas had no shortage of energy today as they awoke from their nap and began to put on a show for the ages!!!

Highlights:

A large group of deer just outside Cap Sante
Multiple mature bald eagles all around
Harbor seals hauled out in multiple locations
J,K, and Lpod along the western shore of San Juan island


Naturalist log


As the IE3 left the dock this morning the wildlife started out fast and furious, with a large group of black tail deer taking advantage of the low tide this morning. They slowly strolled along the exposed rocky shoreline looking up occasional at the IE3 as it passed. Two small fawns followed their mother up in the grassy lawn of an Anacortes home where they stopped for a rest and the boat was able to get some amazing looks. Suddenly a mature bald eagle came soaring in overhead making its way over the trees toward the city of Anacortes!!!!

As the IE3 exited Guemes channel and entered into Rosario strait a slight roll began to come in from the south. With that captain Carl aimed the IE3 west into the heart of the San Juan islands and the protected waters that lay inside. A Washington state ferry passed by as the IE3 entered into Thatcher pass and was joined by a turkey vulture and 2 more bald eagles. This was a good sign and as sea birds like the rhinoceros auklet and the pigeon guillemot dove deep for their morning meals guests began to head into the galley to enjoy Eli's good cooking.

The IE3 made a nice slow up through Pole pass where it got good views at a great blue heron that was hunting in the now shallow waters off of Orcas island. The sun was high no, the waters were calm and so the IE3 pushed further west in search of glory. As it got to Battleship island another eagle was spotted perched in a  tree near a large nest!!! Dozens of harbor seals were also seen just off the port side basking in the days warm sunny rays!!!!

Captain Carl continued to drive the IE3 south where it was joined up by a large group of Kpod whales. At first the whales were spread out but as the IE3 got on scene the whales grouped tightly together and went into what seemed like a resting pattern. Multiple fins rising high out of the water together was certainly a sight to see as you could feel the true majesty of these animals. The Kpod group was south bound and so was the IE3 when a large group of whales was spotted ahead and the excitement began to build!!!!

Who were these whales and what was going to happen when these groups met? Well it turned out to be Jpod and at first the two separate groups were oblivious to each other. Suddenly something triggered a young Jpod calf to get excited. In the distance a whale spy hopped high above the water to spot the still south bound Kpod and as soon as it did the fun had begun!!!! Multiple whales breached and some even began to porpoise toward Kpod in order to catch them. As this happened a few of the elder females in the group began to slap their flukes at the surface, trying to quill the upcoming surge of baby orca energy, but it was too late!!!!

Soon whales were breaching and spy hopping left and right, and it was becoming difficult to track where the action would happen next. The whales were definitely happy to see the IE3 and the magnificent people who were on board!!!! As the whales neared Lime Kiln lighthouse though distance was extended due to regulations and agreements with the light house and park area. That made no difference as the whales continued to party and to wave goodbye as the IE3 had to depart, but that did not mean the show was over.

As the IE3 reached False bay captain Carl spotted another couple of whales, it was a few members of Lpod out fishing in a very fast flowing current line!!!! We had some brief looks at these whales as time was already short from the previous show and once again we departed scene headed east. The seas had begun to pick up but it meant nothing to the hardy group onboard the IE3, some folks were even riding out the waves on the bow and taking the occasional salt bath!!!!

It was truly an amazing day packed full of wildlife the entire trip, one that won't be soon forgotten!!!!
 

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No. 89 Visiting Orcas Island

Orcas Island is the largest island of the San Juan Island Chain in the Puget Sound waters between the United States and Canada.
With a land area of 57.3 square miles and a population of 4,453, Orcas Island is slightly larger, but less populous, than neighboring San Juan Island. Orcas is shaped like a pair of saddlebags, separated by fjord-like Eastsound, with Massacre Bay on the south side, and tiny Skull Island just off the coast. At the northern end of the island is the village of Eastsound, the largest population center on Orcas and the second largest in San Juan County.
Other, smaller towns - or hamlets - on the island include Orcas (where the inter-island/mainland ferry lands), West Sound (technically part of Eastsound), Deer Harbor, Rosario (technically part of Eastsound), Olga and Doe Bay.
Orcas Island is accessible by air via Eastsound Airport or water landings by seaplane as well as by water via the Washington State Ferry system or private watercraft. During the summer season, there is an island shuttle that runs from the ferry landing to Eastsound and other points.

Arrive early or stay late in Anacortes, here are somethings to do in Anacortes

Orcas

The Washington Ferry Terminal is on the south end of Orcas Island. There are a few hotels, gift shops and restaurants within walking distance that you can check out on arrival after the 90min ferry sailing from Anacortes or after stagging in the ferry departure lanes on your departure. Ferry wait times can range from 1 to 3 hours on busy weekend afternoons.




Deer Harbor

Deer Harbor located 25min west of Orcas on the southwest corner of Orcas Islands is main hub for water activities such as kayaking, fishing and whale watching excursions. The town wraps around a small cove and rise up on the hill. Unless you plan on booking an activity, arriving on a personal boat  or staying in a resort the limited public parking and lack of shops or waterfront access won't hold your visit for more than 20min of looking at large private yachts parked in the marina.

Eastsound

At the center of the island, at the top of a beautiful fjord, Eastsound is a walker’s village. It definitely has that small town feel with its narrow roads, one way streets and limited street parking. There are  art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores within walking distance of the shoreline. However with only 5 parking spots your best bet is to park in the Island Market's parking lot and go explore on foot.
Orcas Island is an ISLAND with locals on ISLAND TIME. Do your best to pack everything you need for your trip especially photo equipment. If you live in a metropolitan area you might need to understand that ISLAND TIME works a bit differently. Shops open late in the morning and close early. Some are closed Sunday and Monday others Tuesday Wednesday. And since getting inventory to an island 90min away on a ferry, the store items are limited.
If you have a special diet, taking meds make sure to bring extra along for your visit.
My favorite spots in Eastsound are the Emmanuel Episcopal Parish with its Labyrinth and the Off-Leash Dog Park.
Beach access on the west and north sides of Orcas Island are mostly  located on Forestry Lands or owned by private people. There is limited beach access to north limited to just under 50 yards between two houses. If you use google maps or a gps unit to find roads and green areas you might find out that they are part of private resort clubs or private do not trespass roads.
If you need to stretch out your legs and arms from the travel getting to Orcas Island, park your car in Eastsound and spend an hour walking through town, then head east to Moran State Park for its lakes, trails and 2400ft high Mount Constitution scenic overlook.

Moran State Park

Moran State Park is a 5,252-acre camping park with five freshwater lakes and over 30 miles of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, waterfalls and wildlife spotting opportunities. Atop the 2,409-foot-high Mt. Constitution, the highest point on the San Juan Islands, there stands a stone observation tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936. The tower offers panoramic views of the surrounding islands, the Cascade Mountains and a variety of Canadian and American cities.

Cascade Waterfall
Rustic Falls
San Juan Artwork Gallery

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