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Orcas Island’s Family-Owned & Operated Whale Watching, Cruises & Adventures Since 1988

Small-Group Whale Watching, Cruises & Adventures on Orcas Island Since 1988

✓ Whale Sighting Guarantee
✓ Complimentary Tour Photos
✓ Blankets & Binoculars Included
✓ Respectful Wildlife Viewing Since 1988
✓ Local Captains & Naturalists
✓ Restroom Onboard
✓ Family Owned & Operated

Whale & Wildlife Tours

Join us for a narrated whale watching adventure and search for orca whales, humpbacks, minke whales, and more on the waters surrounding Orcas Island. Complimentary photos, blankets, binoculars, and a restroom onboard are included. Plus, if whales aren’t seen during your tour, join us again for free with our Whale Sighting Guarantee.

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Summer Sunset Cruise

Settle in for an evening on the water with our Summer Sunset Cruise. Enjoy beautiful island scenery, smoked salmon from Barlean’s Fishery, and a relaxing cruise through the San Juan Islands. Watch for seals, porpoises, seabirds, and other wildlife while you unwind and take in the sunset.

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The Deer Harbor Charters Difference.

We pride ourselves on honest service and thoughtful details that elevate every trip. Complimentary photos, blankets, binoculars, and experienced local captains are all part of the experience. Plus, with our Whale Sighting Guarantee, you can book with confidence—if whales aren’t seen during your tour, your next trip is on us.
See Whales, on Whale Watch Tours or come again

FOR FREE!
Free Tour Photos to Remember your adventure!

TOUR PHOTO PACKAGE
Free Use Binoculars and Blankets

ON EVERY TOUR
Where Local Passion Meets Professional Service

Professional Crew

Testimonials

"Fantastic experience!!!! 10/10! We followed a pod of orcas up into Canada and it was the most beautiful experiance. The Boat Was super clean and comfortable also they give you professional photos at the end, highly recommended!"

Nicolle Merrilyne

"We had a great outing with deer harbor charters! We saw a group of 8 orcas, eagles nests, and lots of harbor seals! The boat was comfortable and we were given blankets and binoculars to enhance the experience!"

Julia Larson

"Absolutely breathtaking! Super informative with whales in the area. We were lucky to see a few different pods. Very highly recommend and I plan on coming back!"

Nicole Barthel

FROM THE BLOG

Why Spring Is One of the Best Times to Get On the Water
Why Spring Is One of the Best Times to Get On the Water

Fresh Wildlife, Fewer Crowds, and Incredible Early-Season Encounters Spring is one of the most exciting — and often overlooked —...

Our Whale Watching Story
Our Whale Watching Story

Most people arrive on Orcas Island and feel an immediate sense of belonging. The island has an inexplicable way of...

Why Spring Is One of the Best Times to Get On the Water
Why Spring Is One of the Best Times to Get On the Water

Fresh Wildlife, Fewer Crowds, and Incredible Early-Season Encounters Spring is one of the most exciting — and often overlooked —...

Our Whale Watching Story
Our Whale Watching Story

Most people arrive on Orcas Island and feel an immediate sense of belonging. The island has an inexplicable way of...

INSPIRE. CONNECT. PROTECT.

Traveling with someone who has a disability or requires special assistance?

While our boats are not ADA accessible, we strive to accommodate everyone. If you're traveling with someone who has mental or physical needs, please give us a call. Many of our staff have experience working with individuals with special needs, and we'll do our best to ensure a comfortable experience. Our team is compassionate, patient, and dedicated to making it work.

While our boats are not ADA accessible, we strive to accommodate everyone. If you're traveling with someone who has mental or physical needs, please give us a call. Many of our staff have experience working with individuals with special needs, and we'll do our best to ensure a comfortable experience. Our team is compassionate, patient, and dedicated to making it work.

Weather & Unforeseen Circumstances

  • Trips may be postponed, canceled, delayed, or modified last minute if the weather or other unforeseen circumstances causes a schedule change we will work with you as best we can to get you on our next availability.

  • Trips may be postponed, canceled, delayed, or modified last minute if the weather or other unforeseen circumstances causes a schedule change we will work with you as best we can to get you on our next availability.
Whale Sightings Policy

operate in one of the best whale-watching regions in the world, with a 95%+ success rate during peak season.

Our goal is to share encounters with truly wild whale & wildlife - experiences that make every trip unique.

If whales are not seen during your peak-season tour, we invite you to join us again for free. You'll have up to one year to return and enjoy a new experience.

Guests joining us during the winter, off-season tour, we invite you to join us again for free. You'll have up to one year to return and enjoy a new experience.

Wild by Nature. Guaranteed By Us.

operate in one of the best whale-watching regions in the world, with a 95%+ success rate during peak season.

Our goal is to share encounters with truly wild whale & wildlife - experiences that make every trip unique.

If whales are not seen during your peak-season tour, we invite you to join us again for free. You'll have up to one year to return and enjoy a new experience.

Guests joining us during the winter, off-season tour, we invite you to join us again for free. You'll have up to one year to return and enjoy a new experience.

Wild by Nature. Guaranteed By Us.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We respectfully acknowledge that Orcas Island and the surrounding waters of the Salish Sea are the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Lummi, Samish, and other Indigenous Nations. These peoples have lived in this region for thousands of years, cultivating a deep connection to the land, sea, and the natural world. Their cultures, traditions, and knowledge continue to enrich this place today. We recognize the enduring relationship that the Indigenous peoples have with these lands and waters, and we honor their past, present, and future. As we live, work, and recreate in this beautiful area, we strive to show respect, gratitude, and responsibility for the environment and the communities that have stewarded it long before us.

LOOKING FOR A PRIVATE CHARTER?

Planning a group adventure to Orcas Island? Looking for something unforgettable? Give us a call—we’ve got the boats, you bring the fun!

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