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Save Up to 25% Off on 3-3.5 Hour Guaranteed Whale Watch Tour with Island Adventures, Seattle

Island Adventures Anacortes, Washington
4.8

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Adalinda
2 days ago
We loved the tour. Very informative and exciting. I enjoyed learning about the Whales and birds. Seeing the birds was ilinexpected and fun
Experience unmatched whale watching with expert guides on state-of-the-art vessels ensuring prime wildlife viewing adventures.

Highlights

  • 3–3.5 hour tour through prime PNW waters for peak whale viewing

  • Elevated vision from upper decks & wheelhouses provides unmatched viewing

  • Over 97% success rate for orca sightings—best in the Pacific Northwest

  • Experienced crew includes marine naturalists and family ownership pride

  • Onboard cafe with snacks, hot drinks, and photo-friendly viewing spaces

  • Children & Family Friendly: Small, foldable strollers are allowed!

  • Perfect for gifting! A priceless experience that everyone is sure to remember for many years to come.


What To Expect

Board the Island Explorer 5, a custom 100-foot catamaran designed for comfort and optimal whale viewing. Departing from Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes, your knowledgeable crew and naturalists guide you through some of the region's richest whale territories.

Island Explorer 5 catamaran

Equipped with upper decks, real restrooms, captain-built navigation, and cafe-style refreshments for purchase, the tour balances excitement with comfort. As you cruise the Salish Sea, look out for orcas, humpbacks, minkes, and gray whales—supported by Island Adventures’ membership in the Pacific Whale Watch Association and access to real-time sightings. With their impressive 97% success rate, you’re almost guaranteed to spot these magnificent creatures.


Plan Your Visit

  • Duration Approximately 3 to 3.5 hours for the signature whale watch tour
  • Parking Free parking available at or near the marina. Use gravel lot by the stop sign. Avoid "Reserved" or "2-Hour" zones to prevent towing
  • Meeting Point Tours depart from Cap Sante Marina, A-Dock, Anacortes. Check in 30 minutes before departure

How It Works

1. Grab the Deal

Buy your Groupon first!

2. Plan your Visit

Follow the link on your Groupon to select the date.

3. Redeem your Mobile Ticket

Enter your Groupon code at checkout.

4. Enjoy the Experience!


FAQs

Will I see whales?

Island Adventures boasts a whale-sighting success rate of over 97%, making sightings extremely likely—even though whale behavior can’t be guaranteed.

When is the best time of year to go?

Spring: Gray whales. Summer & Fall: Humpbacks, orcas, minkes. Winter: Occasional diverse sightings.

How are whales located?

Through real-time intel from the Pacific Whale Watch Association, hydrophones, ferries, fishermen, shore spotters, and radio-linked networks—ensuring swift, accurate guidance to whale zones.

Is the tour comfortable for all guests?

Yes! Island Explorer 5’s spacious design, stability, and heated cabins reduce seasickness. Still, layers are highly recommended—the marine air feels cooler.

Can I bring food?

Guests may bring their own food but outside alcohol is not allowed! Keep in mind that alcohol and snacks are available onboard.

Can I bring pets?

Only registered service animals are permitted.

What should I wear?

Wear layers – it can feel 10–20 °F cooler on the water. Sweatshirt or jacket, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a camera (monopods recommended over tripods) are also recommended.

Need To Know Info

Promotional value expires Nov 29, 2025. Amount paid never expires.
  • Voucher is valid for the Anacortes whale watching tour and is non-transferrable.
  • An online reservation through Island Adventures is required.
  • Not valid with other offers or promotions.
  • There is a limit of 8 vouchers per person.
  • All goods or services must be used by the same person.
  • The voucher is valid until November 29, 2025.
  • A $1 marine facilities fee, a $3 ticketing fee, and taxes ($8.71) will be collected per person at redemption.
  • Tours are subject to weather conditions and may be canceled due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances.
  • If you make a reservation through Groupon, you may cancel or change it up to 24 hours before the start time.
  • After this point, you are not entitled to a cash refund or to reschedule your reservation.
  • 3 day hassle-free refund guarantee - Free cancellation for up to 3 days after purchase for unredeemed vouchers.
Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services. Learn about Strike-Through Pricing and Savings

About Island Adventures Anacortes, Washington

Customer Reviews

4.8
based on Groupon 1,801 reviews
100% Verified Reviews
All Groupon reviews are from people who have redeemed deals with this merchant. Review requests are sent by email to customers who purchased the deal.
  • crew
  • boat
  • staff
  • tour
  • experience
Reviewed on
Adalinda
2 ratings|2 reviews
We loved the tour. Very informative and exciting. I enjoyed learning about the Whales and birds. Seeing the birds was ilinexpected and fun
Jacob
1 rating|2 reviews
They have snacks on the boat, but no real meals.

Merchant reply:

6 days ago
We appreciate you coming out on our signature whale watching tour! With 3-3.5 hours on the water, we have the potential for awesome whale and wildlife encounters. Our 98 foot 3-tier catamaran offers the most comfortable whale watching experience in the area with our many amenities onboard. This includes the Sea Store with a variety of hot and cold snacks, beverages, and even beer and wine! Our guests are welcome to bring their own food and snacks if they would prefer, and our main cabin has tables for ease of eating during the adventure. If you're looking for a bite before or after one of our trips, our office team and boat crew are always happy to share our favorite local fares!
Tony
1 rating|1 review
Staff was very friendly and informative. Was such a cool experience.

Merchant reply:

6 days ago
Thank you for your kind words about our crew. Our experienced captains, naturalists, and deckhands add to our premier whale watching experience. You won't find a team with more passion for whales in the Salish Sea! Our area is renowned for beautiful scenery and marine life, and our trips are a great way to get a glimpse into the ecosystem. Education is always a priority, and with our boat-wide audio-visual system, the Island Explorer 5 turns into a floating classroom! We hope you learned something new and we're so happy to hear you enjoyed our whale watching experience.
Emilie
Top reviewer
5 ratings|6 reviews
Bring warm layers!

Merchant reply:

6 days ago
Great tip Emilie! Although we have two large indoor heated cabins, our favorite place to watch wildlife is outside. During the early spring and fall, we always recommend extra jackets and layers, and a hot cup of cocoa from our Sea Store! Nothing says fall in the Pacific Northwest like sipping a tasty beverage, admiring the foliage, and watching whales. October is a fantastic time for whale watching with our potential to see up to three species: orcas, humpbacks, and minke whales! We hope you enjoyed our adventure and appreciate your review.
david
2 ratings|1 review
Great experience. Friendly and knowledgable crew. My first time and lots of whales on a half day tour. Bring a jacket as it gets chilly out there.

Merchant reply:

36 days ago
Great tip to bring a jacket! We always recommend bringing extra layers as it can be cooler on the water than on land. Even with our lovely indoor heated cabins, the best place to watch whales in outside! As we head into the cooler months, we're glad our vessel has relief from the elements (not to mention hot cocoa in our Sea Store). We're honored that you chose to join us for your first time and we hope it won't be your last! The exciting part about whale watching in the wild is that every day is a true search, and what we see varies on every excursion. Our hardworking crew appreciates your review!
Pam
1 rating|1 review
As landlocked Hoosiers, we had no real idea what to expect. This was an exceptional experience! The captain & the crew were polite, informative and went to extremes to make this an experience to remember. And, yes, we were able to see a pod of orcas, along with various other wildlife along the way. Would highly recommend this company and we'll certainly do again if we're ever back in this area.

Merchant reply:

36 days ago
Wow! Thank you for traveling such a long way to join us on our whale watch! It's extra special when we get to introduce the whales in our waters to first-time guests. This is one of the best places in the world to see orcas in the wild, and we're glad you got to see a pod of Bigg's killer whales with us! This population is booming and we always look forward to seeing which pods will be in the area from day to day. The Salish Sea is abundant with marine life and we hope you enjoyed seeing the pinnipeds, birds, and cetaceans that call this region home. We look forward to seeing you again if your travels bring you out west!

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