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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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RUBY
6 days ago
One of the best experiences I’ve ever been on! The boat, crew, captain EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT!
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.
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About Island Adventures Anacortes, Washington

Customer Reviews

4.8
based on Groupon 1,805 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.
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Reviewed on
RUBY
2 ratings|2 reviews
One of the best experiences I’ve ever been on! The boat, crew, captain EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT!

Merchant reply:

6 days ago
We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed our signature whale watch! This time of year is great for whale watching with potential orcas and humpbacks, less crowds, and fewer boats on the water. Our crew works hard to make every excursion memorable and we had some great whale and wildlife encounters on your trip! The weather may be changing but our vessel provides comfort on the water with tasty hot beverages in our Sea Store, indoor heated cabins, and outdoor covered areas. We appreciate you taking the time to leave us a review and we're happy we were able to provide your perfect day!
Aleana
2 ratings|1 review
It was a great first experience! The people are very welcoming and friendly. Definitely recommend!

Merchant reply:

11 days ago
What an unforgettable first whale watch! What we see and where we go varies every day, and today we got to spend time with fifteen whales in total. We spent time with multiple pods of Bigg's orca whales and a humpback! Our team is passionate about the Salish Sea and marine life, and we love sharing our excitement and knowledge with everyone on board. It was even more special that you chose to join us during your honeymoon, and we wish you whales and happiness in your many years to come!
Andres
1 rating|1 review
Amazing! The tour was great and we saw a lot of whales! I appreciated that they were not in a rush and stopped to let us watch whales for as long as it took. The tour ended up being about four hours. I highly recommend this tour!

Merchant reply:

11 days ago
With the speed and range of our vessel, we have a high likelihood of finding whales and spending a good amount of time with them. This was a memorable day with a humpback whale and three pods of orcas -- including a thrilling harbor seal hunt with the T49A family of Bigg's orcas! It was wild watching them coordinate and take down two harbor seals successfully. The day was so fantastic that we did spend a bit more time on the water to take in all the whales in the area. We couldn't have asked for a better way to wrap up our October tours!
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

Merchant reply:

11 days ago
We can see a wide variety of species on our whale watching tours from larger cetaceans to birds! We keep our eyes on the seas and skies, and often see bald eagles, cormorants, murres, rhinoceros auklets, pigeon guillemots, oystercatchers, and other birds. Our naturalists try to point out as much as they can during our trips, and education has always been one of our priorities. We're glad to hear you learned something new, and hope to see you again on another trip in the future!
Jacob
1 rating|2 reviews
They have snacks on the boat, but no real meals.

Merchant reply:

20 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:

20 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.

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