Top 15 Orca Watching Tours in the USA

1.Orcas Island Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 442 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $119Our pick

From Orcas Island, join a 3.5-hour cruise with a captain and naturalist such as Phil, Ginny, Drew, or Sheila. Fast boats cover wide water in search of resident orcas, humpbacks, gray and minke whales, plus seals, sea lions, otters, and eagles. Dress warmly and plan around the ferry.

“Being new to the area & unfamiliar w/the ferry system, we excitedly booked a tour w/out taking in to account the ferry schedule & travel. The employees went above and beyond in giving us an opportunity to make a tour & it all worked out! The captain (Drew) & crew (Sean, Sophia & Katie) were diligent in finding whales to make sure everyone on board had a good experience! They're all so knowledgeable & nice! We had a great time. Would highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Orca Cove Sea Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 322 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $175Top rated

Ride a fast boat from downtown Ketchikan to Orca Cove, then paddle 1.5 to 1.75 hours among rainforest islands and quiet coves. Guides such as Lucas, Matt, David, and AJ lead groups of up to six. Gear, dry bags, drinks, and smoked salmon are included.

“Amazing excursion, worth every penny for this experience, we ended up going out just 2 of us with Lucas as our guide who was very knowledgeable of the wildlife and surroundings went above and beyond taking great pics of us so we could just relax and enjoy our surroundings, on our way back at end of trip Devon even stopped and let us take some awesome video’s of a humpback he had spotted , recommend this trip , also lovely salmon dip made by Matt I polished off !”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Kenai Fjords Orca Quest Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 137 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $165

From Seward, Captain Tammy and the crew take you through Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park in search of orcas. This four-hour cruise uses recent sightings rather than a fixed route, with binoculars, onboard narration, warm drinks, and a hydrophone for listening to whale calls.

“It was a great day for being on a boat in Steward. What a lovely town. During our boat ride we did not encounter any orcas but the captain did a great job of showing us all kinds of other wild and marine life, like Humpbacks, porpoises, seals, birds. The boat ride was very relaxing. A lot of people, including myself, took a nap. Food options are good and not too expensive - for today’s prices. If you are paying by credit card they open up a tab and hold your card. Everyone moves about the boat freely to capture a sighting of wildlife with the philosophy of having designated…”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Seward: Resurrection Bay Orca Quest Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 66 reviews · 4 hours · from $165

Spend four hours cruising Resurrection Bay with Major Marine Tours during the best orca season, roughly mid-May through mid-June. Your captain follows current sightings and explains orca behavior, whales, glaciers, and local wildlife. Expect indoor seating, outdoor decks, binoculars, hot drinks, and a chance to hear orcas through a hydrophone.

“We had a marvelously sunny and clear day with plenty of humpback whale sightings. Captain Tammy was really superb, and contributed excellent information about the waters, the town of Seward, the sea life, etc. The boat was very comfortable, and the tour, though expensive was well worth it - the best day of our cruise through Alaska!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Orcas Island: Whale and Orca Guided Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 46 reviews · 3h 30m · from $119

Spend 210 minutes aboard a fast whale-watching boat from Orcas Island, with indoor and outdoor viewing areas, a restroom, and an English-speaking naturalist guide. Search for orcas, humpbacks, minke, and gray whales, plus seals, sea lions, porpoises, otters, and bald eagles.

“Trevor and Sam took us out that day and they took us to where they knew that there were whales and we saw at least 5 or 6! We went quite far, and the trip ended up being 4 1/2 hours, but it was sure worth it!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Anacortes: Orca Whales Guaranteed Boat Tour near Seattle

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 33 reviews · 4 hours · from $199

From Anacortes, ride a high-speed vessel through the San Juan Islands with an English-speaking marine naturalist searching for Bigg’s orcas. The four-hour trip runs year-round, with a reported 98 percent whale-sighting success rate. Bring warm clothing and expect open-water conditions.

“The trip was heavily overpriced for the tour. I wouldn't have paid more than $85-90 for it. Although we fully understand and support the regulation of staying a certain distance away from the whales, it now has become a binocular trip in the hope to see the whales.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Half Day Sail Orcas Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Meet your captain at Obstruction Pass for a private three-hour sailing lesson around Orcas Island. Nate guides your group through sailing terms and hands-on practice. Choose a 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. departure, with room for up to six people at one group price.

“Sailing with Nate was a great experience, he was very accommodating with me and my friends and each of our skills and comfort level. Would really recommend him for sailing with any age group or skill set.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Orca whale tour from Orcas Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $199

Join Outer Island Excursions from Orcas Island’s north shore for a 3 to 5 hour search for Biggs killer whales in the Salish Sea. A marine naturalist joins you on the high-speed vessel, with an onboard restroom and room for up to 49 people. The tour returns to its starting point.

“Hunter guided us like the pro he is on the water. We were blessed and saw multiple orcas up close!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.The Orcas Project Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.) · from $28Best value

At Doe Bay Wine Company in Eastsound, Cole or another host leads you through four Orcas Project wines, explaining the vineyards, winemakers, and Orcas Island artists behind each label. Add the cheese board, ask questions, and allow about 30 minutes for this small-group tasting.

“Everyone was incredible and kind! Wine was excellent and the whole town is so welcoming. This is a must see to get the feeling of the entire community.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Ketchikan: Orca Cove Fast Boat and Sea Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $198

Ride 20 minutes by fast boat from Ketchikan to Orca Cove, then spend 1.5 to 1.75 hours paddling among rainforest islands and quiet coves. Your English-speaking guide leads a group of no more than six, with gear, hot drinks, smoked salmon, hummus, vegan snacks, and Alaskan beer provided.

“Everything was excellent. They were also flexible, as my cruise ship was leaving before the tour ended. They kindly finished our tour early and took us to our ship. The service was truly wonderful.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Orcas Island Bioluminescence Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $109

Launch from Rosario Resort with a certified guide and paddle along Orcas Island after dark. Around the mansion, each stroke can stir glowing plankton in the water. Departures follow the new moon, so expect late starts, shifting times, and a two-hour outing for up to 12 people.

“This was such a cool experience and Tyler was a great guide! We saw so many amazing things and it really was an unforgettable experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Eastsound: Orcas Island Bioluminescent Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4 reviews · 2 hours · from $109

Meet your English-speaking guide at Rosario Marina Dock for a two-hour night paddle timed near the new moon. Local guides such as Toby, Tyler, Dom, and Jinny share facts about marine life and the stars while plankton glows around your kayak. Kayak, paddle, vest, and headlamp are included.

“Toby and Tyler were amazing tour guides! highly recommend the activity!”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Orcas Island: Orca Whales guaranteed boat tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 3 reviews · 4 hours · from $199

Search for Biggs orcas aboard a fast boat from Orcas Island, with an English-speaking naturalist guide and up to five hours on the water. The crew aims for at least 45 minutes with whales, and a free return trip is offered if none appear. Guests must be 12 or older.

“The driver was great and had some great information on the whales.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Cafes and Kayaks: Full Day Kayaking Adventure on Orcas Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $149

Spend about six hours kayaking from Rosario Marina along Orcas Island’s Cascade Bay coast, with wildlife viewing, a stop in Olga for cafe food and local art, and a guided paddle back. Kayak gear is included, but lunch and bottled water cost extra.

“Big thanks to Jake for a beautiful kayak excursion to Sucia Island. We circumnavigated the entire island, had a lovely lunch+hiking break. Beautiful scenery and soaring bald eagles everywhere!”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Orca Whale Inflatable Rides

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 10 minutes (approx.) · from $33

At Driftwood Landing, Barefoot Parasailing & Excursions pulls you across the water on South Padre Island’s only side-by-side inflatable orca ride. The 10-minute outing is open to all ages, limited to six people, and lets you ask the crew for a speed that feels right.

“Staff was friendly. Had a lot of fun while being pulled would definetly recommend. Should be a little longer time wise but other then that definitely recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review