Orca Relief Citizens' Alliance Boating Guidelines:
Whale Weekends. We are hereby to reserve the two least-expensive contiguous days for no commercial whale watching at all. These days will also apply to private boaters.Shorter Days for People, Longer Days for Whales.Ê We also ask all commercial whale watching boats to back off from the dawn to dusk current operating schedule, and rather restrict trips to allow maximally two round-trips from Victoria or other locations per day combined with half-hour viewing periods, and additional time for travel, from 10am until 2pm. These hours will also apply to private boaters.
Give Them Room.Ê At the current self-imposed 100 yard viewing limit (which is regularly transgressed), Bain's 2002 study indicates boat noise decreases the whales' sonar efficiency by 95% and more. Water carries sound much better than air, and whales need an acoustically determined distance from motors. Boat distance to the nearest whale needs to be increased to 400 yards.
Land Based Whale Watching
Here in the San Juan Islands, we have
the unique opportunity to watch killer whales from shore. A park
(Limekiln Lighthouse Park) has also been named the â"Whale Watch
Parkâ" because of the exceptional prospect to see orcas and other
marine wildlife up very closely from shore. While it is impossible
to predict exactly when orcas will
pass the park, it is a lovely area to observe other marine or avian
wildlife, to take a picnic and savor the scenery. Throughout the
summer months, interpreters give presentations about the marine
wildlife.
Dr. Bob Otis of Ripon College, Wisconsin, spends 3
months during the spring/summer at the Whale Watch Park, conducting
research with some of his students. Dr. Otis also gives public
lectures several times a week during the afternoon hours.
You will be able to enjoy the magnificent killer whales traveling past the lighthouse, feeding or milling around, hearing their powerful exhalations, - all without impacting on the whales' environment. The photos you see on this page were all taken from shore by Matt Ragen on San Juan Island. To see more photos and descriptions about what it's like to see these whales from the shore, click here!
Come hear more about the orca whales in the San Juan Islands!
Starting May 17, Dr. Bob Otis will be giving talks about the local orca whales at the lighthouse at Limekiln State Park. The talks will be at 3:00 pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays - unless the whales are passing by. For directions to the park, see below.
Driving Directions to Whale Watch Park:
As you leave the ferry, simply follow the ferry traffic by turning right as you get off the ferry ramp and take your first left (by the tree in the middle of the road) which is Spring Street. Follow this street through and out of town. Approximately one mile out of town you will see a street sign pointing to the left; this is Douglas Road. Turn left. This road will change its name after about 2 1/2 miles into Bailer Hill Road as it turns 90° to the right, but you will continue on this road for approximately another 7 miles. This road will lead you directly to Limekiln State Park, which is also known as the 'Whale Watch Park'.
Ferry Travelers:
San Juan Transit
offers transportation around the island,
serving Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor Village, Lavender Farm, Alpaca Ranch,
San Juan Vineyard, Whale Watch Park (Limekiln Point State Park),
English Camp, San Juan County Park, Lakedale Campground /
Resort and 80% of the lodging facilities.
ORCA RELIEF CITIZENS' ALLIANCE
P.O. Box 1969 | Friday Harbor, WA | 98250 | Phone: (360) 370-5554 | Fax: (360) 378-7041
email: info@orcarelief.org
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