When it comes to whale watching near the Seattle area, there’s no shortage of options. You can even hop on a whale watching tour departing directly from downtown Seattle. But if you’re searching for the very best experience in the country, one Washington company just earned the top honor.
USA Today recently released its list of the 10 best whale-watching tours in the United States, and the #1 spot went to Maya’s Legacy Whale Watching in Friday Harbor. The rankings were determined after an expert panel selected standout tours from around the nation, with readers ultimately voting for their favorites.
According to USA Today, this San Juan Islands tour stood out because:
“Washington’s Salish Sea has earned abundant acclaim for its high concentration of orcas, and Maya’s Legacy Whale Watching specializes in showcasing these fascinating creatures in the flesh. The company has operated in the region for around 20 years, providing small-group tours that focus on local cetacean life alongside seals, eagles, and seabirds.”
Maya’s Legacy offers several ways to experience the waters of the Salish Sea, including half-day tours, full-day excursions, and private charters. Their tours are intentionally kept small, giving guests a more personal experience while onboard marine naturalist educators provide insight into the region’s wildlife and ecosystem.
Located in the San Juan Islands, the company highlights its unique setting as one of the premier whale-watching destinations anywhere in the world. In fact, according to the company’s website, it’s in “the best location in North America for proximity to marine wildlife and whales in the wild.”
For anyone hoping to see orcas and other marine wildlife up close, it’s hard to ignore a tour that readers across the country voted the best in America.
