Maya's Legacy Whale Watching

Maya's Legacy Whale Watching

Maya's Legacy Whale Watching
5
Boat ToursEco ToursPrivate ToursDolphin & Whale WatchingNature & Wildlife Tours
About
Maya’s Legacy Whale Watching provides small group whale watching & wildlife tours from Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington, the best location to experience Orca whales in the wild. We also offer private charter whale watch & wildlife tours for small groups and larger parties. Recreational, engaging and informative, we offer memorable experiences with a passionate crew , custom-built whale watching boats, and small groups of passengers. We offer two convenient departure locations on San Juan Island. Our whale watching & wildlife tours depart year-round from downtown Friday Harbor, next to the ferry landing on San Juan Island.
Friday Harbor, United States
Meets animal welfare guidelines

Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023

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(120 reviews)
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles1,751 reviews
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33
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Kelsey v
Chattanooga, TN1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Solo
It was my birthday and I went on a solo trip. This was my very first whale watching trip in Washington. I had been saving up because I specifically wanted to go with Maya's Legacy and I'm so glad I did. This turned into a very special, once in a lifetime kind of experience for me. The marine naturalists onboard were very informative and knowledgeable about life around the Salish Sea. April told me the history of some of the islands, and we saw birds, bald eagles, exotic goats, and sea lions. But best of all, we saw orcas! The captain decided to head north to Vancouver to catch a glimpse of the Northern Residents, and this was risky because orcas are very fast and we were a ways away.

While on our way, everyone was so friendly to me, they shared their pictures and fruit with me. The captain asked me questions about myself and told me some of his exciting orca stories. I have to add, this was February during the start of whale watching season and it was so cold outside! But thankfully, the boat is completely enclosed with windows that can swing open when the boat stands still and they also had blankets available.

We were all so excited to see these whales and when we got there, it was a dream come true! There were 16 killer whales in total I believe and everyone on the boat was feeling the magic! It was emotional and oh so special. We hung out with the orcas for about 2 hours and then headed back. Captain Jeff follows all the whale wise guidelines and laws and his passion and love for the orcas shows. The Southern Residents Killer whales, whom we didn't see on this trip, are an endangered species with only about 74 individuals left. You cannot be within 1000 ft of them and have the boat motor on. Sadly, they face many threats which also include boaters. I wanted to go whale watching with Maya's Legacy because I know for a fact that they care about the whales, are responsible, and advocate for the wellbeing of these animals.

It was truly one of the best birthdays of my life. I am so grateful, special thanks to captain Jeff, April, and Sara.

-Kelsey
Written 6 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jason C
Salt Lake City, UT11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
Awesome experience on the after. Great guides and boat in a beautiful location. The smaller size of the guest group was also greatly appreciated.
Written 28 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ben W
London, UK59 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
This is a terrific experience from start to finish - I had a spare day on business and it was well spent - wonderful guides, great boat, that day we had to motor a long way to find the orcas and that effort was greatly appreciated by everyone - thanks also for sharing the lovey photos you took which I’ve shown to lots of friends and we’re 100 times better than mine - I only wish my wife could have been with me - thanks guys, a great day
Written 17 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kirstyn
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
We booked a mid October trip with Maya's Legacy and were so so impressed from start to finish. Check-in, boarding, and then 4+ hours on the water. We saw beautiful landscapes and wildlife, but the highlight was the two families of orcas we spent almost 2 hours watching.
The staff, Jeff and April were able to identify all the whales we saw, and educate us on some behaviors and interactions we were seeing.
The boat was comfortable and we felt safe the whole time.
I would do this experience over & over again.
There are many options for whale watching tours, but you can't go wrong booking with Maya's.
Written 15 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Max M
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
Just finished the trip. Was a fantastic experience and would recommend to anyone. Our guides, Jeff and April, were very knowledgeable and great to be with.
Written 5 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Morgan D
West Lafayette, IN1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
We went last week on our second tour with Maya’s Legacy and it did not disappoint. First and foremost they have such a respect for the animals and concern for their safety and well-being. April and Jeff were very knowledgeable and as we were watching a mom orca, and her four children, out hunting, they were just as much in awe and geeking out as the passengers were. The boat was comfortable, allowed them to go fast to get to whales (I mean we were down by the Olympics!), but also allows passengers to get up and move around when stopped so that everyone can get a good view. This is a small informal group tour (14-16), not a large narrated tour. We plan on trying to get up to SJI every year and I will always go with Maya’s. Oh, April even took time to send pictures from her fancy camera to everyone at the end of the tour (shared below as well as a picture of the space in the boat). They were just great all around!
Written 4 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sparkerfisher
Chapel Hill, NC4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Family
WOW! What a wonderful day with two great guides- Jeff and April- who Best of all- they both had professional cameras and took great pictures which they shared with all of us on the trip- so we could experience the time with orcas (and other sea mammals) first hand- not through our phone cameras! This is a trip for serious nature lovers/observers- bring your own food and drink- the guides are there for their deep knowledge and skillful management of the boat It is a relatively small group (13) so easy to move around the boat, ask lots of questions, have the experience you want! We spent over two hours with an orca family- observing behaviors and a hunt. Totally amazing! It was the best we have every experienced- and we have been on many whale watching trips.
Written 3 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kathy D
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
We had a great time and saw lots of whales. The whales even tried to show us their dinner up close and personal!
Written 2 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John N
Chicago, IL3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Friends
Had an amazing experience with Maya's Legacy Whale Watching. I had been on whale watching excursions in Friday Harbor 3 prior times over the last 4 years with different companies and had yet to see any Orcas, so I was hopeful but realistic about the chances. Jeff and April admitted that there had not been any Orca sightings earlier in the day; however, they cautioned that very often it was those types of days which ultimately led to sightings. After about 45 min, the boat radio started going off with unconfirmed reports of Orca sightings on the west side of San Juan island. Jeff and April gave the passengers a choice, to go North where there was a good chance to see humpback whales; or wait to see how the unconfirmed Orca sighting developed. The passengers voted for the Orcas, and after about another 30 minutes, we were zooming South with confirmed reports of Orcas. Fortunately, Jeff and April and their network of whale enthusiasts around the islands pointed us in the right direction and we spent nearly an hour with f the Biggs T60 and her children as they hunted near the shore. Many spy hops were seen and the orcas eventually swam towards our boat, and even under our boat, and truly put on a show. This was an incredible experience 4 years in the making and I'm grateful to Jeff and April for their knowledge, pragmatism, enthusiasm, and diligence in making it happen. 10/10 would do it again with this crew.
Written 1 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dirk
Uetersen, Germany1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Solo
I chose Maya’s Legacy because I not only became aware of it here, but could also read in many comments how beautiful these tours are.

I was not disappointed. It was a breathtaking tour for me, like everyone else. We were allowed to participate in how an Orca Mama went hunting with her young to Sea Lions. It was incredible how well everyone is connected to get the best out of the tour. We even exceeded an hour to stay with the orcas.

I can clearly recommend this tour here! The communication with us guests was very fast and competent. I would be happy to do this tour again.

Dear Captain (name has fallen for me ;-) ) and dear April, thank you for the tour. Greetings from the German on this tour
Written 28 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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MAYA'S LEGACY WHALE WATCHING (Friday Harbor) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go