Puget Sound Express Whale Watching in Edmonds (Review)
If you’re hoping to get out and see whales in the Salish Sea – the inland waterway between and in Washington State and British Columbia in the Pacific Northwest – Puget Sound Express offers a wonderful whale watching experience based in Edmonds, just north of Seattle.
This tour is a great option for those in the Greater Seattle area, with a fast boat that can get almost anywhere in the Salish Sea during a half day tour, but still close to Seattle compared to some other options.
I was born in and currently live in Seattle and was raised in Edmonds and I have worked as a guide in the Seattle area and currently work as a tour director in Alaska, so when I have an opportunity to take tours in our area I love to share my experience with others.
My whale watching trip was in July 2024 and I was with my 16 year old visiting Goddaughter and my 11 and 14 year old nieces. All of us had a wonderful time on this tour and the whales were really magical for the kids (my nieces have also been whale watching in Alaska which they also really enjoyed).
Getting to Edmonds
Edmonds is just north of Seattle and the marina where the Puget Sound Express whale watching tour leaves from is just a couple blocks south of the Edmonds ferry dock. If you’re driving, pay attention to traffic as this mellow 30 minute drive can turn into an hour at certain times of the day.
You can take transit (bus or Sounder train) from Seattle to Edmonds and then walk just a couple blocks to the dock.
Accessibility and Mobility
Because the boat has raised door steps (required by the Coast Guard), the boat is not ADA accessible, however there are plenty of options for boarding with a folding wheelchair. Contact them to book to talk through the accommodations you need and they will do everything they can to make it work for you.
Will I See Whales?
Yes. Puget Sound Express has a whale sighting guarantee, which means if for some reason you don’t see a whale, you will get a voucher to use for a future trip. What this really means is that you can be pretty confident about seeing whales if this guarantee exists!
Puget Sound Express is very skilled at finding whales and helping guests see them in a way that is safe for whales and a delight for humans. There are no guarantees about how many whales you’ll see, what species of whale or what type of behaviors you’ll see because whales do what they want!
On the trip I went on, we saw three orcas and one humpback whale and got to spend quite a bit of time watching them in two different locations. The exact locations of where you see whales and how much time you spend with them will vary from trip to trip.
What other wildlife might I see?
You also have a great chance of seeing Dall’s Porpoise, Harbor Seals and several species of birds including eagles as we saw on our tour. We even saw an elephant seal which was pretty cool!
Will I get seasick?
If you’re prone to seasickness or worried about it, I would recommend taking precautions (there are a variety of options you can ask your doctor about) because even the crew doesn’t know exactly where they will go on the tour (depends on where the whales are) so it’s impossible to know in advance what the water conditions will be. In the Salish Sea much of the water is very protected but in the Strait of Juan de Fuca between the Washington Coast and Vancouver Island there is some ocean swell and often some bigger waves.
On my tour we only had a few minutes of slightly rough conditions – this boat really handles most waves very smoothly! I was impressed at how smooth the ride was, even out in the strait.
What’s the best time of year for whale watching in the Salish Sea?
There are whales all year in the Salish Sea – for gray whales spring (March and April) is definitely best and Puget Sound Express operates whale watching tours from March through December. Weather doesn’t matter when looking for wildlife so go whenever you can!
Most people will find summer (July and August) the most enjoyable time to be out on the water, but the boat has plenty of comfortable indoor seating so you don’t need to stress about the weather too much.
Are there snacks? Can I bring my own food?
You can bring your own food (and I’d recommend it) however do not miss the chance to enjoy the signature blueberry coffee cake served on board the boat! Wow, it is REALLY good. Totally worth it!
Does the boat have restrooms?
Yes, there are several restrooms on the first floor of the boat. They are marine heads but they do have running water to wash your hands – like an airplane restroom but a little bigger.
What to wear and bring for whale watching in the Salish Sea
Probably the most important thing to keep in mind is that if you want to enjoy being outside on the boat, even on a hot summer day you’ll need an extra layer. It’s cooler out on the water and when the boat is going 40 knots is super windy!
I’d recommend bringing a rain jacket with a hood for wind (even if rain isn’t in the forecast) and an extra layer for warmth.
I’d suggest bringing some snacks and a back up battery for your phone or camera, as well as binoculars if you have them. Puget Sound Express also has some you can use during the tour.
Costs and Booking
I recommend booking directly through their website. 2024 prices are $145 for adults and $115 for children ages 2-10. Prices for spring gray whale watching are a bit less as the tour is a bit shorter.
