Best Places in the U.S. to Go Whale Watching

When to Go: May–September

Whales You’ll See: Orcas, Humpbacks, Minkes, Gray Whales

One of the best places in the world to view orcas (a.k.a. killer whales) are the San Juan Islands, clustered off the coast of Washington. Although orcas are seen in the area year-round, three main pods, called the “Southern Residents,” are more frequently glimpsed during the spring through fall months. The San Juan Islands are part of the Whale Trail, a string of whale-plentiful sites in the Pacific Northwest. You can witness humpbacks, minkes, and gray whales, along with groups of sea lions, from the deck of a whale-watching cruise.