On July 23rd, I had celebrated my 16th birthday. Usually, I’d opt for the typical celebration and shopping spree, followed soon after with a sweetened birthday party filled with delectable and family reunions – but a 16th birthday is quite the honorary occasion (though, you can argue all birthdays should be honored).
So, my first option was to go on a cruise, something both unconventional and exciting for the occasion; a once-in-a-lifetime birthday, spent by the glistening waters of the place I call home. The prospect of experiencing and seeing the very animal I had studied throughout school was surreal, yet I was thrilled when I got the unexpected tickets the day of my birthday.
When me and my mom got on the boat, it rocked us back and forth slightly, giving me a slight fright, but eventually you get used to it through your journey.
For a warm, sunny, middle-of-summer day, however, the wind and the degrees significantly dropped once we headed off further from the terminal. It wasn’t a big surprise, but if you don’t want to be left shivering during your experience, I’d advise to wear longer pants – and maybe bring a heavier jacket.
We were given a brief tour of the vessel, introductions to the crew, and we were allowed to take our seats. There are no reservations, so it was a free-for-all to try and get the to the second floor of the boat outside, but we were able to successfully acquire a beautiful spot facing the water.
For the most part on the trip, you converse with the people around you, keep to yourself by watching the water beneath your feet glide by, or even venture off on the outer part of the boat to enjoy different angles of the San Juans – though there will be some times throughout the trip where you’re guided to listen to a presentation hosted by one of the crew members, discussing the history of Bellingham Bay and the San Juan islands.
In my opinion, it is very pleasant and goes by fast for 6 hours, given you’re constantly moving and only stop on the occasion for small breaks in-between your nonstop venturing, or to have some food while out in the water.
Speaking of the lunch, it is a standard for each Whale Watching trip that they’ll have the same menu, which consists of a rich lasagna (either meat or vegetarian, we chose the latter), Caesar salad, fresh bread and grapes, and a complimentary cookie on the side. Later on, you can either get some snacks on the side, or they might still have leftovers after everyone gets a plate.
When being in the cold for so long, the lunch was a nice
treat and enough to fill me up for the rest of the trip. While I’d argue it’s nothing too extraordinary, the cookie was the best part, the nice chocolate chips and slightly hardened outer area sweet and satisfactory.
The highlight of my trip, however, was being able to see the orcas. I appreciated the staff giving them space while on the vessel and turning off their engine to not disturb them, but it’s not ideal for photos.
In my opinion, it’s much better to live in the moment than to focus the whole trip upon getting the best picture. That’s what I did for the most part, though I made a few exceptions for scenic views or animals that were aesthetically pleasing.
Overall, I’d highly recommend booking a lunch trip, or any other trip, with San Juan Cruises. For a price of an adult it can be steep, the price of one around $129 dollars and for children $64.50, but there can be some discounts on bookings occasionally – you just have to look for them.
At the end of this review, if you are interested in supporting the San Juan Cruises, you can find their next bookings starting in May 2026 here.
