Alki Beach Park

The best time to see orcas from Alki is during the fall and winter, when the southern resident pods return to this area. Throughout the year, you may also see transient orcas near here. Their travel patterns are much less predictable.

To look for whales from the Whale Trail sign (or anywhere along Alki Beach), look north towards Discovery Point, and northwest, towards Bainbridge Island. The southern residents generally travel in the middle of the channel, to the northwest. Sometimes, of course, they make exceptions. 

• In December 2010, members of J-pod rounded Alki Point from the south, and then continued east along Alki Beach and right into Elliott Bay.

You might also see gray whales near Alki, most commonly  in the spring. Gray whales often come very close to shore. They feed on shrimp-like food in the nearshore sediment, and use their baleen to strain the food from the soil.

Humpback and minke whales have been observed at Alki, but very rarely.

You are very likely to see harbor seals, California seal lions and other pinnipeds cruising along the Alki shore. Harbor seals often leave their pups on the wide sandy beach while they are out hunting.

• Seal Sitters is an Alki-based group that helps safeguard the pups while they are on the beach. 
• Remember, if you see a seal pup on the beach - leave it alone!

A few blocks southeast of the Whale Trail site, the Alki Playground features a Whale Tail sculpture in the children's play area. Also called Whale Tail park, the 3.9-acre park adjoins Schmitz Park, Alki Elementary and the Alki Community Center.  Look for whale-themed art in the sidewalk around the park's east border, near the entrance to Schmitz Park.

Alki Beach is a hub for community activities, ranging from art exhibits and "car-free Sunday" to walks, runs, and the SeaFair Pirates' landing.

• The Alki Community Council sponsors regular beach clean-ups.