ADDRESS
62 First Street N. Friday Harbor,
San Juan Island, WA
HOURS
June – September
9:00am – 6:00pm, daily
October - May
10:00am – 4:00pm, daily
CONTACT
(360) 378-4710
The Whale Museum
AMENITIES
Restrooms
The Whale Museum is located on San Juan Island in the quaint town of Friday Harbor. Located in the historic Odd Fellows Hall, the museum houses exhibits, artwork, models, and artifacts, and is a premiere destination for visitors and locals alike to learn about whales. Visitors love to listen to whale calls in the Whale Phone Booth!
The Museum’s mission also includes research, focused primarily on southern resident orca, and is the lead organization for the San Juan County Stranding Network.
The Whale Museum offers programs for school groups and the general public. Twice a year, the Museum offers a training session for naturalists, focused on the southern resident orcas and the Salish Sea. The Whale Museum also pioneered a popular Adopt a Whale program.
If you go, be sure to stop by the gift shop, which features a wide range of orca-themed cards, books, toys, and jewelry. Something for every orca enthusiast!
WHERE THE WHALES ARE
Although orcas are not commonly viewed from the museum itself, there are many fantastic land-based whale watching locations on San Juan Island. From May to September, the southern resident orcas can often be seen along the west side from Lime Kiln State Park or San Juan County Park. A little further south, San Juan National Historic Park is also a great place to see whales from. Harbor seals and river otters are often seen in Friday Harbor marina.