Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does your boat have food service, heated cabins and a restroom?

Yes, Island Mariner Cruises has food service on the Whale Search Cruises and during group charters upon arrangement. There are heated cabins, one with davenports, coffee tables and armchairs and the other with seating and tables, plus two restrooms on the main deck. We are also wheelchair accessible. Visit our Island Caper page for details.

2. Does your vessel have enough rail space for all guests at once?

Yes, the Island Caper has 350 feet of rail space and seldom carries more than 100 passengers. That leaves 3 1/2 feet per person.

3. Where are you located?

At the downtown marina in Bellingham, Washington. Stay on Interstate 5 until you are within 2 miles of our dock. Then you take a 4 lane truck route to the waterfront, no towns to go through, and very little traffic. For directions visit our Location page.

4. Are there places to stay nearby?

There are 1500 rooms and 200 restaurants, plus the largest mall north of Seattle within a 3 mile radius of our dock. Details and maps are on our Links pages.

5. How much does it cost?

For an all-day whale watch cruise, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE BEATS OUR PRICES. Adult: $109 (ages 18 & over), Youth (ages 4-17): $49, Children (ages 3 & under): FREE. There are no dock or ramp boarding fees. Coupon or Discounts may also be available, see the Price and Schedule page for details.

6. Is parking available?

Parking for autos and buses is free and is located within 150 feet of our dock. There is a loading and unloading zone within 40 feet of the boat.

7. When should we arrive? When will we return?

We would like you to check in around 9:30 am. We leave at 10am, returning around 4:30pm. Occasionally, if the whales are putting on a good show, we may be a little late returning.

8. How long have you been in the Whale Watching business?

Island Mariner Cruises started watching whales 50 years ago and started running scheduled whale watching trips 30 years ago. We have the most experience of any whale watching company in the Pacific Northwest.

9. Do you post your Orca whale sightings record from past years online?

Yes, since 2006. In addition, we are delighted to give you our latest sighting information on our Whale Sightings Blog on Facebook, or you may want to check out the Orca Network to learn and see the latest Puget Sound whale info.

10. Do you have binoculars, a quality hydrophone and route maps?

We have binoculars available on board for customer use (free!). We have the best research quality hydrophone we could buy and it is broadcast over 34 speakers. We have home route charts (not maps) available for $5. At the end of the day, your route will be marked with where you saw wildlife. This is a quality chart meant for mounting and display, if you wish.

11. Do you have a naturalist on board?

We always have one or two naturalists on board. They have many years of experience and we feel they are the finest naturalists available.

12. Does your company give back to the community and environment?

Yes, we give and donate to many causes, educational groups, school groups, museums, and church groups. We use bio-diesel fuel, and we are extremely careful to follow the guidelines and rules that are meant to keep our magnificent Orca whales as stress-free as possible.

13. Why choose Island Mariner Cruises for my Whale Watching tour?

Because we know you will love our delightful relaxed cruise through the beautiful San Juan Islands and be thrilled to experience the exciting Orcas and other mammals and wildlife. Read the testimonials page and see what previous customers have to say.

If you have questions, please contact us by email at mariner@orcawatch.com or call (360) 734-8866 or toll free 1-877-734-8866.

 
Reserve your seats now for 2013!