Skip to Main Content

JavaScript must be enabled

Page will not work without JavaScript enabled

Washington

Whales & Trails: A San Juan Island Adventure With Your Grandchild

Program No. 19929RJ

On this “whale” of an adventure, explore the waterways and trails of the San Juan Islands afoot and afloat in search of orca whales, and learn all about these intelligent animals!

Wishlist

Grandparent National Parks Animals & Wildlife Nature & Environment Ages 9 – 13

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

6 days

5 nights

14 meals

5B 4L 5D

3:00pm Check-in, 5:00pm Orientation, 6:00pm Welcome Dinner

Seattle

Hibulb Cultural Center, Ferry to San Juan Island

Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

Orca Population, Whale Museum, Coastal Hike at American Camp

Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

Wildlife Search Boat Ride, English Camp Hike

Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

Wildlife Rehab, Limekiln Lighthouse, Orca Adoption Kits

Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

Ferry to Anacortes, Transfer to Seattle, Program Concludes

Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

View Full Itinerary

At a Glance

Does your grandchild love whales? On this “whale” of an adventure on Washington’s San Juan Islands, search for orca whales in their natural habitat and visit an orca research station in a historic lighthouse. Meet whale experts to find out how orcas communicate, what’s being done to protect them, and “adopt” a whale so you can follow its journey across the ocean. Explore the waterways and trails of the magnificent San Juan Islands afoot and afloat in search of these beautiful and intelligent animals. Hike to island vistas with an expert naturalist to learn about other wildlife and flora and fauna on the islands!

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Walking up to two miles over gently rolling terrain; some stairs.

Best of all, you’ll…

During a three-hour boat expedition, search for orca whales, porpoises, harbor seals, sea birds and sea lions.
Learn about the orcas’ social intelligence on a field trip to a whale research outpost station, and choose a whale to “adopt” as you learn about its history and follow its future.
Hike through spectacular San Juan Island National Park to spot wildflowers, butterflies, Bald Eagles and prairie grasses, and learn why the Americans and British quarreled over a perished pig.

General Notes

Program is for grandchildren ages 9-13.

Featured Expert

All trip experts

Cindy Hansen

Cindy Hansen, born in Gary, Indiana, received a bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of Washington and previously worked as a whale watch naturalist, education curator for The Whale Museum, and an expert at a gray whale camp at Laguna San Ignacio in Baja. She is currently the education and advocacy coordinator for Orca Network, and volunteers for the research organizations Orca Behavior Institute and Wild Orca. She also volunteers for Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and with the local animal shelter.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Cindy Hansen View biography

Cindy Hansen, born in Gary, Indiana, received a bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of Washington and previously worked as a whale watch naturalist, education curator for The Whale Museum, and an expert at a gray whale camp at Laguna San Ignacio in Baja. She is currently the education and advocacy coordinator for Orca Network, and volunteers for the research organizations Orca Behavior Institute and Wild Orca. She also volunteers for Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and with the local animal shelter.

Shona Aitken View biography

Shona Aitken is the education coordinator at Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, and has worked in education and rehabilitation positions at the center for over three decades. Born and raised in Scotland, she has a degree in ecology and environmental science from Stirling University and worked in a range of ecology and wildlife-based positions in Scotland and Sweden before coming to the U.S. Shona teaches about local wildlife and increases awareness of the impacts of human activities on these animals and their habitats.

Kevin Culmback View biography

Kevin Culmback's years of travel as well leading wildlife excursions in Western Washington, make him a perfect group leader for the San Juan Islands and Pacific Northwest. Growing up outside Seattle, Kevin has always enjoyed all things outdoors. Kevin has spent years traveling the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Hawaii and beyond, exploring the natural world and capturing those areas through his camera lens. After 20 years in the San Juan Islands, his heart is in the Northwest... until the travel bug bites again.

Lilly Dukes View biography

Lilly Dukes was interested in teaching and education from a very early age. In this way, education and travel became linked. Lilly graduated from Fairhaven College with a BS in education, and a specific focus on culturally relevant educational modalities and experiential education tools. Lilly has worked in a variety of settings including women's shelters, intergenerational learning groups, teacher training, parent education, and field studies programs. You will often find her on a trail or beach with her husband, son, and rescue dog.

Suggested Reading List (6 books)

Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop

You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

Search for a Title

Whales & Trails: A San Juan Island Adventure With Your Grandchild

Program Number: 19929

Rainshadow World: A Naturalist's Year in the San Juan Islands

by Susan Vernon

The San Juan Archipelago of Washington State is a wondrous place where the land meets the sea. In Rainshadow World, naturalist Susan Vernon explores the fascinating world of wildlife in one of the earth's richest biological realms. From rocky shores and tall grass prairies, to forests draped with mosses and lichens and resonating to the drumbeat of pileated woodpeckers, she encounters the first wildflowers of spring, watches a bald eagle's first flight, surveys rare island marble butterflies, and wonders at whales playing in the moonlight. Susan knows the secret places to explore and takes readers on a compelling journey through an island year.

Birding in the San Juan Islands

by Mark G. Lewis and Fred A. Sharpe

Handy guide for visitor's and residents alike to learn more about Island birds, seasonality, local "hot spots", and how the insular ecosystems affects bird behavior.

San Juan Islands Wildlife: A Handbook for Exploring Nature

by Evelyn Adams

Natural beauty and a rich diversity of wildlife draw thousands of visitors annually to Washington's San Juan Islands. Until now, there has never been a book that provides an overview of natural life in this beautiful archipelago. San Juan Islands Wildlife is an informative and affectionate look at the habits and habitats of the flora and fauna found within the unique environment of the region.

Springer's Journey

by Naomi Black

Springer has the perfect Orca whale life, living and playing with the rest of her family in the kelp forests or Northern British Columbia until her idyllic life is suddenly shattered. Based on a true story, this is the account of a brave young whale, a surprising journey, and the discovery that the road home doesn't begin on any map: it begins in your heart.

North Puget Sound: Afoot and Afloat

by Marge & Ted Mueller

An insiders guide to the North Puget Sound region of Washington State.

Friday Harbor

by Mike Vouri, San Juan Historical Society, Julia Vouri

A book that reviews the rich history and residents of Friday Harbor throughout the past 100 years.

Start Enrolling

Recommended For You