Reviews for FRS Clipper (Clipper Vacations)

Amazing!

This was an amazing experience! The team was amazing! Allison, the naturalist, was a great source of information! Seeing the orcas in a natural environment was so uplifting and inspiring! Thank you for a great experience!

Product: Only Wildlife and Whale Watching Tour Leaving from Seattle

Ferry Seattle to Victoria

Wonderful and fun way to travel from Seattle to Victoria. Easy check in at Seattle terminal and easy to follow departure instructions when getting off ferry in Victoria. The caption explained sights along the way and even pointed out a pod of whales, slowed down so we could take pictures. Fun trip

Product: One-Way Ferry: Seattle, WA to Victoria, BC (High-Speed)

Amazing!

This was an amazing experience! The team was amazing! Allison, the naturalist, was a great source of information! Seeing the orcas in a natural environment was so uplifting and inspiring! Thank you for a great experience!

Product: Seattle: Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise

Product: FRS Clipper (Clipper Vacations)

A Pod that included Baby Orcas and a Bald Eagle

I went on a whale watching tour in Seattle about 26 years ago, and things have certainly changed! The FRS Clipper does everything they can to ensure that you see whales on your trip, and my trip did not disappoint! When you check-in at the pier, you move into a waiting area in the building until boarding time. There is a very nice and very clean restroom for you to use (and while the boat does have four bathrooms, I suggest taking advantage of the one on land). Once we set sail, we were told that there were professional photographers on board to take photos of what we saw so that we could enjoy the experience, and for me, this sounded great! Whatever photo a professional photographer takes is going to be much better than what my amateur self will take on my iPhone. So, my suggestion is to cough of the $30 for the flash drive and enjoy the trip. We stopped at a buoy that had sunbathing sea lions. Unfortunately, they were on the opposite side of the ship from where I was sitting, and I didn't want to rush into the crowd, so I caught some glimpses of them as we pulled away. As we neared the sight where the orcas were supposedly hanging out, I realized that I was in the perfect spot as I was sitting next to the railing that had a prime view of the pod. The pod had two baby orcas, two females, and a transient male. A bald eagle flew about five feet over my head, and I opted to simply enjoy the experience. I was happy to see that the eagle was captured by one of the photographers and included in the flash drive (just the eagle, not if flying over my head :)). We stayed for the allowed time to observe the pod and witnessed a lot of small jumps from the babies. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the beautiful scenery provided by Mount Rainier, the cityscape, and mountains surrounding the islands. We did book the trip through the FRS Clipper website. I chose indoor seats on the second level (and paid for the window seats), but we spent a lot of our time on top of the boat where there was additional, unassigned seating. This is the vantage point I watched the sea lions, eagle, and whales from. Note: The photos included in this review are from the purchased flashdrive.

Product: Only Wildlife and Whale Watching Tour Leaving from Seattle

A Pod that included Baby Orcas and a Bald Eagle

I went on a whale watching tour in Seattle about 26 years ago, and things have certainly changed! The FRS Clipper does everything they can to ensure that you see whales on your trip, and my trip did not disappoint! When you check-in at the pier, you move into a waiting area in the building until boarding time. There is a very nice and very clean restroom for you to use (and while the boat does have four bathrooms, I suggest taking advantage of the one on land). Once we set sail, we were told that there were professional photographers on board to take photos of what we saw so that we could enjoy the experience, and for me, this sounded great! Whatever photo a professional photographer takes is going to be much better than what my amateur self will take on my iPhone. So, my suggestion is to cough of the $30 for the flash drive and enjoy the trip. We stopped at a buoy that had sunbathing sea lions. Unfortunately, they were on the opposite side of the ship from where I was sitting, and I didn't want to rush into the crowd, so I caught some glimpses of them as we pulled away. As we neared the sight where the orcas were supposedly hanging out, I realized that I was in the perfect spot as I was sitting next to the railing that had a prime view of the pod. The pod had two baby orcas, two females, and a transient male. A bald eagle flew about five feet over my head, and I opted to simply enjoy the experience. I was happy to see that the eagle was captured by one of the photographers and included in the flash drive (just the eagle, not if flying over my head :)). We stayed for the allowed time to observe the pod and witnessed a lot of small jumps from the babies. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the beautiful scenery provided by Mount Rainier, the cityscape, and mountains surrounding the islands. We did book the trip through the FRS Clipper website. I chose indoor seats on the second level (and paid for the window seats), but we spent a lot of our time on top of the boat where there was additional, unassigned seating. This is the vantage point I watched the sea lions, eagle, and whales from. Note: The photos included in this review are from the purchased flashdrive.

Product: Seattle: Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise

As promised we saw whales

A very professional set up. We got to see Orcas. They spent enough time at each sighting. We were satisfied.

Product: Seattle: Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise

As promised we saw whales

A very professional set up. We got to see Orcas. They spent enough time at each sighting. We were satisfied.

Product: Only Wildlife and Whale Watching Tour Leaving from Seattle

Okay first, unless you are staying right in the down town, get over there at least an hour early. We were staying in Renton and got stuck in traffic and nearly missed the boat because of the train, the traffic for the cruise ship taking on people a pire over, and the road construction. Second, if you are a woman, do not wear big heavy earrings to this. The ferry takes you out to the whales a bit speedily and this will yank your ears around and your hat right off your head, especially of there's already wind picking up. Third, while they do take pictures while on your trip and sell them on a flash drive which is nice, they also upload them to the website later. You can only get within 200 feet of the pod so you will be able to see them but at a distance. Honestly it was a great trip. I took plenty of pictures and still had time to put my phone away and enjoy them with my own eyes instead of through a phone lens. The crew were very knowledgeable and knew each whale of the pod by name. Nice little trip and highly recommend.

Product: FRS Clipper (Clipper Vacations)

This Review rating is for what you get on this trip vs what you pay. The boat and service provided by itself 5 star, however, the wildlife you see is where its very dissapointing. You barely see wildlife on the trip. We saw 4-5 Sea lions and 5-6 Orcas. You will rarely see the actual whales on this trip (once every couple months may be?). That's it. Not really worth the money or time at all. Specially if you have opportunity to see whales somewhere else (Alaska Hawaii or California), definitely go for that. No whales to see on this trip.

Product: FRS Clipper (Clipper Vacations)

Great boat/wildlife tour

On one of the nicest tour boats I’ve ever been on, with friendly crew, great naturalist, and beautiful views of the area - you could enjoy this even if you didn’t see much wildlife. It was very professionally run - easy on/off boarding. Great food and drinks. The seats were so comfortable. I’ve been on a lot of whale watching trips, but would never call it relaxing. You could sit in your comfy assigned seats, or venture up to the air on the decks. I would highly recommend this company/tour. Super easy leaving from Seattle, also!

Product: Seattle: Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise

Excellent Voyage

This was the best whale watch tour company I’ve ever used. They employ very friendly and knowledgeable staff that made the ride fun while telling us lots of very interesting information about the wildlife we were viewing. We saw beautiful whales coming out of the water along with sea lions, a porpoise, bald eagle, and others. The boat was positioned so that everyone got a chance during the ride, to see the lovely creatures in the water. The photos that were available from the professional photographers are gorgeous and captured anything I missed. I recommend this company to anyone. It was a wonderful trip that I’d love to take again when I’m in Seattle.

Product: Only Wildlife and Whale Watching Tour Leaving from Seattle

June 2025 Seattle

Wonderful trip, we saw many pods of orcas. The weather was perfect. And the crew was very knowledgeable. Highly recommend, just beautiful scenery.

Product: Seattle: Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise

Excellent Voyage

This was the best whale watch tour company I’ve ever used. They employ very friendly and knowledgeable staff that made the ride fun while telling us lots of very interesting information about the wildlife we were viewing. We saw beautiful whales coming out of the water along with sea lions, a porpoise, bald eagle, and others. The boat was positioned so that everyone got a chance during the ride, to see the lovely creatures in the water. The photos that were available from the professional photographers are gorgeous and captured anything I missed. I recommend this company to anyone. It was a wonderful trip that I’d love to take again when I’m in Seattle.

Product: Seattle: Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise

June 2025 Seattle

Wonderful trip, we saw many pods of orcas. The weather was perfect. And the crew was very knowledgeable. Highly recommend, just beautiful scenery.

Product: Only Wildlife and Whale Watching Tour Leaving from Seattle

Great boat/wildlife tour

On one of the nicest tour boats I’ve ever been on, with friendly crew, great naturalist, and beautiful views of the area - you could enjoy this even if you didn’t see much wildlife. It was very professionally run - easy on/off boarding. Great food and drinks. The seats were so comfortable. I’ve been on a lot of whale watching trips, but would never call it relaxing. You could sit in your comfy assigned seats, or venture up to the air on the decks. I would highly recommend this company/tour. Super easy leaving from Seattle, also!

Product: Only Wildlife and Whale Watching Tour Leaving from Seattle

Fantastic crossing. Smooth waters. Mindful and helpful crew. We slow down mid trip to see a part of orcas.

Product: FRS Clipper (Clipper Vacations)

Amazing Experience

It was amazing to see all the animals. It was a great day to be out on the water. Many pods of Orcas and Harbor Seals.

Product: Seattle: Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise

accessable way to have a chance to see whales

Very nice experience. Nice ship, nice crew. Helped us to manage our expectations as far as what we might actually see.

Product: Seattle: Half-Day Wildlife and Whale Watching Cruise

accessable way to have a chance to see whales

Very nice experience. Nice ship, nice crew. Helped us to manage our expectations as far as what we might actually see.

Product: Only Wildlife and Whale Watching Tour Leaving from Seattle