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A close-to-home safari reveals some pretty amazing wildlife
San Juan Islands
Best for: orca whales, porpoises, seals, minke whales, and bald eagles
Indulge your Free Willy fantasies among Washington State’s San Juan Islands (Lopez, Orcas, San Juan, and Shaw Islands), celebrated for the spectacular wildlife-viewing opportunities they afford. Visitors here from mid-April through mid-October can ogle majestic pods of orca whales as they prowl the ocean for marine food sources. On land, the opportunities can be equally dazzling, with coastal congregations of seals and sea lions, as well as tranquil protected wetlands that are home to a plethora of waterfowl and sea birds. www.visitsanjuans.com
Smart Splurge Hotel: Embedded in protected wetlands on Orcas Island, Otter’s Pond B&B’s French-country-style cedar house touts well-appointed rooms, a sumptuous five-course breakfast, and spacious decks with an outdoor hot tub, from which guests catch glimpses of native wildlife in the surrounding forests and ponds. www.otterspond.com
Great Value Hotel: A blend of 19th-century, antique-furnished rooms and country-chic suites with private balconies and gas fireplaces make up the Outlook Inn, which overlooks the tranquil expanses of the East Sound, off of Orcas Island. The best deals can be found in the European-style rooms located in the historic Main Building of the Inn. www.outlookinn.com
When to Go: May through September are the best months for wildlife viewing, particularly for the star attaction: pods of orca whales.
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