Captains David, Barbara and Skye are delightful to sail with. We had a full tail sail and saw seals, orcas, and humpback whales, in addition to Eagles, falcons and lots of waterfowl. They knew exactly where to go to have the best wildlife sightings. They are wealth of knowledge and passionate about what they are doing. Skye is just the cutest and a pleasure to be around. Having seen the other whale watching boats in the area and how they behaved around the whales, we strongly recommend going with All Aboard Sailing. Not only is it the most professional and respectful of the whales , We believe it is the most knowledgeable, friendly, and personable option there is in the San Juans. The boat is comfortable with bean bag chairs on the foredeck with blankets to keep you warm. It is also great to ride in the cockpit and learn sailing tips and see the progress of the trip. David is a wealth of knowledge about sailing and the boat. Barbara is a tremendous resource for biological information. Such a complimentary couple. For a full day sail it is convenient to get sandwiches from Kings Market. After the trip they send you pictures they took and a plot of the route you took. Their photos were much better than any we took. Don't go to Friday Harbor without going sailing with All Aboard Sailing, even if you only have time for a 1/2 day or an evening sail - DO IT - you won't be disappointed. read more

All Aboard Sailing - Hoisting the whale watching flag - Boat Tours Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

The team and vessel were exceptional! Traveling group also included a baby. Our team was accommodating and did their best to ensure we saw humpback whales, seals, and eagles! Thank you Captain David and Josiah! read more

I highly recommend a sailing with Capt. David. We live in Friday Harbor and scheduled a sail with them to celebrate our 25th Anniversary. We met another couple celebrating their anniversary as well. It was a magical sail with a beautiful sunset and we were graced with Orcas. Capt. David is a great photographer too. He sent photos to our emails and he captured a great moment of my husband and I. I had his photo made into a metal print to always remember the moment. The bean bag chairs are super comfy and you can bring your own special bottle to enjoy a toast with. When the sun goes down it is quite chilly, Capt David came out with blankets for all of us. He even supplies binoculars. This is one of my favorite things to do on the island. Whether you are a local or a tourist you will enjoy this experience. read more

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I've known Barbara and David, the captains, for years before I got the pleasure of taking a cruise with them. My family of six chose the five hour tour and we had so much fun. All Aboard is an intimate cruise setting with knowledgeable hosts/captains. They pointed out wildlife and were accommodating to requests and questions. We learned a lot about some of the outlying islands and it made the connection to San Juan Island even more special. They kept tracking some Orcas that were in the area, but they managed to allude us. We did get some time with a humpback traveling by himself and that was one thing off of the bucket list. If you're on the fence between one of the larger tours or this tour... choose this one. Bring a picnic, your camera, curiosity and sense of adventure and set sail for a lovely afternoon with All Aboard! read more

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Captain David and Carly were terrific!!! It was a beautiful sail experience with orca, minky, humpback, porpoise and seal sightings!! Great weather and very accommodating! Would highly recommend to novice and experienced whale watchers!! Thank you Captain David! We'll be back again! Traci and Luke read more

We had a lovely time on our sunset cruise. Captain David was knowledgeable and kind and knew right where to be when the sun started to set. I would absolutely sail with him again! read more

All Aboard Sailing - Boat Tours Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

This sail was in the top 10 best days of my life. Lovely experience from tip to tail. Starts with great communication, then comfy beanbags (brilliant as far as I'm concerned), then captain David provides all the additional warm layers, safety vest and binoculars needed. As you get cozy and settle in, the sail begins. Captain David is highly knowledgeable, capable, personable and talented. He manages to command the boat, navigate, and host all while taking absolutely stunning photos. Seeing the nature from a sailboat was worth every single penny. Book it! read more

Sailing is the best way to enjoy the water and this is the best boat to whale watch from! The captains are knowledgeable and fun to be around. They'll spot eagles, educate you about the islands, and share past whale watching sails. Book the full-day - it's worth it! Enjoyed making new friends during the sail. Got to see two Orcas on the hunt. Don't forget to bring your own snacks, drinks, and lunch! Photo cred: Joan read more

All Aboard Sailing - Two orcas on the hunt - Boat Tours Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

Captain David, Barbara and Skye were absolute joys to spend time with at sea. We missed whales the 1st day, but David called and said come back. We're going back out. Long story short, we saw the orcas!!! read more

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What an absolutely great day (4 hours) sailing with David and his crew. Super accommodating! Very thoughtful! Pointed out the sights as we sailed. My brother Paul and his wife Sue treated us to this extraordinary adventure. We were able to go ashore on Yellow Island and do a small hike to see sleepy seals & their pups, and an ever present Bald Eagle ! We will go again next time we're visiting my brother and this beautiful paradise called Friday Harbor / San Juan Islands! Thanks for making our stay all the more enjoyable. read more

Captains David and Barbara (and mate Skye!) aboard the Peniel were great hosts and made for a perfect day on the water. Their knowledge of the area and its wildlife are absolutely top shelf, and their friendliness and enthusiasm in sharing it was boundless. I felt far more like I was sailing with friends than like a paying guest; they made everything very comfortable, all while inspiring great confidence with their professionalism and skills on the boat. A unexpected bonus is that David is also a first-rate photographer, and the pictures they shared with me after the trip are like having a photo album of the day done by a professional photographer (the pictures in this review are from my phone)! Looking forward to another trip with All Aboard Sailing soon! read more

I'm not sure I can fully put into words what an incredible experience we had with All Aboard Sailing. David and Barbara were an absolute delight to spend a day sailing with. Their deep knowledge of the local area and wildlife was inspiring, coupled with their ability to make you feel at ease and welcome is truly a gift. I felt as though we learned so much from them, and also were able to see so many things, it made it so much better to hear the history of an area or the behaviors of different animals while also seeing them. I had high hopes of seeing whales, but knew that was not guaranteed. I found it so interesting to hear about why we were planning one route vs another based on the orcas typical behaviors. We were fortunate enough to see both orcas and humpbacks and it was an experience of a lifetime. It was truly magical. As a lifetime whale lover, this was more than I could have hoped for. I was nervous about sailing but my husband loves it and I wanted everyone to have something to look forward to, I'm so thankful we chose to sail with David and Barbara. They are exceptional captains and people. I was in awe of their ability to predict the directional changes and get our boat into great positions to be be able to see the whales. We were often the only boat in the area and able to spend some peaceful time alone with the whales before other ships moved in and we moved on. The fact that they emailed us photos from our sail is just the absolute icing on the cake. I can't wait to hang these in my office and remember this amazing day. Thank you so much Barbara, David, & Skye I certainly plan on seeing you again for another sail! On our way back to Friday Harbor they offered us cozy blankets to bundle up and hot cocoa. It was the kindest coziest way to end a perfect day. read more

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We wanted to sail and we are happy to have sailed with this crew. Captain David, Barbara and Skye were knowledgeable, experienced, and were perfect hosts. Thank you for a relaxing wind powered voyage on a beautiful San Juan day! read more

We had the best of times on two 8 hr sails onboard the 42 foot Peniel with Barbara and David Howitt! Our group of whale lovers spent time with several pods of transient orcas, watched harbor seals and porpoises. They were both so knowledgeable and eager to share with us. They hold the honor of being the only sailboat in the Pacific Whale Assn. I highly recommend a full day sail with this sweet family. read more

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David and Barbara provide a completely unique experience when it comes to whale watching throughout the San Juan Islands! My partner and I decided to book a full day and assumed it would be standard whale watching, just on a sail boat instead of a power boat...it was so much more. They are both extremely knowledgeable about the area and wildlife and they take the time to show you around all of the islands. It was a wonderful way to spend a day and I would recommend this charter to anyone who wants to truly enjoy the San Juan's! read more

We had a lovely short sail with Captain David and Barbara on All Aboard Sailing. They have a wonderful wooden boat called the Peniel that was built in 1956. Ours was a last minute trip because when we reached out to David, he said there was a pod of orcas close to San Juan Island and it was a good time to go. Off we went and sure enough after seeing porpoises, and a seal or two, we had the opportunity to see four orcas very close to the boat. First at a distance, they turned up under and right next to the boat. We took and got wonderful photos to remember the experience. David and Barbara stayed in contact after the sail, answering questions about kayaking and the northern lights. We enjoyed our sail and recommend them highly. read more

My husband and I had the best time on a private sail with Captain David! The scenery was absolutely beautiful and we learned so much about the islands. I cannot recommend this experience highly enough. We can't wait to do it again. Thanks so much! read more

Took a 1/2 day sail from Friday Harbor to Yellow Island with family members (5 in total) and had a great time. The wildflowers were in bloom and it is a very easy hike to walk the whole small island. David and Barbara were great at making us immediately feel at home and were also great at sailing their boat. ---Geo read more

OK- you'd be crazy to NOT use All Aboard Sailing with David and Barbara! First of all, responsiveness, customer service and communication goes a long ways. They really made our reservation and on-boarding experience best of class. They make great connections and personalize with their customers. The boat we sailed on with them was a 1954 Sailboat and was a treasure to sail on. We kept in communication with them a day or two prior to the actual sail and they updated us on whale sightings etc. They truly view the trip and experience thru the Customer eyes. The trip itself was amazing and we saw T101's and trailed them at a distance for a couple hours- what an amazing experience to see that with an open boat. David kept us just as the right distance predicting their moves yet intimate. We couldn't be happier with the end to end experience and I would highly encourage everyone to get to know David, Barbara and All Aboard Sailing- they really know their wildlife and whale families, histories and years born. It was our BEST whale watching experience we have ever had!! read more

All Aboard Sailing - Boat Tours Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

An absolute wonderful time. The captain and his wife were knowledgeable, friendly and attentive. We booked an all day sail and it was worth every penny. Sailing was much more relaxing than a powerboat chasing down the wildlife. Sea lions, harbor seals, eagles, sea birds of all types and humpback whales were on the agenda for our sail. This is a must for anyone who has the time to go for a sail. Note: wear sunscreen. read more

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This was an amazing adventure. David and Barbara are amazing hosts. We had our group of 4 plus another couple so very small group. They are very knowledgeable about the whales and their habits. Felt like we were going to see their friends as they knew all about the Orca family we saw--4 adults and two young orcas. They provided photos from OUR trip with us in them and also of the whales and seals and eagles and other wildlife we had seen on our trip. Those photos were included in the trip price. My husband loves sailing and had a great experience on this 42 foot sailboat. read more

AMAZING. I chartered a day long sail for my girlfriend (now fiancé after this trip), and it was FANTASTIC. Captain David & Barbara are incredibly nice and knowledgeable, and so unbelievably sweet. We hung out on bean bags on the deck, enjoying everything around us. We'd brought wine and snacks (they have a little fridge & cutlery, etc. so pack some snacks!). The entire focus of our trip (other than the proposal, which they graciously photographed when i casually signaled them) was to see orcas, but we'd missed a lot of the residents as they'd traveled north just a few days before. With a combination of their expert knowledge & gut instincts, we made a loop and intersected perfectly with the T-pod orcas. If you're considering & able to... DO IT!!! We are already planning our next trip back to visit, and we will definitely be calling them again. FYI - Skye (their daughter) is super sweet, and they kept her very well entertained so whether you love kids or want to be adults-only, it wasn't an issue at all. :) read more

Had a great private sail for a day with David and Barbara and their beautiful 6. Nth old daughter. Saw Orcas, sea lions, seals and otter. Sailing is the way to experience this incredible environment. They even had a cake for my birthday sail. read more

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We had such a great time. No whale sightings but saw tons of other wildlife and sealife. Barbara is so very knowledgeable on everything. David is a great captain. Always making sure we are comfortable and enjoying our voyage. Couldn't ask for more hospitality. They are very responsive to make sure you are back in time for ferry pick up. We are definitely going to book another trip with them again. Just nice calm peaceful sailing. Any questions they had the answers don't hesitate to ask. read more

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This experience will be a lifelong memory of mine. David and Barbara are so nice and friendly, their boat is very comfortable with bean bags and blankets, and they are so knowledgable about whales, wildlife and their area. I visited during COVID, and they were very safe with everything sanitized, lots of room to socially distance and only 6 people max per cruise. Couldn't recommend more, and I can't wait to come back again. read more

All Aboard Sailing - Sunset after an all day sail - Boat Tours Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

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We are so glad we opted for All Aboard Sailing instead of the usual power-boat tour on our trip to the San Juan Islands last month. We had a fun sail and saw many orcas from a distance. The Howitts are wonderful guides. They have an impressive depth of knowledge about the islands and wildlife, and they also were a pleasure to spend the day with. Highly recommend. read more

100% pure fun to sail with Captain David. Worth every penny to catch a ride and explore the islands. Wildlife, local insights, a little history, and a relaxing way to be on the water versus on land watching the water activities. David is easy going and has a passion that rubs off on guests. Special memories. 10/10. read more

Great crew, knowledgeable and always working to give us a memorable experience. Followed two orca pods and could clearly hear their spouting sprays. read more

Do not leave San Juan without sailing with All Aboard Sailing!! This experience blows the more touristy whale watching cruises out of the water. I can unequivocally recommend a full day. We are total rookies when it comes to time on a sailboat, but this was a true highlight of our visit to the archipelago. We saw such an abundance of wildlife and got a deep appreciation for the San Juans. We saw humpback whales, California sea lion, harbor seals, Stellar sea lions, porpoise, countless bald eagles and more! Captains David and Barbara are such lovely people. Sailing with them and their young daughter Skye was easy and comfortable. They were knowledgeable about the wildlife and shared all kinds of insider tips about the islands and surrounding sea. I brought up the idea of a swim for our kids who were interested in a quick jump off Peniel into the chilly water and Captain David found a protected small cove for them. They loved it!! David and Barbara photographed the entire sail and shared the high quality digital copies with us after the sail along with a marked map and blog about our specific journey. Barbara was so amazing after our sail as she shared locations of the local orca so we could go spot them from shore several times. Before the sail I was concerned 8 hours on a sailboat would be too much. But at the end of our day we all wanted to camp on the boat and start off again the next morning! read more

Our private 3-hr sail with David (Barbara was not feeling well) was a delightful experience that kept on giving. We didn't see any whales on the sail, but we enjoyed the beautiful day and the otters, porpoises, and bald eagle that we did see. David promised to tell us if the whales were spotted the next day, and he did. They showed up at the time and place he predicted, and we watched them breach for 2.5 hours. It was a once-in-a-lifetime treat! After we returned home, I found 2 emails from him with about 2 dozen fabulous photographs from our sail. I couldn't be more pleased. read more

We had a BLAST. First off, I called at 10am on a random Wednesday in January, and got our sail scheduled for that afternoon at 1pm. David and "crew" met us at the dock and got us settled in right away. Bean bags, extra blankets and gloves were given to us to to make us cozier on the deck. They went through what animals we might expect to see, and have us binoculars to get up close views of some. No whales, unfortunately, but such a beautiful experience none the less. Can't recommend it enough, perfect for anyone wanting to see more of the islands and water. Wear all your layers though, (including warm shoes!), a boat deck in January in northern Washington isn't always the warmest. But fresh made hot cocoa sure helps. read more

All Aboard Sailing - Boat Tours Near Me - Friday Harbor, Washington

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Fantastic half day sail with David, Barbara and Skye! All Aboard Sailing went above and beyond to ensure my son and I had a wonderful experience. They are extremely knowledgable about the area and marine life. I hope we get a chance to sail with them again. read more

We went on a sailing trip with All Aboard Sailing as part of our honeymoon and it was fantastic! We loved every minute of it and it was one of our favorite activities. Not only did we see orcas, but we saw other wildlife and David was great at pointing things out. We did the full sail and it was definitely worth it! read more

Amazing sail to see Orcas. You can't go wrong with David and Barbara aboard the Peniel. From start to finish, the experience was amazing. Seeing orcas from a sailboat is a one of a kind opportunity. David and Barbara are incredibly knowledgeable about the orcas, the islands, and other marine wildlife. We saw the southern orcas pod, seals, birds, eagles and even a jellyfish. You get an option of sail lengths and David and Barbara are very accommodating. We arrived late to the Harbor due to a delay in the ferry arrival but they gave us our 5+ hour sail anyway. Truly a spectacular trip! Make sure to bring lots of layers and be prepared to sit on bean bags on the deck. If you have serious physical limitations, this may not be for you. read more

Captain Dave, Barbra & Sky are wonderful hosts! They are very knowledgeable about the islands and took their time to make sure we had a lovely day. We would love to sail with them again in the future. read more

David, the owner and captain, is a consummate professional. He's been working on the waters of the Salish Sea for years and it's quite evident. He was very fun, engaging and was willing to answer all of our many questions. No doubt we'll be returning for another sail with David! read more

This family offered an incredible experience that was perfect for our vacation to Friday Harbor. Captain David went above & beyond on our trip, by staying out later so we could watch some orcas & also offering us hot beverages at the end to keep us warm on the sail back to the harbor. A once-in-a-lifetime experience for sure & we highly recommend them for your whale watching needs. Thanks Captain David! read more

Our all day sail was truly a life changing experience. David and Barbara are skilled sailors, knowledgeable about the islands and all the surrounding wildlife. They made us feel completely comfortable all throughout our journey together. The beautifully maintained "Peniel" (their 41ft wooden sailboat) performed magnificently and has updated navigation and rigging. We are definitely looking forward to our next sail with All Aboard Sailing upon our return to Friday Harbor in the future. read more

We had a fantastic time sailing with David and Barbara, was one of the most relaxing experiences we have had in a long time.. We saw whales , both resident Orca's and transients, bald eagles, seals and various birds native to the area. It is apparent that they both have a love for the area and a lot of knowledge of the plight of the resident Orca's, It was fascinating to hear of their adventures and learn more about these beautiful animals! This was not our first time whale watching, but it was the first time we spent the day on the water and on a sail boat.. I would recommend them above all others! we will definitely be booking again.. In addition... Great food cooked by David, and comfy bean bag chairs to sit on while you watch the whales and other wildlife, binoculars provided, Book this one! read more

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I have been out with Captain David on the Peniel on five cruises. Three of the five were diving trips. David got us to some remote and pristine dive sites around the northern San Juan Archipelago. On another occassion I took a family I was guiding in the San Juans and Vancouver Island out for a sunset dinner cruise. I arranged to bring our own salmon barbecue and all the fixings with us. We had an amazing experience under sail as the summer sun set over Friday Harbor. The galley was spacious, clean, and easy to stage our meal from. We ate up top on deck and we completely satisfied. David had a nice balance of encouraging us to take on the joys and challenges of the helm, and confidently taking over at just the right moment. On Father's day a couple of years ago, my children and I hired David to take us over to Lopez Island as a way to share the day. Again we had a fantastic time and got to experience the magnificent Peniel under sail. Captain David has always been very flexible and accommodated whatever cruise or expedition I have thought up. He cares immensely for his guests safety and comfort, and freely shares his vast knowledge of sailing and maritime lore with all aboard. He is my go to for exploring the waters of the San Juans. read more