When visiting Seattle, should you go whale watching from a boat or a hot air balloon?

It would be a blast to go whale watching from a hot air balloon, which is what we did last weekend. Floating among the whales and closely looking at these magnificent creatures was a surreal experience. The orcas, sometimes known as “killer whales,” flowed through the water with grace, and it was an incredible sight to observe them in their natural home.

A whale-watching cruise on a boat is recommended if you want to observe orcas up close. Another alternative is to take a hot air balloon ride up to 5000 feet in Seattle and use high-powered binoculars to try to identify them from above!

Although seeing a grey whale from a hot air balloon is unusual, it is not unheard of! The good news is that you’ll get spectacular vistas of Mt. Rainier and the Cascade mountain range. On tour, visitors will likely observe a wide variety of fascinating species! Elk, deer, fox pups, eagles, and other gorgeous wildlife are common sightings! We saw a bear and a cougar last summer on one of our flights. The bear was a few years old, and the cougar celebrated her 40th birthday on the journey.

Seeing orca whales breach is an unforgettable family event. So keep a watch out for this beautiful marine creature, whether you’re in a hot air balloon or on a boat.

Whales from the area are visiting Seattle.

We have a tiny concentration of whales in Seattle, made up of a few separate Orca pods. Southern Residents, Transient Orcas, and Offshore Orcas are the three types of orcas.

The Southern Residents are a pod of orcas that dwell near Seattle in the Puget Sound. The J, K, and L pods are the three family groups that make up the J, K, and L pods. Because they spend most of their time in the same region, these orcas are referred to as “residents.” They mostly eat salmon, which they catch on inter-island trips by hunting in packs.

Transient Orcas are a group of orcas that dwell near Seattle in the Pacific Northwest. They are made up of various family groups who frequently travel. They eat largely seals and sea lions, which are marine mammals.

Orcas that live in the wide ocean, far from land, are known as offshore orcas. They are made up of several different familial groups, and they eat a lot of fish, such as tuna and sharks.

Fun Facts About Whales

For your amusement, here are some interesting facts about Orcas!

• Orcas are highly gregarious animals that frequently move in groups called “pods.”
• Pods can be made up of orcas from the same family or different families.
• Orcas use a variety of sounds to communicate with one another, including clicks, whistles, and screams.
• Adult orcas are also known to slap the water with their tails, making a loud noise.
• Orcas may occasionally breach (leap out of the water) or tail-walk (balance on their tails and wave their flukes in the air). These actions are regarded to be a manner of conveying or expressing joy.
• A variety of marine creatures is frequently seen during whale-watching cruises. Whales, dolphins, grey whales, humpback whales, baleen whales, blue whales, minke whales, seals, finback whales, and other apex predators are frequently seen by guests.

On A Hot Air Balloon Ride, Spotting Orca Whales

If you’re searching for a different viewpoint on whale watching, try soaring alongside them in a hot air balloon. Hot air balloon rides that transport you up to 5000 feet in the sky are available in Seattle. You’ll be able to see the whales swimming down using some high-powered binoculars from here. There are several departure times available throughout the day for whale viewing tours. The hot air balloon trips offered by Seattle Ballooning depart at sunrise and dusk. You’ll want to choose a sunrise flight if you want to see orca whales from the balloon. Early in the morning and late at night, orcas whales feed the most!

Awe-inspiring Hot-Air-Balloon Ride

Seattle Ballooning offers hot air balloon trips with 360-degree views immediately in front of Mt. Rainier. San Juan Island, Lopez Island, Orcas Island, and even downtown Seattle will be visible! Our hot air balloon trips reach a maximum altitude of 5k feet and provide a birds-eye perspective of Seattle’s beautiful countryside. The champagne is served following the hot air balloon journey, which lasts around one hour, and the entire event lasts 3 hours from start to finish.

If you’re seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience, viewing from a hot air balloon should be at the top of your list!

Consider whale watching from a hot air balloon the next time you’re in Seattle or searching for a unique once-in-a-lifetime activity! It’ll be an adventure you’ll never forget.