Raft up with other kayakers, and wait for the whales to come to you. They're not noisy underwater, which is nice for the whales, but it presents a problem because the whales won't necessarily know they're on the surface. Soundwatch recommends kayakers tap a rhythm on the hull of their boats so the whales can hear them and know they are there. Not everyone agrees that kayakers should signal their presence by tapping. John Kuntz, owner of Olympic Outdoor Center in Poulsbo, has been leading whale-watching kayak excursions in the San Juans the last three years.
Whales are curious.
If they hear tapping, they'll come investigate. The less intrusive the better. Don't make any noises and just observe. Osborne said it's in kayakers' self-interest to let the whales know they're in the water. It wouldn't take much for an orca, which can weigh up to 10,000 pounds, to upset a kayak.