In my experience the most reliable place for viewing Orcas is from Telegraph
Cove, Vancouver Island. Boat tours are run by Stubbs Island Charters. Lodging
is available nearby in Port McNeil. It's about 8 hours from Seattle,
including the Tsawwassen-Schwartz Bay ferry (BC's a big place, so I think
this still qualifies as southern BC). The San Juan's are hit and miss. I
think the most reliabe is out of Friday Harbor on one of the tour boats. San
Juan Boat Rentals & Tours (Darrell at 360-378-3499) is a good one.