"the mountain and the sea are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books." -john lubbock
Meet Our Team
The Salish Sea School is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, inclusion, and connectedness. We are able to grow and learn better together with a diverse team. We welcome the unique contributions that one can bring in terms of their education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.
We are stronger together with the collective sum of individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent which ultimately brings about a healthier planet.
Click on the pictures below to learn more.
Students will explore and discover a range of marine wildlife—from tufted puffins and Steller sea lions to Bigg's orcas—all set against the stunning backdrops of San Juan Island, the Cascade Mountains, and the Olympic Mountains. Although sightings vary, every day offers its own exciting surprises in marine life!
Program Description:
Marine Wildlife Academy is a hands-on adventure, where students (11-14 years old) dive into the Salish Sea’s vibrant marine world and experience the powerful connection between ocean life and conservation. Through boat trips and island explorations, this program awakens students’ natural curiosity and gives them the tools to become future guardians of our sea.
With a curriculum designed to inspire, students will come face-to-face with eelgrass meadows, forage fish, seals, and seabirds, learning how each part of the ecosystem contributes to the health of the sea. This isn’t just learning; it’s about creating lifelong memories, understanding environmental responsibility, and planting the seeds for lasting stewardship.
If you’re looking for a way to inspire your child with a love for science, nature, and conservation, Marine Wildlife Academy is an unforgettable choice.
Students will step aboard the 48-foot Koinonia for an intimate, private charter experience—reserved exclusively for a small group of just 14 participants. With plenty of room to spread out, this spacious vessel provides a comfortable and personal setting to explore and learn about the incredible marine life of the Salish Sea. We will spend 4 days on the water and one day will be fully land based!
Please note: On some islands where a dock is unavailable or full, we’ll use a small dinghy to reach shore. Students must be comfortable and agile enough to step in and out of a dinghy from the boat (lifejackets provided and required).
Program Highlights – An Unforgettable Marine Adventure:
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Encounter Iconic Marine Life Up Close
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Master Marine Species Identification
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Make a Difference Through Beach Clean-ups and Debris Surveys
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Enjoy Personalized Learning (small groups of 6 students)
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Reconnect with Nature through Mindfulness Activities
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Engage with Marine Science Tools – use hydrophones, binoculars, and microscopes to dive deeper into marine mysteries
Each day features a unique focus, though the ocean is full of surprises—we never know which incredible animals will make an appearance!
Our mission: immerse students in the marine ecosystem and inspire them as future leaders in marine science and/or conservation.
Please note, seeing whales is never guaranteed, but every experience brings wonder and impact.
Location: Skyline Marina in Anacortes, Washington
Price: $1,599
Age: 11-14 years old
Time: M-F, 10AM-3PM
Your camper’s spot is secured with an $799 registration payment (which includes a $350 non-refundable deposit). The final balance of $800 is due 90 days before camp begins.
Please note: weather conditions will dictate if/when we go out on the water. If conditions do not permit boat travel, we will be exploring all that Fidalgo has to offer or ferry to another island for new adventures.
Traveling from afar? Here are some places to stay nearby!
Each day also includes:
stress-reduction practices
Stress-reduction practices (mindfulness activities) such as nature journaling, breath work, and increased awareness of surroundings will be implemented to help awaken the senses and enable one to be fully present in the moment.
Mindfulness practices have been show to improve breathing, lower heart rate, improve circulation, improve immune function, reduce physcial stress responses, improve sleep, and much more. Learn more here.
an unplugged experience
Guardians of the Sea provides important time away from the computer, TV, and cell phone enabling more time for learning, interacting, and 100% engagement.
"The urge to check Twitter or refresh Reddit becomes a nervous twitch that shatters uninterrupted time into shards too small to support the presence necessary for an intentional life.”
- Cal Newport, Digital Minimalism
"Every individual matters, every individual has a role to play, every individual makes a difference."
-Jane Goodall