"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.
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Join us for an unforgettable journey to spot Tufted Puffins in their natural habitat, guided by our expert naturalists. With a bit of luck, you might even catch sight of a rare visitor—a lone Horned Puffin who occasionally crashes the Tufted Puffin party! This experience is perfect for birders of all levels, from curious beginners to seasoned pros.
But this trip is more than just birdwatching—it’s a mission-driven adventure. Every private puffin tour helps fund our marine education and research programs, including free access for underserved youth. Many of the students we serve have never felt sand beneath their feet or seen the sea in person. Your participation helps change that.
All private trips depart from Skyline Marina in Anacortes, Washington, where we’ll board our comfortable 22-foot Hewescraft vessel for an inspiring exploration of the Salish Sea.
To ensure safety and comfort, trips are limited to 6 participants, with an individual weight limit of 250 lbs.
We’re deeply grateful for your support—and we can’t wait to share the wild beauty and wonder of the Salish Sea with you.
Photo above by Jerry Hammond
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We'll be exploring near Smith and Minor Islands, where Tufted Puffins can be seen in their striking breeding plumage from April to July and can be observed transitioning to winter plumage in August and September.
An astounding variety of bird species may also be encountered, such as; Horned Puffins, Rhinoceros Auklets, Common Murres, Pigeon Guillemots, Black Oystercatchers, Harlequin Ducks, Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Great Blue Herons, Marbled and Ancient Murrelets, Red-necked Phalaropes, Black and Ruddy Turnstones, Parasitic Jaegers, Sooty and Manx Shearwaters, Northern Fulmars, Bonaparte’s Gulls, Common and Pacific Loons, Surf and White-winged Scoters, and Red-necked Grebes, and more!
Photo by Eric Ellingson
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WE ARE A NONPROFIT: As a 501(c)(3), our mission is to spark curiosity and connect communities to the sea through adventure, research, and hands-on programs that inspire marine stewardship for all ages.
SUPPORT STUDENTS: Your ticket purchase helps to provide incredible experiences for students to explore the Salish Sea, many for the first time, through boat rides, kayaking, and tide pool adventures.
POST-TRIP MATERIALS: Receive a complete eBird list and trip report, contributing to citizen science and capturing lasting memories with photos.
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Want to book a private trip with us?
Email amy@thesalishseaschool.org with the date(s) available and amount of people (6 max).
Trips are $250/hr. with a minimum of 3 hrs for a Private Puffin trip.
Photo by Eric Ellingson.
All private trips depart from Skyline Marina in Anacortes, Washington, where we’ll board our comfortable 22-foot Hewescraft vessel for a memorable journey through the Salish Sea.
To ensure safety and comfort on board, each trip is limited to a maximum of 6 participants, with an individual weight limit of 250 lbs.
We’re truly grateful for your interest and can’t wait to share the breathtaking beauty and extraordinary birdlife of the Salish Sea with you!