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Available Online

Puffin Discovery Ecotour

Join an adventure with purpose!

Starts Jul 4
From 99 US dollars
The Salish Sea School Discovery Center

Available spots

Service Description

Join an adventure with purpose. Every Puffin you spot and every observation you make contributes to ongoing research and conservation efforts. Beyond the boat, your ticket helps local students experience the Salish Sea for the first time—sparking the next generation of scientists or ocean stewards. Trip Highlights: Boat around Smith and Minor Islands, where some of the last Tufted Puffins in the Salish Sea can be seen nesting, fishing, and soaring over the waves. Each tour offers a unique exploration of the Puffins’ lives at Smith Island — and with luck, some rare species sightings as well like our Horned Puffin! During spring tours, participants have the possibility to observe Puffin breeding behavior, July-August tours have the opportunity to observe Puffins carrying forage fish to feed to their chicks, and September tours have the opportunity to see Puffins in all stages of their breeding to non-breeding plumage change before they head back out to the Pacific Ocean for our winter! Contribute to Conservation: This isn’t just a tour — it’s a citizen science experience. This ecotour will give you a taste of the work we do as an organization to conduct population counts, characterize Puffin behavior around decoys, add to Puffin diet research by photographing Puffin’s prey in their bills, and more! Tour participants are welcome to assist with conducting our bird survey during the tour, and any photographers have the opportunity to share their images of Puffins with fish in bill to our Tufted Puffin diet research database! Optional Lesson: Get ready for your adventure with an engaging pre-trip lesson (offered live or as a recording) introducing you to Washington’s endangered Tufted Puffins. Discover their incredible adaptations, the challenges they face, and how you can help protect them! After the Tour: Receive a full eBird species list and photo trip report, helping you grow as a birder and citizen scientist. Ticket Options: Adult Ticket: $149 Child (16 & Under): $99 Platinum Puffin Patron: $220 (Adopt an adorable Tufted Puffin stuffed animal to join you on this tour!) Each ticket includes a scenic voyage aboard a spacious vessel with cozy indoor seating and open-air decks designed for the best wildlife viewing and photography opportunities. Thank You for Making a Difference: Your ticket helps fund marine science programs that bring local students to the water, many for the very first time, to explore, learn, and fall in love with the Salish Sea!

Cancellation Policy

The Salish Sea School – Cancellation & Refund Policy Because our programs require advance staffing, vessel scheduling, permits, and preparation, all bookings include a 25% non-refundable deposit, unless otherwise noted below. Refund policies vary by program type. All cancellations must be submitted in writing and received within the timeframes listed below. To ensure fairness and consistency for all participants, exceptions to this policy cannot be made, including for weather, illness, or personal emergencies, unless explicitly stated. Wildlife Tours & On-Water Programs More than 72 hours (3 days) before departure: You may cancel or reschedule your booking. The 25% deposit is retained, and the remaining 75% of your payment will be refunded. Within 72 hours of departure: Refunds or rescheduling are not available unless we are able to fill your spot. If we successfully resell it, you will receive a refund minus the 25% deposit. No-shows or missed boats: No refunds are available for no-shows. Weather & Safety: If The Salish Sea School cancels a program due to unsafe weather or conditions, you will receive a full refund or the option to reschedule. Non-Wildlife Programs (Spring, Fall, and Winter Programs) Cancellations made at least 5 days prior to the course start date: Your class fee will be refunded, less the 25% processing fee. Cancellations made fewer than 5 days before the course start date: No refunds are available. Summer Programs 91 or more days prior to session start date: Refundable, minus credit card processing fees and a $250 deposit. 61–90 days prior to session start date: Refundable, minus credit card processing fees and 50% of full tuition. 0–60 days prior to session start date: Non-refundable. The Pulse (Virtual Continuing Education Program) - No refunds are available for this program. Participant Requirements for small boat tours- The maximum weight limit for each participant is 250 pounds.

Contact Details

  • 2201 Skyline Way, Anacortes, WA, USA

    (360)-230-8018

    info@thesalishseaschool.org

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