"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.
Puffin Discovery Ecotour
Join an adventure with purpose!
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! Each trip will be 2-3 hours and will offer something different. Depending on the day, conditions, and wildlife activity, we may encounter harbor seals, sea lions, harbor porpoise, marine birds, whales, and more. We take time to slow down and truly observe. That might mean quietly watching seals on a haul-out, studying bird behavior along a shoreline, or pausing near bait balls and current lines to understand the ecosystem in action. We may explore drifting bull kelp forests, or even collect plankton underway and bring it under microscopes to reveal the hidden life beneath the surface. With onboard specimens, tools, and expert guidance, each sighting becomes an opportunity to learn—exploring the behavior, biology, and interconnectedness of the Salish Sea. The experience is shaped by what the sea reveals that day. Your ticket helps fund our mission to connect students and the community with local marine habitats, sparking conservation action through hands-on experiences and awe-inspiring education.
Upcoming Sessions
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: While Tufted Puffin sightings are the goal, they are never guaranteed. Wildlife is wild, and every Salish Sea adventure is unique. The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority. Conditions on the water can change rapidly, and marine forecasts are not always accurate. Our captains continuously monitor current weather conditions, sea state, forecasts, and local observations to ensure the safest and most enjoyable experience possible. For the safety and comfort of our participants, the captain may alter the route, destination, itinerary, duration, or activities of any excursion due to wind, weather, sea state, wildlife considerations, or other conditions. If Smith Island is not safely accessible, the trip will continue as a wildlife excursion in more protected waters. Refunds will not be issued due to itinerary changes or the absence of Tufted Puffin sightings. When possible, guests will be notified of a weather-related cancellation as early as possible. However, because conditions can change quickly, weather decisions may occasionally need to be made on the day of departure. Any operational decisions made by the captain are final. If we are unable to safely operate an excursion, guests will be offered the option to reschedule or receive a full refund. Staff who assist with rescheduling do not work weekends. If a trip is canceled over a weekend, we will contact you on the next business day.
Contact Details
2201 Skyline Way, Anacortes, WA, USA
(360)-230-8018
info@thesalishseaschool.org