"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 Photography Ecotour - Small Grp
Join our 4-hour photography oriented small group expeditions to Smith Island!
Available spots
Service Description
Join us for an exclusive photography oriented small group expedition to Smith and Minor Islands, where just 4-6 participants will spend four hours on our Salish Sea School vessel exploring popular seabird and marine mammal hotspots for photographing Tufted Puffins of the Salish Sea. Our low to the water vessel and experienced captains allow for optimal wildlife photography and viewing. 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 April-June, 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! Additional photo-op stops may include a scenic pass under Deception Pass Bridge, seabird and shorebird hotspots (such as Williamson Rocks, Bird Rocks, and Hein Bank), as well as marine mammal hotpots (such as Whale Rocks and Rosario Head). 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 that 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 directly to our Tufted Puffin diet research database!
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: 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