Education

Connecting guests to the Salish Sea starts with education – a value we care deeply about. Our passionate and knowledgeable naturalists provide science-based information to our guests, whether those guests are 7 or 70 years old. Whales don’t live in isolation, they are part of the interconnected ecosystem we all share. We work hard to inform and inspire our guests so that when they leave our boats, they have a sense of what an astounding miracle our world is, and how humans and whales (and other wildlife!) fit within it.

“Floating Classroom” Education Tours

Embark on an educational adventure on our “Floating Classroom” – a unique whale watching experience perfect for school groups. Our experience brings learning to life, allowing students to witness majestic whales in their natural habitat. Our expert naturalists provide presentations on wildlife and marine ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of conservation. This hands-on approach to education fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of marine biology and environmental stewardship.

Education Group Special: We are pleased to offer a 25% discount to school groups joining tours in April – June, as well as October – December. Contact us to learn more.

We are honored to partner with the following like-minded organizations, who are working day-in and day-out to improve our ecosystem and educate all of us how the various denizens of the Salish Sea can survive and thrive.

Long Live the Kings

Since its founding in 1986, Long Live the Kings has worked to restore wild salmon and steelhead and to support sustainable fishing. Their programs―combining on-the-ground fieldwork with scientific innovation and broad partnerships―help decision-makers advance salmon recovery while balancing the needs of fish and people.

They are implementing solutions to rebuild salmon and steelhead populations in Hood Canal and Puget Sound, unraveling the mystery of low salmon survival in the Salish Sea, advancing science and retooling management throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Learn more and support their work.

Orca Network

Orca Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the whales of the Pacific Northwest, and the importance of providing them healthy and safe habitats. A community is emerging that is increasingly attuned to the orca population, that cares about and tries to understand the needs of the Resident and Transient orcas that inhabit the Salish Sea.

Learn more and support their work.

Orca Behavior Institute

Orca Behavior Institute is a non-profit organization with a mission to conduct non-invasive behavioral and acoustic research on the killer whales of the Salish Sea and beyond. During certain times of year the Southern resident orcas have become more scarce than in years past. Simultaneously, Biggs killer whale encounters have been on the rise. What are the reasons for this, and now that transients are here more often, how are they using and sharing the habitat of the Salish Sea? OBI not only tracks Southern Resident killer whales, but the presence and absence of Biggs orcas, as well, with the hopes of gaining some insight into these and other questions.

Learn more and support their work.

Port Townsend Marine Science Center

The Port Townsend Marine Science Center (PTMSC) is a 25-year old educational organization offering exciting, field-based experiences to students of all ages. Dedicated professional educators, assisted by interns and trained volunteers, share their passion and knowledge of the marine environment through classes, beach investigations, organized tours, residential programs, teacher workshops and summer camps.

PTMSC is located on Admiralty Inlet at the confluence of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound. Sandy beaches border the PTMSC’s two historic buildings on the grounds of Fort Worden State Park. Short walks take students to rocky beaches, glacial bluffs, a brackish lagoon or a freshwater pond.

Learn more and support their work.

Center for Whale Research

The Center for Whale Research (CWR) is dedicated to the study and conservation of the Southern Resident killer whale (orca) population in the Pacific Northwest.

Every year for over four decades, CWR has collected detailed demographic data on the Southern Resident killer whale population, recording all observed births and deaths. They have also gathered detailed information on the behavior and ecology of these animals, including information on where the animals are in geographic location and time, and their social behavior and foraging patterns. This dataset has provided ground-breaking insight into killer whale biology and ecology that helps inform management decisions to conserve this vulnerable and now endangered population.

Learn more and support their work.

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