Whale and Wildlife Education and Conservation in the San Juan Islands
Seeing whales and wildlife in their natural environment is a peak experience that we passionately share with our passengers. Fostering a love of the Salish Sea ecosystem and its inhabitants by immersing people in their surroundings and providing education is a fundamental component of each trip on the water.
As part of your whale watching and wildlife tour, our marine naturalist educators and captains provide information about the lives of endangered Southern Resident orcas, Bigg’s killer whales, Humpback and other baleen whales, wildlife, habitat, history, culture, and biology.
You’ll gain an understanding of which populations are thriving (and why), which populations need our help, and the challenges faced by the endangered Southern Resident orca population. Through our interactive and immersive educational tours, we aim to inspire many of our guests to join us in engaging in specific conservation efforts for whales and other wildlife.
We also serve as further resources for you beyond your time with us on the water. We like to stay in touch and help you stay involved.
Conservation Leadership
Our efforts expand beyond educating and inspiring others to get involved. As a company that is passionate about the whales and wildlife, we take a leadership role in conservation efforts on the local, state and national level.
Orca Advocacy
We advocate on behalf of the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales, the enhancement of salmon stocks, their habitat and the preservation of the entire Salish Sea ecosystem. Captain Jeff has visited Washington DC and Olympia, WA to brief national and state senators, representatives and congressional staff on the current status of Southern Resident Killer Whales and critical conservation issues they face.
We participate in research by providing data from our tours to whale research organizations. And Captain Sara is a research assistant and board member of Orca Behavior Institute, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that conducts non-invasive behavioral and acoustic research on the killer whales of the Salish Sea.
Orca Task Force
We work directly with policymakers to help the endangered Southern Resident orca population. When he served as president of the Pacific Whale Watch Association, Captain Jeff was a member of Washington State Governor Inslee’s Orca Task Force, helping to create and shape policy recommendations to help recover the Southern Residents and the Chinook salmon they depend on.
Salmon Population Restoration
We participate on the ground with local efforts to restore critical salmon habitat, volunteer with conservation groups and participate in community events throughout the year.
The San Juan Islands & Beyond
Our conservation work extends beyond the Salish Sea and its marine inhabitants. Some examples: Captain Daven has worked on wild salmon projects in Alaska and marine naturalist Zoey works with raptor research and education in the Americas. Kimi works weekly with our local wildlife rehabilitation center.
Volunteering Our Vessels
We help conservation and research organizations by sponsoring fundraisers, and donating our vessels and services throughout the year.
Supporting Conservation & Research
We support a variety of conservation and research organizations, as well as causes within our local community. Our support includes financial contributions on your behalf by donating a portion of every seat sold, donations made by individuals within our company, as well as involvement and service working with organizations on a variety of projects.
Conservation Organizations We Support
- Center for Whale Research
- Orcalab
- Orca Behavior Institute
- Orca Conservancy
- Orca Network
- Whale Scout
- Bay Cetology
- Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group
Responsible Whale Watching & Wildlife Viewing
As a company steeped in conservation values, we are committed to operating ethically around marine mammals & in our waters with the lightest footprint possible. In addition to federal and state marine mammal protection regulations, as a member of the Pacific Whale Watch Association, we adhere to the most progressive, science-based whale watching guidelines on the planet.
In addition to providing an educational and conservation minded experience, we also serve as role models for recreational and other boaters on the water for best practices around whales and wildlife. We work closely with Department of Fish and Wildlife enforcement officers, as well as the Soundwatch Boater Education program to help encourage other boaters to operate respectfully in the presence of whales.
