San Juan Islands Birding Cruises

San Juan Birding Cruises depart from Anacortes, Washington

Small group cruises with time on land!

May – September

San Juan Islands Birding Cruises are professionally and safely lead by our local Naturalist-Guide and owner Stephanie, with over 30 years experience.

rhinocerus auklets

birding cruise vendovi island pigeon guillemots on the water

explore cypress vendovi islands guided hiking tours

vendovi island birding cruise boat charter

“Loved the diversity of cruising, birding and hiking. The small group size was nice.”

Carol, Whidbey Island

“The birding cruise is a spectacular experience for seabird observation. I loved how well coordinated Stephanie and the boat captain worked to give us every wildlife viewing opportunity!”

Rae, Bellingham

ANACORTES BIRDING CRUISE TO

VENDOVI ISLAND PRESERVE

Saturdays,  May 11, June 15 (full), September 14

(Rain-check days Saturdays, May 18, June 22, Sept 21)

8:30 am – 3 pm

$224 p/p

more details below

Activity level: EASY)

The 2-hr cruise, thru the sheltered waters of Fidalgo, Guemes and Cypress Islands, offers you the opportunity to see our year-round resident Alcids: Pigeon Guillemot, Rhinocerus Auklet and the highly endangered Marbled Murrelet. Other seabirds, sea ducks, shorebirds, raptors are seen as well.  And of course, we are always on the lookout for Orcas, porpoise, seals and river otters.

The 3-hour visit to Vendovi Island Preserve gives you plenty of time to continue birding on your own and explore the island’s forest, beaches and grassy meadows on its well-maintained 3-mi trail system.  Lookouts and beaches offer stunning vistas of the San Juan Islands, the Salish Sea, Mount Baker and the North Cascades for you to enjoy your picnic lunch.

Vendovi Island is located between Guemes and Lummi Islands and is owned by the San Juan Preservation Trust.

Check out the article written about this birding cruise in the Seattle Times!

Gift this Adventure

San Juan Islands Birding Cruises

DETAILS

Not included: lunch, taxes & fees, gratuity

What to bring: binoculars, camera, lunch, water, toilet paper/baggie, comfortable walking/tennis shoes and weather appropriate clothing.

Bathrooms: marina, boat, Vendovi Island (closed in September)

Donations encouraged: $5 p/p for SJPT accepted at Vendovi Island donation box

Group size: 25 Adventurers

FAQs: How do I get to your area? | Where can I stay? | Booking & Cancellation policy | Safety & Forms

ANACORTES PUFFIN CRUISE TO

SMITH ISLAND AQUATIC PRESERVE & JAMES ISLAND MARINE STATE PARK

Saturdays, July 13 and August 10

8:30 am – 3 pm

$289 p/p

more details below

Activity level: EASY

The 4-hr cruise, along the exposed waters of Fidalgo, Lopez and Whidbey Islands, offers you the unique opportunity to see some of the 30 pairs of Tufted puffins that nest on Smith Island April – September.  Other Alcids, seabirds, shorebirds and raptors are usually seen as well.  And of course, we’ll be on the lookout for Orca, porpoise, seals and river otters.

Smith and Minor Islands Aquatic Reserve is located off the western side of Whidbey Island in the exposed waters of the Salish Sea and are surrounded by the largest bull kelp bed in Washington State.  They were designated as an Aquatic Reserve in 2010, the largest in DNR’s reserve system.  There is no public access onto the island, so all the birding is done from the boat.

The 2-hr visit to James Island gives you plenty of time to enjoy your lunch on the beach or shaded picnic tables as well as short walks.  The views of Mount Baker, the North Cascades, the Olympic mountains, the Salish Sea and San Juan Islands are simply stunning!

Gift this Adventure

San Juan Islands Birding Cruises

DETAILS

Not included: lunch, taxes & fees, gratuity

What to bring: binoculars, camera, lunch, water, toilet paper/baggie, comfortable walking/tennis shoes and weather appropriate clothing.

Bathrooms: marina, boat, island

Group size: 25 Adventurers

FAQs: How do I get to your area? | Where can I stay? | Booking & Cancellation policy | Safety & Forms