Skagit Birding Eco Tour

Skagit (SKAD-jit) is the name of a group of Coast Salish Peoples who once thrived in northwestern Washington. In Skagit County, the Skagit River runs through Skagit Valley emptying its waters into Skagit Bay.  It stretches from the Salish Sea & San Juan Islands, through Skagit Valley, to the North Cascades.

Yes. Our adventures are designed to accommodate a wide range of abilities. Most tours feature a relaxed pace, frequent stops, and flexible itineraries so guests can comfortably enjoy the scenery and wildlife. Specific activity levels are listed on each tour page.

1. Very professional, knowledgeable and fun guide, Stephanie, with over 30 years experience
2. Very personalized attention on your very small group tour (5 max)
3. Tours go with only one Adventurer at no extra cost
4. Intimate connection with nature
5. Minimal impact on the environment & wildlife
6. Satisfaction guaranteed!

All Adventures begin in Skagit, about 1.5 hrs north of Seattle.  Pickup areas include Anacortes, La Conner, Mount Vernon and Burlington for all tours except the birding cruises.  Following are all the different options to get to our area.

Driving from Seattle to Anacortes: I5 – Exit 230 – SR20 West – Anacortes.

Driving from Seattle to Mount Vernon Amtrak station: I5 – Exit 226.

Public transportation options from Seattle, Vancouver, Bellingham or the San Juan Islands to Mount Vernon, Burlington or Anacortes:

Amtrak Cascades train/bus reservations to Mount Vernon Amtrak station from Seattle and Bellingham

Airporter Shuttle to Burlington or Anacortes

Greyhound to the Mount Vernon Amtrak station

Ferry to Anacortes

Sound Transit Express Routes 510 or 512 from Seattle to Everett connecting with Skagit Transit to the Mount Vernon Amtrak station

Skagit Transit Route 90X to Mount Vernon Amtrak station from/to Everett

Skagit Transit Route 80X to Mount Vernon Amtrak station from/to Bellingham

RISK OF DELAY: A risk of delay when taking public transportation (bus, train or ferry)  could result in shortening the time of your Adventure.  Our guide will make an effort to compensate for your delay without compromising the time frame for other parties attending the same Adventure.

Skagit Guided Adventures reserves the right to update these policies at any time without prior notice.

Cancellation Protection

We highly recommend adding Cancellation Protection during checkout. It allows you to cancel your tour up to 24 hours before your scheduled departure without paying a cancellation fee.

Guests who decline Cancellation Protection are subject to the cancellation policy below.

Guest Cancellations & Rescheduling

All cancellations or rescheduled tours are subject to a $23 per person processing fee.

Refunds are based on when you cancel:

• 8 or more days before your tour: 100% refund, less the $23 per person processing fee.
• 3–7 days before your tour: 50% refund, less the $23 per person processing fee.
• Within 48 hours or no-show: No refund.

Rescheduling is subject to availability and any applicable price differences.

If We Cancel Your Tour

If Skagit Guided Adventures cancels your tour, you’ll have the option to:

• Reschedule your adventure
• Receive a full refund
• Transfer your booking as a gift to someone else (valid for one year)

If an extraordinary event beyond our control (such as severe weather, wildfire closures, natural disasters, government restrictions, or other force majeure events) affects your tour, the standard $23 per person processing fee may still apply.

Tour Changes

Your safety is our highest priority. Skagit Guided Adventures reserves the right to modify routes, substitute destinations, shorten an itinerary, or end a tour if weather, trail conditions, road closures, or other unforeseen circumstances make it necessary for the safety of the group.

Every tour is more than sightseeing—it’s an opportunity to discover the fascinating stories behind Northwest Washington’s landscapes, wildlife, and communities. Depending on your tour, topics may include:

• Natural and cultural history
• Geology and mountain formation
• Glaciers and glaciology
• Temperate rainforest ecology
• Marine and terrestrial ecosystems
• Native plants, trees, and wildflowers
• Wildlife and birdlife of the Pacific Northwest
• The Skagit River, Salish Sea, and local watersheds
• Farming, fishing, forestry, and shipbuilding industries
• Indigenous history and the region’s changing way of life
• The people, traditions, and communities that have shaped Northwest Washington

In general, weather in Northwest Washington can vary by season:

• Spring: 40s to 50s with intermittent rain and wind
• Summer: 60s to 80s with little to occasional rain
• Fall: 40s to 50s with intermittent rain and possible snow at higher elevations
• Winter: 30s to 40s, with occasional colder days, rain, wind, and possible low-elevation snow

For the most accurate forecast, please call or email us before your adventure so we can share current conditions for your tour area.

A clean, comfortable and spacious Toyota minivan.

A Very Small group, of up to 5- 6 Adventurers, gives you a more intimate connection with nature, a more personalized service from your Adventure Guide, flexibility to modify the itinerary to accommodate your particular interests, and minimizes your impact on the environment.

STEPHANIE FERNANDEZ – over 30 years experience safely guiding gentle Adventures in Nature.  Read more about her.

We recommend bringing the following items to help you enjoy your adventure:

• Water bottle
• Snacks or a packed lunch (depending on your tour)
• Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
• Small backpack
• Moisture-wicking layers and weather-appropriate clothing (avoid cotton and jeans for hikes)
• Rain jacket and rain pants during wetter months
• Sunscreen
• Natural insect repellent
• Signed liability waiver
• Medical insurance card
• Cell phone
• Camera
• Sunglasses
• Binoculars (recommended for birdwatching tours)
• Passport (required for international visitors)

Free pick-up & drop-off locations: Anacortes, La Conner, Burlington and Mount Vernon.

Recommended accommodations in

Anacortes: Orchard Studio (AirBnB), Majestic Inn & Spa, Sunrise Inn, Salish Inn, Ship Harbor Inn, Swinomish Casino & Lodge

La Conner: The Heron Inn, Wild Iris Inn, La Conner Channel Lodge & Country Inn

Burlington: La Quinta Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Candlewood Suites, Hampton Inn & Suites (discounted rate)

Mount Vernon: Town & Country Motorcoach & RV Resort