Northwest Washington Travel Guide

Planning a trip to Northwest Washington? Discover the region’s most spectacular destinations, from the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival and North Cascades National Park to Mount Baker, Deception Pass, Anacortes, and the San Juan Islands. Explore local travel tips, scenic drives, hiking trails, seasonal highlights, wildlife, and hidden gems to help you make the most of your Pacific Northwest adventure.

Meet Stephanie Fernandez

Expert Naturalist & Northwest Washington Tour Guide with Over 30 Years of Experience

For more than 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of helping people connect with nature through unforgettable outdoor adventures. The most rewarding part of being a guide is watching guests experience the beauty of the natural world in a way that inspires, educates, and creates lasting memories.

Originally from Mexico City, I began my career as a marine biologist before following my passion as a professional naturalist and adventure guide. Since 1989, I’ve led guided hikes, wildlife tours, kayaking trips, snorkeling adventures, whale watching excursions, and expedition cruises across North America—from the coral reefs of the Florida Keys and the waters of Baja California to the glaciers of Southeast Alaska and the polar bear country of Churchill, Canada.

In 2016, I made Anacortes, Washington, my home and founded Skagit Guided Adventures to share the incredible landscapes of Northwest Washington with visitors from around the world. Every tour is designed to be educational, relaxing, and deeply connected to the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

I invite you to experience Skagit Valley, Mount Baker, the North Cascades, Deception Pass, and the San Juan Islands through the eyes of a local naturalist. I look forward to sharing this remarkable region with you.

Guiding Experience Includes

- Texas – Sea camps, kayaking, and birding tours
- Florida Keys – Coral reefs, mangroves, and marine ecology
- Yucatán Peninsula – Eco-tours and natural history
- Baja California – Birding, kayaking, snorkeling, and gray whale expeditions
- Hawaii – Whale watching and snorkeling tours
- Churchill, Canada – Polar bear and beluga whale expeditions
- Southeast Alaska – Expedition cruises, hiking, kayaking, wildlife, and whale watching
- Northwest Washington – Founder of Skagit Guided Adventures since 2016

Three Decades of Inspiring Outdoor Adventures

With more than 30 years of professional guiding experience, Stephanie has introduced over 2,500 guests to the breathtaking landscapes, wildlife, and natural history of Northwest Washington. Every tour is thoughtfully designed to create meaningful connections with nature and lasting memories.

Stephanie’s Professional Guiding Experience

Before founding Skagit Guided Adventures, Stephanie spent years working as an Expedition Leader, Naturalist, and Guide for some of the world’s most respected adventure travel and expedition cruise companies. Her experience leading travelers through remote landscapes around the globe brings a unique depth of knowledge and professionalism to every tour in Northwest Washington.

- Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic
- Road Scholars
- Natural Habitat
- Un-Cruise
- Cruise West
- Carnival Cruise Lines
- The Boat Company
- Pacific Whale Foundation
- Island Marine Institute
- Ecocolors Mexico
- MarineLab
- Atlantis Submarines

Education & Professional Credentials

Stephanie combines a lifelong passion for nature with decades of professional experience and formal education in marine biology, natural sciences, outdoor leadership, and wilderness safety.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Biology – Texas A&M University at Galveston
Master’s Degree in Marine Sciences – ITESM Guaymas, Mexico

Professional Qualifications

Northwest Washington Tour Guide
USCG 100-Ton Captain’s License
ACA Certified Kayak Instructor

Safety Certifications

Wilderness First Aid
First Aid & CPR
Open Water Scuba Certification
CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 117 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
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   Stephanie Chtata 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a great experience with Stephanie.  She showed us some hidden gems that we otherwise would not have found on our own in North Cascade NP.  She also recommended a whale watching and restaurant in Anacortes Washington which were both amazing.   I would recommend her as a tour guide for other wishing to tour North Cascades NP.
  
 
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   Heidi Buschang 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a wonderful tour of the Tulips. Stephanie was very supportive of my elderly parents' abilities (did so without being obvious) and our space (ideal amount of time on our own). She provided each of us with a bit of new and interesting information we took home to regale each other with as we relived the tour. Thank you Stephanie. :)
  
 
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   Wendy Fivash 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a fabulous tour, wonderfully fabulous, tour customized for our Senior Citizen needs. I am so thankful to Stephanie for guiding us through the town of Anacortes, the nature of Anacortes and some fun history facts.
Thank you Stephanie for an A-plus afternoon.
  
 
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   Zach Robinson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My best friend and I booked a fairly last minute tour with SGA and had a great time.  She had a well-planned and well-timed itinerary and was a great travel guide.  Highly recommended. :)
  
 
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   glee 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. From the online inquiries I made about the tours, Stephanie was exceptionally communicative, answering all my questions with enthusiasm and accommodating to the Amtrak schedule and my preferences.

What set this experience apart was the incredible depth of her knowledge. She provided fascinating insights into every aspect of the region, seamlessly weaving together history, geography, ecosystem, and life & culture.

The tour went far beyond the surface-level facts and offered a truly comprehensive and engaging exploration of the area. Stephanie was a genuine expert and a phenomenal guide.
  
 
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   Sarah Shepherd 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. From the moment I was warmly welcomed by Stephanie, I knew it was going to be a great day at Mount Baker! She truly has a gift for connecting both with people and with nature, and shares her wealth of knowledge of flora, fauna, and local places with an energy and enthusiasm that draws you in. Her love and care for these beautiful places is evident and feeling her joy at being there added to my own. As did the perfect weather!
I highly recommend both Skagit Guided Adventures and the Mount Baker tour. The multiple stops on this tour allow one to fully experience all the highlights and spectacular views along the Mount Baker Highway (and there are many!) As a local Washingtonian it was a fantastic way to see a variety of sights in the area without having to worry about the driving or parking challenges, and to be able to just enjoy the views from a comfortable seat with huge windows in the van. I will definitely be back for another adventure with Stephanie in the future.
  
 
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   Haruko Saito 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Enjoyed beautiful places with a
great guide .Stephanie
  
 
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   Colleen O'Connor 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I highly recommend Skagit Guided Adventures if you are interested in exploring and learning more about Skagit Valley.  We joined Stephanie on a birding expedition to Smith Island, and saw many birds (including tufted puffins).   Stephanie is an experienced, knowledgeable naturalist, and she is an excellent guide.
  
 
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   Mark PDX 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The five-star ratings are well-deserved. I took the Puffin Tour to Smith Island in July 2025, and it exceded all of my expectations. Stephanie is an expert guide who communicated about every detail before and during the tour. It was fun trip, and we had great views of several Puffins!
  
 
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   Sal Sorice 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our tour with Stephanie was wonderful! She was very knowledgeable about the sites we visited, and we enjoyed spending the day with her. Highly recommended!