ANACORTES PRIVATE FIELD GUIDE
Private Birding on the Salish Sea: Puffins, Eagles and the San Juan Silence
A private, guided bird-watching tour departing Anacortes aboard Spirit of Orca that focuses on the Salish Sea’s seabirds and offers on-board photography support.
Private Birding on the Salish Sea: Puffins, Eagles and the San Juan Silence.
Set out from Anacortes into the Salish Sea on a private party birding tour that zeroes in on the region’s extraordinary seabird life. Operated by Spirit of Orca, the trip visits waters around the San Juan Islands where guests routinely encounter species ranging from Tufted Puffins to Bald Eagles, with photography assistance and edited images delivered after the outing.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A Sea of Species
The Salish Sea hosts 172 seabird species; tours commonly encounter Tufted Puffins, Great Blue Herons, Bald Eagles, Rhinoceros Auklets, Pacific and Common Loons, and other regional species.
On-Board Framing and Edited Keepsakes
Many guests are photographers; the operator will help position lenses during sightings, will take pictures from the vessel as well, and will email the best edited photos after the tour.
Private Vessel, Open Water Views
This is a private party tour from the operator’s vessel, touring the Salish Sea and the San Juan Islands so your group can enjoy seabird viewing and the islands’ coastal vistas away from crowds.
What the day feels like
What the Day Feels Like
You and up to five companions climb aboard the operator’s vessel from Anacortes and cruise productive Salish Sea water. The pace is governed by sightings—skirting islands and feeding areas, pausing where birds congregate, and positioning the boat for photography—so that common and less common seabirds can be observed from the vessel.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour fits best.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Photography is common on these tours; guests who are photographers may bring their cameras and lenses. The operator will help position the vessel for shots and will email edited photos after the outing.
This is a private party tour for 1 to 6 people; bookings are for the whole private party rather than individual seats.
Tours operate on the Salish Sea with views of the San Juan Islands, running from the operator’s vessel based in the Anacortes area.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Is this a private tour?
Yes. The offering is a private party birding tour for your group only.
How many people can come on a private party?
The tour is for parties of 1 to 6 people.
Which bird species might we see?
Guests commonly see species such as Tufted Puffins, Great Blue Herons, Bald Eagles, Rhinoceros Auklets, Pacific and Common Loons, and others among the Salish Sea’s 172 seabird species.
Can we request specific birds to look for?
Yes. You may request particular birds and the operator will try to find them or otherwise follow whatever sightings present themselves.
Are photographs provided?
The operator takes photographs during the tour, edits the best images afterward, and will email those edited photos to guests.
Where does the tour operate from?
Tours run on the Salish Sea with views of the San Juan Islands and operate from the Anacortes area with Spirit of Orca.