Bird Migration & Puffin Cruises
In partnership with the Port Townsend Marine Science Center & the Dungeness River Center.
Upcoming Tours
See below for specific departure times.
2025 Spring Bird Migration Cruises
April: 6, 12, 19
2025 Puffin Cruises
June: 7, 14, 21, 28 | July: 5, 12, 19, 26
August: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | September: 6, 13
2025 Fall Bird Migration Cruises
October: 4, 18
DURATION
2-3 hours, depending on vessel.
Migration cruises are scheduled in the spring and fall; puffin tours are in the summer.
Trip Fares
Adult: $105 ($85 age 2-10)
Become a PTMSC member to save on this cruise!
Departure Times
We’re excited to offer trips on two of our Port Townsend-based vessels: Red Head – which seats 40, and Saratoga – which seats 120. Learn more about these vessels.
2025 Puffin Tours
June 7: 3-5pm (Reserve)
June 14: 3-5pm (Reserve)
June 21: 3-5pm (Reserve)
June 28: 6-9pm (Reserve)
July 5: 6-9pm (Reserve)
July 12: 6-9pm (Reserve)
July 19: 6-9pm (Reserve)
July 26: 6-9pm (Reserve)
August 2: 6-9pm (Reserve)
August 9: 6-9pm (Reserve)
August 16: 6-9pm (Reserve)
August 23: 6-9pm (Reserve)
August 30: 6-9pm (Reserve)
September 6: 3-5pm (Reserve)
September 13: 3-5pm (Reserve)
Our Itinerary
Whether you are a “lister” or an explorer, the marine environment near Port Townsend offers tremendous bird watching opportunities. Puget Sound Express offers the Pacific Northwest’s only bird watching tours dedicated to getting you out to see marine birds.
Just outside of Port Townsend are two iconic National Wildlife Refuges — Protection Island and Smith Island. Nearly 70 percent of the nesting seabird population of Puget Sound and the Straits nest there, including one of the largest nesting colonies of rhinoceros auklets in the world, as well as the largest nesting colony of glaucous-winged gulls in Washington. Protection Island contains one of the last 2 nesting colonies of tufted puffins in the Puget Sound area. About 1,000 harbor seals depend upon the island for a pupping and rest area. A special treat each summer is a chance to view tufted puffins. In recent years more puffins have been returning to Smith Island so depending on the greater population the captain will ultimately determine which Refuge is best to visit for any particular tour.
Depending on the time of year, some of the more common species we see include California Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Heermann’s Gull, Rhinoceros Auklet, Double-crested Cormorant, Common Murre, Red-necked Grebe, Pigeon Guillemot, Brandt’s Cormorant, Pelagic Cormorant, Sanderling, Black Turnstone, Surf Scooter, Ring-billed Gull, Tufted Puffin, Caspian Tern, White-winged Scoter, Harlequin Duck, Black Oystercatcher, Brant, and Red-necked Phalarope.
However, we see many other types of species as well.
The Port Townsend Marine Science Center and the Dungeness River Center – in collaboration with Puget Sound Express – hosts dedicated bird watching expeditions to these special Refuges (one or the other per trip, depending on sightings). As every birder knows, no guarantee can be made that they will be sighted on every outing, but chances are very good that they will be spotted. Note that these cruises offer views of either Protection Island or Smith Island, depending on sightings and weather. Protection Island is a protected area, and the cruise remains at least 200 yards from shore.
Photo by David Gluckman
The Hanke Family
from our family to yours
Three generations of our family have helped visitors have life-changing experiences with some of the most majestic creatures on the planet. We’re blessed to live in what’s been called “the American Serengeti,” with some of the highest concentration of whales and dolphins and sea life anywhere in the world — including our totem species, the orca. Few people know these waters like we do. Welcome to the Salish Sea – enjoy!
Things to Know
CHANGES/CANCELLATIONS
Our cancellation policy is 48 hours prior to a tour’s departure time. A tour is confirmed when a confirmation email has been received OR payment has been processed. Prior to 48 hours from departure, any cancellation of a confirmed reservation is fully refundable, less a $10 processing fee. Inside of 48 hours to departure, reservations are non-refundable. This includes all tours booked online within 48 hours of departure.
RESCHEDULING
Outside of 48 hours from the tour, rescheduling can be made at any time. Inside of 48 hours to the tour, rescheduling can be requested and at the discretion of the office and upcoming availability to approve. If approved a $10/person change fee is charged to the booking.
Where do Port Townsend tours depart from?
227 Jackson Street, Port Townsend, WA
We are located in downtown Port Townsend at the Point Hudson marina.
Checking-in
Passengers must be checked-in no later than 30 minutes prior to sailing. Boarding closes 15 minutes before departure. If you are traveling from out of the area please bear in mind that ferries and bridge openings can make the trip slightly longer than map and GPS software might indicate!
PARKING
Our office is located in Point Hudson Marina. Throughout the Marina there are many paid and free parking lots available. The two closest lots to our office are paid lots with Half Day (5 hour maximum, $7.50) and Full Day ($12.00) rates available. One is next to our office and the next is one block down near the sign “Pine Tar Alley.”
For free parking OR if both of the lots above are full. Continue past our office, along the one way street to the first stop sign. Once at the stop sign continue straight, through the boat yard, and there will be another parking lot after the boat yard on your right. This lot is free up to 9 hours and then paid parking for longer hours or overnight parking, $10.00/day or night. This is the best parking lot to use for overnight or RV parking.
If you have any questions or need assistance with parking for the tour our office has “check-in” parking spaces next to our building. Any payments for parking are done on the day of your tour and on site through the park mobile parking app. Instructions and QR codes are posted in each lot and easy to use when you arrive. If you or your group have difficultly using the app, our office team can help at check in. We will need the make, model and license plate of your car. All rates are out of our control and subject to change through the Port of Port Townsend.
Latest News
April 2025 3-Day Birdwatching Cruise Trip Report
We are often asked: "What's it like on one of your 3-day cruises?" Great question! Our Director of Crew Operations and Safety Colleen Farrell served as naturalist onboard our April 7-9, 2025 3-Day Olympic Birdfest Birdwatching & Wildlife Cruise. Colleen is one of...
Email Newsletter
Get the latest updates on the whales we’re seeing as well as tour updates and announcements. We send 1-2 emails/month. We respect your time and privacy; we will never share your email.