Our Vessels

SWIFTSURE

Built in 2022, the Swiftsure was designed from first principles as a whale watching vessel. In addition to a wrap-around viewing deck, restrooms, and galley, Swiftsure seats 149 passengers and is equipped with 7 HDTVs and a premium sound system with speakers inside and out, for whale watching naturalist presentations. Swiftsure is a catamaran with 2 asymmetrical semi-planing hulls, and an articulated hydrofoil that allows the boat to efficiently travel at 35 knots (40mph). This propeller-less design, coupled with finely-tuned, wave-piercing bows, allows the boat to travel through both calm and rough water at speed, while keeping underwater noise to a minimum. All 4 Scania D16 engines have waterlift mufflers, and carbon fiber driveshafts to save weight, and state-of-the-art soundproofing to reduce noise. This vessel operates primarily out of our Edmonds location.

Saratoga

Built in 2018, Saratoga seats 120 passengers and is equipped with 7 HDTVs and a premium sound system with speakers inside and out, for whale watching naturalist presentations. It features a wrap-around viewing deck, restrooms, and galley. Saratoga is a catamaran with 2 asymmetrical semi-planing hulls, and an articulated hydrofoil that allows the boat to efficiently travel at 35 knots (40mph). This propeller-less design, coupled with finely-tuned, wave-piercing bows, allows the boat to travel through both calm and rough water at speed, while keeping underwater noise to a minimum. All 4 Scania D16 engines have waterlift mufflers, and carbon fiber driveshafts to save weight, and state of the art soundproofing to reduce noise. This vessel operates primarily out of our Port Townsend location.

Glacier Spirit

The Glacier Spirit is considered by many in the Pacific Northwest to be the most beautiful and relaxing boat in the whale watch fleet. Passengers love the comfortable inside seating (seats 60 in booth/table-style), and the large viewing windows. There is a snack bar, a full certified galley, two restrooms, and an outside viewing deck around the entire cabin. She is also equipped with fully modern navigation equipment and indoor and outdoor speakers. This vessel operates primarily out of our Port Angeles location.

Red Head

The Red Head is the little sister of the Glacier Spirit — she seats 40 quite comfortably, and is just a bit faster than the Glacier Spirit. Red Head has inside seating for everyone, large windows, a full walk-around deck, two restrooms, and a hydrophone. She is 56 feet long and has two large Cummins diesels, allowing her to cruise quietly at over 19 knots. This vessel operates primarily out of our Port Townsend location.

Chilkat Express

The Chilkat Express is a dual-hulled catamaran that was built in 2001. It features a tiered-viewing area in the front of the vessel for optimal whale viewing, as well as generous windows for indoor viewing. Chilkat Express has a galley serving snacks and blueberry buckle, as well as a restroom onboard. Thanks to 4 Caterpillar jets, Chilkat Express can cruise at 40 mph, making it one of the fastest passenger vessels on the West Coast.

Vessel Accessibility

Coast Guard requirements — including raised thresholds in all doorways — mean our vessel is not wheelchair accessible. That said, we’ve helped many guests with limited mobility enjoy the trip with their families.

Guests need either some mobility of their own or someone in their group who can assist or carry them aboard. We can bring a foldable wheelchair down to the dock, but from there the guest will need to walk up the boarding ramp or be assisted into the cabin. Once aboard, the cabin has windows throughout, and our captains work to position the boat so guests can view wildlife from their seats.

If someone in your party needs this kind of assistance, please contact the office ahead of time so we can arrange pre-boarding for your group.

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