Bird Migration & Puffin Cruises

In partnership with the Port Townsend Marine Science Center

 

2024 Tours

See below for specific departure times.

Spring Bird Migration Cruises
April: 6, 13, 20
Puffin Cruises
June: 1, 8, 22, 29  |  July: 6, 13, 20, 27
August: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31  |  September: 7, 14
Fall Bird Migration Cruises
October: 5, 19  |  November: 2, 16, 30
December: 14, 28

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: $95 ($75 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.

Spring Migration Tours

April 6: 1-4pm (Reserve)
April 13: 1-4pm (Reserve)
April 20: 1-4pm (Reserve)

Puffin Tours

June 1: 3-5pm (Reserve)
June 8: 3-5pm (Reserve)
June 22: 3-5pm (Reserve)
June 29: 7:30-9:30pm (Reserve)
July 6: 7:30-9:30pm (Reserve)
July 13: 6-9pm (Reserve)
July 20: 6-9pm (Reserve)
July 27: 6-9pm (Reserve)
August 3: 6-9pm (Reserve)
August 10: 6-9pm (Reserve)
August 17: 6-9pm (Reserve)
August 24: 6-9pm (Reserve)
August 31: 6-9pm (Reserve)
September 7: 3-5pm (Reserve)
September 14: 3-5pm (Reserve)

Fall Migration Tours

October 5: 1-4pm (Reserve)
October 19: 1-4pm (Reserve)
November 2: 1-4pm (Reserve)
November 16: 1-4pm (Reserve)
November 30: 1-4pm (Reserve)
December 14: 1-4pm (Reserve)
December 28: 1-4pm (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 – 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.

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

Limited parking is available next to our office in a paid lot. It is $10/day and there is a cash box (old school) at the entrance to the parking lot. Park in a numbered spot and put your cash in the number you parked at for the day. The spot is available all day and night so feel free to leave your car there after the tour to go shopping or out to lunch/dinner. There are only 11 of these spots available, so these fill up fast.

A free parking lot is available 2.5 blocks north of our office. As you drive by the office, feel free to pull over, let families, children or elderly out to wait while the driver parks the vehicle. They can also check in while the driver is parking. Continue past our office to the first STOP sign. Go STRAIGHT on the road and continue past all the vessels hauled out until you reach pavement again. At that point look for a Puget Sound Express parking sign or “event parking” on your right. Park anywhere in that lot that is not previously reserved.

Health & Safety Updates

Beginning March 12, 2022, masks are optional onboard PSE vessels.