Group & Custom Tours
Group tours and custom tours are an outstanding way to build team spirit, celebrate important events or milestones, or bring the extended family together.
We are happy to welcome your group!
Group tours and custom tours are an outstanding way to build team spirit, celebrate important events or milestones, or bring the extended family together. From weddings, to parties, to product launches – we’ve probably done it all and have extensive experience crafting memorable experiences out on the water.
Pricing for group tours depends on whether you are joining us for a scheduled departure, or a custom charter. Note that the charter rates indicated below are for charters taking place outside our normal operating hours. Should you wish to arrange for a full boat custom charter during our normal operating hours, full boat rates apply.
“Thank you so much for the amazingly successful trip today! Not only did we avoid the rain and stay dry, but we even got a close encounter with two transient orcas that immediately cemented this trip as the greatest field trip ever for these students.”
All group tours/charters must be prearranged; please call us at 360-385-5288, or email info@pugetsoundexpress.com.
We offer three kinds of group tours – the first two involve you joining one of our pre-scheduled tours.
- Partial group tour, for groups traveling on scheduled departures.
- Full Boat tour, for groups traveling on scheduled departures.
- Full Boat custom charter – Field trips, sunset cruises, dinner cruises, etc.
Swiftsure: Edmonds departure; 145 passengers; $3500/hour
Saratoga: Port Townsend departure; 120 passengers; $2500/hour
Glacier Spirit: Port Angeles departure; 65 passengers; $1200/hour
Red Head: Port Townsend departure; 40 passengers; $900/hour
Charters and custom tours are subject to applicable service fees and taxes.
GROUP INQUIRY FORM
SWIFTSURE
Built in 2022, the 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. 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.
Saratoga
Built in 2018, the 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. In addition to a wrap-around viewing deck, restrooms, and galley, 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.
Glacier Spirit
The Glacier Spirit is considered by many in the Pacific Northwest, the most beautiful and relaxing boat in the whale watch fleet. Passengers love the comfortable inside seating, 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.
Red Head
The Red Head is the little sister of the Glacier Spirit. She seats 40 quite comfortably, but is faster than the Glacier Spirit making it well suited for our 4 hour tours. Red Head has inside seating for everyone, large windows, full walk around deck, two restrooms, and a hydrophone. She is 56ft long and has two large Lugger diesels allowing her to cruise quietly at over 19 knots.
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. Our experience and dedication makes it possible for us to guarantee that you’ll see whales on your trip — or we’ll give you another trip absolutely free.
Whale-wise Whale Watching
Puget Sound Express is a proud member of the Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA), dedicated to responsible, sustainable marine wildlife viewing and conservation in the Pacific Northwest. We’re also dedicated to reducing our footprint out there. The Saratoga and Chilkat Express are sound-proofed, hydrofoil jet boats with no propellers, making them the quietest vessels in the whale watch fleet.
Learn about our practices and our conservation partners.
Latest News
October Bigg’s Orca Superpod, plus Lunge-feeding Humpbacks
Autumn whale watching this year (2024) has been quite memorable, with great weather and great whales! On October 13, 2024, our Seattle (Edmonds), Port Townsend AND Port Angeles tours had a special encounter in the Strait of Juan de Fuca west of Victoria, BC. A Bigg's...
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.