Join us on a field trip you and your students will never forget!
Island Adventures is proud to offer a variety of on-the-water marine science field trips for students in Western Washington! Take your class out into the field where they will learn to engage their scientific minds while observing marine wildlife and participate in hands-on learning. Led by an experienced marine naturalist and skilled crew, venture out into the beautiful Salish Sea and be ready for a day of fun, excitement, and learning!
Choose a location, focus, and length, and select from a number of hands-on activities to find a field trip that best fits your needs!
Everett Spring Field Trips
Join us aboard the Island Explorer 4 this spring for a day of exploration and discovery! This floating classroom is 85’ long and 22’ wide, with a large heated cabin, two spacious bathrooms, full walk-around lower deck, and huge upper viewing deck.
From March through May, we will venture out into Possession Sound, an ecologically rich and geologically fascinating region of the Salish Sea. Prepare to think like a marine scientist as we engage in hands-on learning and seek out the diverse array of species that utilize this productive ecosystem.
Departing conveniently from the Port of Everett, we are an easy bus ride from surrounding Snohomish, King and Island counties.
Port Angeles Fall Field Trips
We invite you to join us as we venture out from Port Angeles Harbor for a day of interactive marine science! Home to a diverse cast of wildlife, and the gateway connecting the Salish Sea to the greater Pacific Ocean, this region is prime for ocean exploration. Prepare to think like a scientist as we engage in hands-on learning and observe the marine species that call the Pacific Northwest home.
Board the Island Explorer 4, our 85’ foot long floating classroom with a large heated cabin, two spacious bathrooms, full walk-around lower deck, and huge upper viewing deck.
The Island Explorer 4 is conveniently located at The Landing in Port Angeles, centrally located for schools on the Olympic Peninsula.
Bring the Salish Sea to Your Classroom!
Our experienced marine naturalists will bring the Salish Sea to your classroom!
We'll create a customized presentation to perfectly suit your curriculum during an in-class visit. We’ll teach your students about the wonders of the Salish Sea while encouraging them to ask questions and to think like a scientist.
Pricing: $250+tax
*Complimentary in-class visit included with all scheduled field trips.
Contact us to create your custom field trip!
Please call our main office at 360-293-2428 or email us at whales@islandadventurecruises.com to book your custom field trip.
Learn about the Pacific Northwest Wildlife
The Pacific Northwest is internationally recognized as one of the premiere whale watching destinations in the world. At Island Adventures, we provide our guests with the best year-round opportunity to see whales in the wild, but that’s just the beginning. Our goal is to share as much local wildlife, scenery, and history as possible on each and every tour.
Killer Whales
Icons of the Pacific Northwest
Killer whales, also known as orcas, are one of the most recognizable and beloved marine species on the planet. They hold a special cultural significance in the Pacific Northwest and we are fortunate to share our local waters with more than one type of killer whale.
Humpback Whales
Humpback whales have one of the longest migrations of any whale, feeding in cooler waters and giving birth to their calves in warmer climates. While humpback sightings in the Strait of Juan de Fuca were once a rare event, the "Humpback Comeback" of the last decade has allowed for numerous sightings of humpback whales throughout much of the year.
Minke Whales
Often when a bait ball forms, a minke whale isn’t too far away! Sometimes we see them lunge feed right through the middle, taking in all the bait fish and an occasional sea bird! Minke whales are among the most abundant and widely-distributed whales in the world, yet they remain largely a mystery due to their shy nature and fast speeds!
Gray Whales
Gray whales currently hold the record for the longest migration of any mammal. They are commonly seen from March through May around the south end of Whidbey Island and the Saratoga Passage area, but can sometimes be spotted in the Salish Sea in the summer months. Puget Sound is one of the few places on earth where people can actually witness gray whales feeding.
Pacific Northwest Wildlife
The waters surrounding our three departure locations offer some of the most diverse whale and wildlife viewing on the west coast. Onboard each of our tours, an experienced naturalist helps identify all of the whales, wildlife, and rich history that this area holds.