An Emphasis on Education

Pacific Whale Watch Association members take pride in providing wildlife encounters that are both fun and educational. Our vessels aren’t just tour boats, they’re floating classrooms with expert captains, naturalists, and crew members serving as teachers. It’s one thing to read about marine life in a book or see it on television, but nothing compares to experiencing the sights, sounds - and yes, even smells - firsthand.

The more people know about something, the more they care about it, and the more they care, the more they’ll fight to protect it. The PWWA firmly believes that providing educational in-person wildlife experiences is the most effective way to inspire conservation action among our guests.

Experts on the Water

PWWA captains, naturalists, and crew members are among the most experienced and passionate professional whale watchers in the world. The majority of them have degrees in marine biology, environmental science, or other related fields. An impressive 98% of PWWA guides participate in ongoing professional development, attending lectures, workshops, and conferences to stay current on marine research. Many even participate in marine research of their own!

The first-hand knowledge of our crew members is second to known. Many have worked on whale watch vessels for 10, 20, even 30 years or more not just in the Salish Sea, but all around the world.

More Than Whales

A tour with a Pacific Whale Watch Association operator will encompass so much more than whales. In addition to teaching about the killer whales, humpbacks, minkes, and gray whales of the Salish Sea, PWWA guides are trained to highlight all the diverse wildlife and rich natural history of the Pacific Northwest.

From bull kelp to bait fish, plankton to puffins, you never know what new facts you’ll take home with you when you disembark after your PWWA tour.

Interactive Learning

Learning doesn’t have to be boring. Our PWWA guides are skilled at delivering information in a fun, interactive, and engaging way. You won’t find our crews delivering canned lines or reading from a script. We adapt our dialogue to each encounter, and no two tours will ever be the same.

Don’t forget to ask your guide lots of questions - that’s one of our favorite parts of the job!