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 getting out on the water to experience the sights, sounds - and yes, even smells - firsthand.

The PWWA’s emphasis on education stems from our sense of duty to our shared waters and the wildlife that call them home. 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 in-person wildlife experiences is the most effective way to inspire conservation action among our guests.

Experts on the Water

The majority of our PWWA captains, naturalists, and crew members have degrees in marine biology, environmental science, or other related fields, and an impressive 98% of PWWA guides participate in ongoing professional development, attending lectures, workshops, and conferences to stay current on marine research. Many of our members have worked on whale watch vessels for 10, 20, even 30 years or more. Their passion, knowledge, and experience are second to none.

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 reading delivering canned lines or reading from a script. We adapt our dialogue to each encounter and no two tours will ever be the same.

More Than Just 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 baitfish, plankton to puffins, you never know what new facts you’ll take home with you when you disembark after your PWWA tour. Don’t forget to ask your guide lots of questions - that’s one of our favorite parts of the job!