The Salish SEa

The Salish Sea covers nearly 7,000 square miles (18,000 sq. km) of inland Washington and British Columbia. It includes the Strait of Georgia, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Puget Sound.

Named for the Coast Salish people who have called the region home since time immemorial, the term “Salish Sea” was coined by marine biologist Burt Webber in 1988 to give a single name to the area’s complex cross-boundary waterways. The term was formally adopted by the governments of Washington and British Columbia in 2009. While the name itself is relatively new, the Salish Sea is roughly 15,000 years old, carved by glaciers and filled with saltwater when those glaciers retreated.

For those visiting from from afar, the Salish Sea region is serviced by several major airports including Seattle, WA (SEA), Vancouver, BC (YVR), and Victoria, BC (YYJ).

BEAUTY & BIODIVERSITY

The cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Salish Sea are constantly moving and mixing with the tides, creating vibrant habitat for 37 species of mammals, 172 species of birds, 253 species of fish, 2 species of reptiles, and 3,000+ species of invertebrates (Gaydos & Pearson 2011).

In addition to its spectacular biodiversity, the Salish Sea is surrounded by breathtaking scenery featuring snow-capped mountains, evergreen coastlines, and islands covered in wildflowers. This region has long been considered one of the world’s leading whale watching destinations, and once you experience it, it’s easy to see why.

Year-Round Whale Watching

Unlike many whale watching destinations around the world where the viewing season is limited to just a few months, the Salish Sea is home to whales all year long. As seasons change, so too do the whales you’re most likely to encounter.

Most PWWA operators offer tours in spring, summer, and fall, but some offer tours year-round as weather conditions allow. Click here to learn more about the different whale species found throughout the Salish Sea and its neighboring waterways and the best times to see them.