The Salish Sea School & Discovery Center

The Salish Sea School & Discovery Center Explore the Wild with us! We have programs for ages 3 to 103 because it's never too late to go back to school! Explore and discover with us today! 🌊🦀🐋🦭🦑

Deepen your understanding of the sea and experience its beauty with our outdoor programs!

MERMAN LEADERBOARD UPDATE!We're in the homerun with only $2,200 left to go to reach our $15k goal by June 22nd!Things ar...
06/18/2026

MERMAN LEADERBOARD UPDATE!

We're in the homerun with only $2,200 left to go to reach our $15k goal by June 22nd!

Things are shaking up with Peter Haase ($2,584) coming in to dethrone Anacortes Yacht Club ($2,408)! Can the yacht club band together to claim back their title by June 22nd? We still have four wonderful merman who need your support to bring their numbers up from $0!

There's still a shot for any merman to secure a guaranteed spot in the calendar!

$1=$1 vote!

Vote now (link in IG Bio): https://secure.givelively.org/donate/the-salish-sea-school/mermen-of-anacortes-2027-calendar

Low tide, high vibes! 🌊 A huge thank you to everyone who joined our Curiosity Crew for this morning’s King Low Tide Walk...
06/16/2026

Low tide, high vibes! 🌊 A huge thank you to everyone who joined our Curiosity Crew for this morning’s King Low Tide Walk! From navigating the rocky shores to playing detective with our ID guides, we found some seriously cool intertidal treasures tucked away in the pools!

Be sure to join us for next month’s low tide walk! In the meantime, you can purchase your own marine life ID guides at the Discovery Center or our online store to prep for your next adventure!

Here's the link to sign up for our next low tide walk, we hope to see you there! https://www.thesalishseaschool.org/event-details/low-tide-walk-1

Here's the link to purchase your very own Intertidal Organism Guide!
https://thesalishseaschool.square.site/product/guide-intertidal-organisms/5MIPAZBORHQLZXHEW2ZM4VX3?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=true&q=false

Whether you’re looking for family fun or a relaxing evening on the water, there’s a spot saved for you in our community ...
06/15/2026

Whether you’re looking for family fun or a relaxing evening on the water, there’s a spot saved for you in our community this week! 💙

Here’s the schedule:

-Marbeled Murrelet Survey (FREE) Help survey these elusive birds at Greenpoint, Anacortes - Sat 6/20 (12pm–2pm)

-Puffin Discovery Ecotour See Tufted Puffins at Smith & Minor Islands! Every ticket supports marine education. - Wed 6/17 & Sat 6/20 (4pm–7pm)

-The Salish Sea Coffee Club (FREE) Bring a mug to The Discovery Center and learn about Gray Whales with Naturalist Zackery Woods. - Sat 6/20 (10am–11am)

-Sea Science Saturday (FREE) Family fun at The Discovery Center! Explore intertidal critters, identify Orcas, and make a jellyfish craft. - Sat 6/20 (9:30am–3:30pm)

🔗 Head to the link in our bio to book ecotour tickets or find event locations! Which one are you attending?

MarineConservation

FUN FACT FRIDAY: The Shapeshifting Rainbows of the Salish Sea! 🌈 Meet the Rainbow Nudibranch (Dendronotus iris)! Don’t l...
06/13/2026

FUN FACT FRIDAY: The Shapeshifting Rainbows of the Salish Sea! 🌈 Meet the Rainbow Nudibranch (Dendronotus iris)! Don’t let the snowy look of the individual fool you—these local sea slugs can also be brilliant orange, deep red, or dusty pink, always identifiable by the frilly, tree-like gills lining their backs.

When it comes to romance, these invertebrates completely break the binary! Every single individual possesses fully functional male and female reproductive organs at the same time.

When two rainbow nudibranchs meet, there is no dividing into traditional roles. Instead, they engage in a mutual exchange where both fertilize each other simultaneously. While most nudibranchs reproduce this way, there are a few exceptions—but for this species, once courtship is over, both partners walk away ready to lay their own stunning, spiral-shaped egg ribbons! It’s a perfectly equal partnership proving that nature’s version of love comes in every imaginable form.

If you are heading out to explore the shoreline during this weekend’s king low tides, please tread lightly and be extra careful where you step so we can keep these incredible intertidal creatures safe!

Extended Range Whale & Wildlife Expedition - ONLY TWO THIS YEAR! Join The Salish Sea School for an immersive five-hour m...
06/12/2026

Extended Range Whale & Wildlife Expedition - ONLY TWO THIS YEAR!

Join The Salish Sea School for an immersive five-hour marine adventure exploring the islands and waterways of the Salish Sea. Designed for curious naturalists, this extended-range expedition goes beyond a traditional whale watch, offering opportunities to learn about the ecology, wildlife, and conservation stories that make this region so remarkable.

As we travel through prime marine wildlife habitat, students will learn about the whale species that call these waters home while searching for orcas, humpback whales, gray whales, and other marine mammals. Along the way, we'll explore marine food webs, island ecosystems, seabird colonies, and the interconnected relationships that sustain life in the Salish Sea.

Depending on wildlife sightings, weather, and conditions, the day may include an island landing for exploration and discovery.

Possible sightings include:
• Orcas, humpback whales, gray whales, and minke whales
• Harbor porpoises
• Harbor seals and Steller sea lions
• Bald eagles, cormorants, rhinoceros auklets, and other seabirds
• Tufted Puffins (seasonally)

This small-group experience is limited to just six students, allowing for personalized instruction, meaningful discussions, and plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning and wildlife observation.

Session Dates
• June 26, 2026
• August 22, 2026

https://www.thesalishseaschool.org/whales-and-wildlife-ecotours

Help Protect the Salish Sea 💙Want to learn how to spot the invasive European Green Crab and protect our local beaches? J...
06/11/2026

Help Protect the Salish Sea 💙

Want to learn how to spot the invasive European Green Crab and protect our local beaches? Join The Salish Sea School for a hands-on afternoon of crab identification and beach surveying!

When: Saturday, June 13
Where: Seafarers Memorial Park
Who: Open to all ages! No experience necessary.

What We’ll Do:
-Learn the foolproof tricks to identify invasive green crabs.
-Find out how to report sightings to Washington Fish and Wildlife.
-Explore the beach and discover our amazing native shore crabs.

What to Bring: Weather-appropriate layers and shoes you don’t mind getting wet or muddy!

RSVP is highly encouraged! Secure your spot today to help keep our coast healthy. Link in bio!

PacificNorthwest

Your week of ocean adventure starts here! We have an incredible lineup of events coming up, and there’s a way for everyo...
06/09/2026

Your week of ocean adventure starts here! We have an incredible lineup of events coming up, and there’s a way for everyone to get involved, give back, and explore the Salish Sea:

Community Science: Join us for a hands-on crab molt survey to collect vital data for our local marine ecosystems.

Blue Mind Wellness Retreat: Escape to beautiful James Island for a day-retreat designed to nurture your well-being and inspire conservation.

Puffin Discovery Ecotour: Hop aboard for an adventure with purpose! Survey nesting Tufted Puffins and help fund local student field trips.

Sea Science Saturday: Bring the family to the Discovery Center to ID orcas, explore intertidal critters, and make a fun jellyfish craft.

Spaces are limited! Click the link in our bio to RSVP, grab your boat tickets, or learn more !!

)MERMAN LEADERBOARD UPDATEThe tides are shifting, and the race for Merman King 2027 is making waves.Currently holding th...
06/09/2026

)MERMAN LEADERBOARD UPDATE

The tides are shifting, and the race for Merman King 2027 is making waves.

Currently holding the crown is Anacortes Yacht Club with an impressive $2,382 raised, but Nick Eberling ($2,100) and Pete Haase ($2,077) are swimming close behind. One strong push from their supporters could change everything.

Meanwhile, Dave Norman, Brian Aurand, Aaron Esterholt, Bill Koch, Andrew Harper, Brett Larsen, David Nicholas, Jace Cherry, Triton Mahtlinnie, and Rhys Cherry are all competing for a coveted spot in the 2027 Mermen of Anacortes Calendar.

Remember: Every $1 donated = 1 vote.

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/the-salish-sea-school/mermen-of-anacortes-2027-calendar

Vote here! (link in bio for IG)

Still waiting to make a splash? Bonne-Vejou Dorrell, Doug Wilderman, and M. Good are patiently awaiting their first votes from the depths.

The best part? Every vote helps support The Salish Sea School's mission to connect people to the sea through education, research, and conservation.

So tell us...

Who will claim the crown?

Who will make the calendar?

And who will be crowned the next Merman King?

Cast your votes, rally your crews, and let the friendly maritime rivalry continue.

Did you know Tufted Puffins don't look the same all summer long?As the breeding season progresses, puffins gradually los...
06/08/2026

Did you know Tufted Puffins don't look the same all summer long?

As the breeding season progresses, puffins gradually lose their golden head plumes, bright white facial patches, and colorful bill plates, transitioning into their non-breeding plumage before heading back to life on the open ocean.

These remarkable changes help tell the story of where puffins are in their annual cycle—and every stage is fascinating to observe.

Want to see Washington's endangered Tufted Puffins for yourself? Join us this summer on a Puffin Discovery Tour and experience one of the Pacific Northwest's most charismatic seabirds while learning about the research and conservation efforts helping protect them.

📍 Limited spaces available. Learn more and reserve your spot today!

https://www.thesalishseaschool.org/puffin-discovery-ecotours

https://www.thesalishseaschool.org/puffin-photography-ecotours

Address

2201 Skyline Way
Anacortes, WA
98221

Telephone

(703) 477-7432

Website

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