Port Townsend Marine Science Center

06/03/2026

BioBlitz is almost here! 🦋

Let’s warm up your I.D. muscles! Can you name this brightly colored organism? Bonus points if you can name what it is hiding in. Drop your guesses in the comments. ⬇️

The Fort Worden Spring BioBlitz is a two-day, self-guided event. It begins when the park opens (6:30 a.m.) on June 6th and continues until the park closes (9:30 p.m.) on June 7th.

📲 Bring your camera or smart phone to take pictures of plants, fungi, and wildlife as you hike trails and beaches and explore historic gun batteries! Download the iNaturalist app or Seek app on your smart phone to upload pictures and observations directly to the Fort Worden BioBlitz project page.

On Sunday, June 7th from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. partners will host an interactive celebration of citizen science and stewardship! Stop by the park office for more information about how to get started. Then visit the Port Townsend Marine Science Center’s Museum for tips on documenting creatures and living things in the marine environment. Lastly, hike up Artillery Hill and stop by the State Parks’ booth for tips documenting forest creatures, plants, and fungi.

No registration necessary! This is a FREE event happening on a Discover Pass FREE weekend!

🌱 More info here: https://parks.wa.gov/FortWordenBioBlitz

06/02/2026

We’ll see you at Port Townsend Pride this Saturday, June 6, from 12-5 PM at Pope Marine Park!

There will be 70+ vendors, a boat parade, live drag, live music, a kid zone, and a sensory zone.

And come check out our booth - we will have interactive activities and educational displays for all ages.

🏳️‍🌈 Happy Pride!🏳️‍⚧️

05/29/2026

Raise a glass to the Salish Sea! 🍻

Scuttlebutt Taproom & Brewery and the Port Townsend Marine Science Center collaborated to create a Salish Sea–inspired beer that supports marine conservation and science education. Scuttlebutt, a family-owned brewery based in Everett, Washington, has long drawn inspiration from the Pacific Northwest, crafting beers that reflect the region’s character, landscapes, and sense of place.

You can now find Ebb & Flow Amber Ale at local taprooms: The Keg and I in Chimacum, Pourhouse in Port Townsend, and Taps at the Guardhouse in Fort Worden State Park.

Learn more here: https://ptmsc.org/introducing-ebb-and-flow-amber-ale/

👉 Post a photo of you enjoying Ebb & Flow and tag us!

05/28/2026

What lurks in the depths? 🦑

Join next month's book club discussion to find out! "The Brilliant Abyss: Exploring the Majestic Hidden Life of the Deep Ocean, and the Looming Threat That Imperils It" by Helen Scales.

The deep ocean and its inhabitants are some of the strangest and least documented on our planet. How do these animals survive under such intense pressure? How have they evolved to function in total darkness? From hydrothermal vents to whale falls, the deep ocean is an incredibly unique environment. Just as quickly as exploration began, so has exploitation. The more we discover about the abyss, the more we have to discuss how to protect it.

📖 Join the discussion!
When: Sunday, June 14 at 2 PM
Where: Mezzanine Aldrich’s (2nd floor), 940 Lawrence St, Port Townsend, WA 98368.

Food & Drinks: Grab a treat and a drink from Aldrich’s, then make your way upstairs.

Please RSVP and find a full book list here: https://ptmsc.org/dive-into-a-book/

Access titles in a way that is best suited for your personal comprehension and needs. Audio and E-books are welcome!

05/27/2026

Support the Port Townsend Marine Science Center at Bar Stool Bingo!

Wednesday, June 10
7-10 PM
The Hilltop Tavern
2510 W Sims Way, Port Townsend, WA

$1 per round, or $10 to play all 10 rounds.

All proceeds support PTMSC!

05/26/2026

Here comes the Western Flyer!

The Western Flyer is currently traveling north along the Pacific coast, returning to the Pacific Northwest waters where the vessel was built, worked, and later brought back to life.

Join the Port Townsend Marine Science Center and the Western Flyer Foundation for a special presentation about the historic fishing vessel Western Flyer with Sherry Flumerfelt, Executive Director of the Western Flyer Foundation, and Rials Christensen, PhD, Director of Education & Science.

This special presentation will include:
The remarkable story and restoration of the historic Western Flyer
Modern marine science and education programs aboard the vessel
Highlights from the vessel’s current Pacific Northwest expedition
Audience Q&A

Monday, June 1
4:30 - 6: 00
PTMSC Exhibit at Fort Worden State Park (502 Harbor Defense Way)

RSVP here: https://ptmsc.org/event/westernflyerjune1/

05/24/2026

BioBlitz with us at Fort Worden State Park on June 6 and 7! 🐞

The Fort Worden Spring BioBlitz is a two-day, self-guided event. It begins when the park opens (6:30 a.m.) on June 6th and continues until the park closes (9:30 p.m.) on June 7th.

📲 Bring your camera or smart phone to take pictures of plants, fungi, and wildlife as you hike trails and beaches and explore historic gun batteries! Download the iNaturalist app or Seek app on your smart phone to upload pictures and observations directly to the Fort Worden BioBlitz project page.

On Sunday, June 7th from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. partners will host an interactive celebration of citizen science and stewardship! Stop by the park office for more information about how to get started. Then visit the Port Townsend Marine Science Center’s Museum for tips on documenting creatures and living things in the marine environment. Lastly, hike up Artillery Hill and stop by the State Parks’ booth for tips documenting forest creatures, plants, and fungi.

No registration necessary! This is a FREE event happening on a Discover Pass FREE weekend! 🐙

🦭 More info here: https://parks.wa.gov/FortWordenBioBlitz

05/23/2026

Join the Port Townsend Marine Science Center and the Western Flyer Foundation for a special presentation about the historic fishing vessel Western Flyer with Sherry Flumerfelt, Executive Director of the Western Flyer Foundation, and Rials Christensen, PhD, Director of Education & Science.

Built in 1937 and made famous by John Steinbeck and marine biologist Ed Ricketts during their 1940 Gulf of California expedition, the Western Flyer now serves as a floating classroom and working research vessel, inspiring curiosity through the blending of science and the arts.

Monday, June 1
4:30 - 6: 00
PTMSC Exhibit at Fort Worden State Park (502 Harbor Defense Way)

More info and RSVP here: https://ptmsc.org/event/westernflyerjune1/

We hope to see you there!

Join the Port Townsend Marine Science Center and the Western Flyer Foundation for a special presentation about the historic fishing vessel Western Flyer with Sherry Flumerfelt, Executive Director of the Western Flyer Foundation, and Rials Christensen, PhD, Director of Education & Science.

05/19/2026

The Port Townsend Marine Science Center team was thrilled to join our partners at Puget Sound Express earlier this month for a whale watching tour in the Salish Sea. We boarded the Saratoga at Point Hudson and headed north at about 40 knots per hour. What a rush!

On our journey, we got to see an elusive tufted puffin, talkative sea lions, and had a close encounter with Scuttle the humpback whale. The sun came out, and so did the cameras every time the naturalist pointed out something new. At times, the entire deck went silent, and nothing but the sound of water lapping at the hull and the blow of a whale in the distance could be heard.

It was a magical time on the water and a great opportunity to meet our human and non-human neighbors. 🐋

The Port Townsend Marine Science Center and Puget Sound Express have worked together to offer seasonal birdwatching cruises around Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge and Smith Island since 1994, providing a view to the changing community of birds and mammals using the sanctuary.

We are so glad to continue this partnership in 2026, offering hundreds of guests the opportunity to see birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat.

If you want to join a birdwatching cruise, check out all the dates and register here: https://www.pugetsoundexpress.com/bird-migration-puffin-cruises/

📸 Whale photos by Brian Kay.

05/17/2026

We will be closed tomorrow, Monday, May 18 for an education program. Thank you for understanding and please visit us again! You can also visit our store downtown at 1001 Water St. or check out the Whale on the Wharf.