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Explore the beautiful San Juan Islands

Salish Sea & San Juan Islands Adventure

Example 6 Day Cruise aboard Wilderness Discoverer
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Embark on an incredible 6-da small ship cruise across the San Juan archipelago. Discover the wonders of the Salish Sea while making your way from Seattle to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and back! Transit the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and cruise Lakes Union and Washington. Enjoy unique birding opportunities and see eagles, seabirds, and migrating flocks. Join the educational presentations by your expert expedition team.
Seattle SkylineThe quiet green forests of the Pacific NorthwestBreathtaking San Juan IslandsA pod of Orcas alongside the shipExplore the beautiful San Juan Islands
Highlights
  • Explore the Salish Sea’s San Juan archipelago
  • Hike across incredible rainforest, old-growth forest, and state parks
  • Kayak, paddle board, and skiff in island channels formed by glaciers
  • Watch for whales, orcas, seals, and sea lions
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Seattle, Washington | Embark

In a region renowned as a boaters’ paradise, your discovery begins from Fishermen’s Terminal. Set sail via the ship canal to Lakes Union and Washington—their glacially-formed basins dug more than 12,000 years ago. After dinner, a sunset cruise through the historic Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and into Elliott Bay sets you right for the night. Seattle was founded along these shores and you don’t want to miss the skyline!

Day 2: South Puget Sound

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Mudflats, watersheds, and a microclimate feed the riches of the South Sound. Explore the intertidal zone by kicking in the mud with your guides looking for anemone and hermit crabs. Kayaking, hiking, and skiff rides are on tap, too—in one of the regions many state parks. At about 100 miles long, Puget Sound offers ample opportunity for observing the serpentined shore as you cruise through Tacoma Narrows and past Point Defiance, Vashon Island, and Bremerton. Cap off your first full day of play watching for Dall’s Porpoise, with a front-row view from the bow.

Day 3: San Juan Islands

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Wake up surrounded by the wilds of the Salish Sea, a humbling 360 degrees of wilderness. It’s the captain’s choice where you’ll land today, but rest assured, you’ll be away from the crowds. There are unending options for investigating this sea-salty playground. If you’re kayaking, keep your eyes peeled above and below the surface. Rocky outcroppings play host to harbor seals—and it’s also orca territory. Ashore, it’s one boot in front of the other, hike through the forest or “take the high road” to ridges overlooking the archipelago. Join your expedition team on deck to search for whales, seals, sea lions, and bird rookeries as you cruise through the myriad San Juans—no two islands are the same

Day 4: Deception Pass | Strait of Juan de Fuca

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
A guided kayak reveals local inhabitants—sea stars, anemones, jellyfish, perhaps even inquisitive harbor seals. Walk along a curiosity-rich intertidal zone or stretch your legs on a mossy hike. And tides and current permitting, perhaps even sail through the swirling waters of Deception Pass. Later in the day, keep watch for marine mammals as you venture into the open waters where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets Puget Sound. Drop anchor for the evening in a tucked away cove.

Day 5: Sucia Island

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The treats keep coming! With no paved roads or even ferry access, enjoy your day on picturesque Sucia Island—a total year-round population of four—a Washington State Marine Park filled with hidden coves and bays. You feel a million miles away from it all, exploring the intertidal zone, hiking across the island, and kayaking in a protected bay. It’s all up for grabs. Top off your adventure with a celebratory Farewell Dinner and a special presentation from your expedition team.

Day 6: Seattle, Washington | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
This morning, cruise through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and tie up back in Seattle’s Fishermen’s Terminal. After breakfast, the captain and crew bid you a fond farewell. Safe travels to all!

Ship/Hotel

Wilderness Discoverer

Wilderness Discoverer
Wilderness Discoverer in the San Juans PNW
Wilderness Discoverer

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$2,695
Wilderness Discoverer's Navigator Cabin.
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Navigator
Main Deck, cabins 201, 204-208 and 210. Queen or twin beds, private bath with shower and view window.
Interior Cabin
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Trailblazer
Observation Deck, cabins 310-325. Queen or twin beds, private bath with shower and view window.
Wilderness Discoverer's Pathfinder Cabin.
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Pathfinder
Observation Deck, cabins 300-309. Outside entry, queen bed, sitting area, private bath with shower and view window.
Wilderness Discoverer's Explorer Double Cabin.
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Admiral
Sun Deck, cabins 400-403. Separate sitting area, queen or twin beds, private bath with shower, large picture window with sofa bed/triple.

Notes

- All rates are in USD, per person, based on double occupancy.
- Rates do not include port taxes and fees, which vary by itinerary.
- Children 8-13 are welcome on all sailings and will received a $500 per child savings

Due to the nature of your explorations, itineraries are guidelines and may change in order to maximize wildlife and natural encounters. Variations in itinerary and the order of days may occur.
Included
  • 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners
  • 5 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
  • Wellness amenities 
  • From-the-vessel adventure activities and equipment
     
  • Group transfers and baggage handling between airport/vessel on embark/disembark day
  • Entry fees to national parks/preserves
  • Premium wine, beer and liquor (excludes super-premium wines)
  • Exclusive activities and shore visits
  • Onboard expedition/heritage guides and guest experts
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Port taxes/fees
  • Optional excursions and land tours
  • Onboard wifi

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Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
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