The San Juan Islands provide one of the best whale watching opportunities anywhere in the world, offering protected waters and a huge variety of wildlife, which include our three pods of resident Orca whales. Anacortes and La Conner are perfect departure points for whale watching and wildlife cruises. Looking for a Skagit tour idea – add whale watching to the top of your list!
Featured Websites:
Blue Kingdom Tours
Island Adventures
Outer Island Excursions
Spirit of Orca Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours
Deception Pass is one of the most visited attractions in Washington. Learn about Deception Pass, the Bridge and surrounding area on a Deception Pass Jet Boat Tour aboard the “Island Whaler.” Enjoy the thrill of the fast jet boat through Deception Pass with a knowledgeable interpreter.
Captain Brett is a U.S. Coast Guard certified captain and would like to share this exciting and picturesque setting with you while exploring the shores and waters of the surrounding area. Take a unique ride on a seated open deck boat and enjoy a 360° unobstructed view as we pass through the waters of Deception Pass on a one hour tour. Also, look for wildlife such as bald eagles, seals, porpoises and maybe an occasional whale. We may not have Nessee or Champ, but we have the world’s largest Pacific Octopus. Learn the tales of characters who navigated these waters and the splendor of this National Historic Landmark.
Sea kayaking the San Juan Islands is convenient, affordable, and rewarding when you depart from Anacortes.
Anacortes offers several choices of sea kayaking adventures to choose from. With both families and seasoned travelers in mind, our tour companies have created a variety of sea kayak tours to match your needs, budget, and available time. Whether you are looking for a kayaking day trip, a family kayak tour, or a longer multi day sea kayaking expedition, Anacortes is a great place to start.
Join us on a sea kayaking trip and enjoy an incredible day as we search for Porpoise, Seals, Eagles, Orca Whales, and much more!
Featured Websites:
Anacortes Chamber of Commerce – Kayak Tours
Skagit Guided Adventures offers small group day Day Hikes, Wildflower, Birding, Tulip & Farm Tours around Skagit Valley, Mount Baker, the North Cascades, Fidalgo Island, and Anacortes.
Experience the Skagit River with the fast moving, fast stopping shallow water SJX jet sled on a Skagit River Tour. This tunnel-hull design boat can navigate in as little as 4″ of water giving you a real up close and personal experience of the river and surrounding wildlife! Join us on tours from La Conner, Washington, up the Skagit River via the North Fork and back. These tours take you 7-8 miles upriver toward the North Cascade National Forrest.
Learn about the history of the Skagit River Valley and see a lot in a little time on this fun filled river tour!
Skagit Valley recently was rated by Sunset Magazine as the #5 place in the Western United States for a unique rafting trip – be sure to add this to your Skagit tours itinerary!
Tea and Tour combines the aura of English Tea with charming bicycle tours that showcase the farmland and historic towns that surround Willowbrook Manor. Guests will begin their country experience with Tea & Scones followed by a bicycle tour of their selection. Tours range from 8 to 12 miles on comfortable bikes and flat terrain. Cycling groups can schedule Tea and Tour’s Century Ride that boasts 100 miles of flat scenic farmland, and views of the Skagit River and Puget Sound.
Skagit Valley’s deep and fertile alluvial soils are rated by USDA as among the best in the world. The Skagit Valley farmer’s grow the barley varietals, Skagit Valley Malting takes these new varieties to bring out taste and flavor, and then all 11 of the Skagit Valley Breweries use the malt to make great craft beer.
The Skagit Farm to Pint Passport Tour includes a map and passport to collect stamps. Once you have collected all your stamps, you are awarded with a pint glass at the last brewery you visit. Pick up a passport at the breweries, Skagit Visitor Info Centers, and a select number of lodging establishments that offer “Bed & Brew” packages.
Skagit Valley is also home to a Brewing Academy, fields of Barley and five Brewery Festivals: Bier on the Pier (First weekend of October), Brew on the Slough (Third weekend of October) Brew Fest on the Skagit (Second Saturday of August), the Skagit Wine & Beer Festival (November) and the Skagit Farm to Pint Fest in September. Not surprising that we ranked #10 in the USA on the “Hidden Beer Gems in the USA” list!
Looking for a convenient way to attend the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival? Have you thought about looking into tulip festival tours? We have consolidated a list of tulip festival tours with links to their website for the most up-to-date tour information.
At 10,781 feet Mount Baker is truly one of the most picturesque mountains in all the Cascade Range. Baker has the second largest glacial system in the lower 48 States second only to that of Mount Rainier. In 1998 Mt. Baker’s annual snowfall exceeded the world record held on Mount Rainier since the early 1970′s with an amount of 95-feet. The mountain is the third-highest mountain in Washington State and the fifth-highest in the Cascade Range. Climbing Mt Baker presents a fantastic objective for those seeking a challenging climb in a pristine alpine environment.
Climbing Tours meet in Sedro-Woolley.
Featured Website: Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce – NW Mountain Shop & Guides
Want to explore the northernmost national park in the US? The North Cascades National Park was established in 1968 and it encompasses 504,781 acres (2,042.78 km2) of pristine mountains, glaciers, valleys, temperate old-growth forest, rivers, and turquoise-colored lakes.
From I5 take the North Cascades Scenic Highway (SR 20 East), following the Skagit Wild & Scenic River System, for about 75 mi. Along the way, make these stops to see for yourself what makes this park so special:
Once there, you can hike on a variety of trails that suit all hiking levels, swim, kayak, take a boat tour and camp. During the summer months (when the road is open) you can continue on the Cascade Loop. Or, if you turn around, make sure to stop at Cascadian Organic Farms to learn about organic and regenerative organic farming methods.
Summer temperatures can soar into the 90s and 100s, increasing the possibility of forest fires and heat stroke. Track the weather at Diablo, WA to prepare for your trip. Winters with heavy snowfall can cause early road closure of SR 20 and delay its reopening. Check The North Cascades National Park website to plan your visit and for updates on road and trail closures.
Skagit Guided Adventures offers small group Day Tours into the heart of the park to experience its protected wilderness and majestic landscape! Or check out 10 Adventures for a list of top hikes in the North Cascades National Park along with route descriptions and insider hints.
Looking for an outdoor getaway this summer? Visit the rich beauty of the North Cascades through Skagit Tours, brought to you by Seattle City Light, North Cascades Institute, and the North Cascades National Park Service.
Skagit Tours provides a recreational and educational experience for people of all ages. You can choose from four different tours and register for an array of leisure activities throughout the Skagit area: Diablo Lake Boat Tours, North Cascades Explorer Tours, Powerhouse Tours, and Newhalem Walking Tours.
Featured Website: North Cascades Institute
