Top Washington Nature and Wildlife Tours

Get up close with the orca whales off the San Juan Islands near Seattle on this half-day whale-watching cruise. San Juan Island is where the southern resident killer whales live about six months out of the year, from mid-April to October. It’s also considered one of the best places to view orca whales.

Get up close with the killer whales of Anacortes, the home port to the San Juan Islands, on this whale-watching cruise led by naturalist guides. Climb aboard a Blackfish fleet vessel and travel through some of the most picturesque scenery in the Pacific Northwest searching for orca, humpback, and gray whales. Along the way, see ocean wildlife in their natural environment, like seals, porpoises, sea lions and otters—plus a wide variety of birds and more.

The ancient forests, mountains, and rugged beaches of the Olympic National Park provide some spectacular hiking opportunities. On this tour, visit two of the most stunning natural spots—Hoh Rain Forest and Rialto Beach—and enjoy short, guided hikes at each destination. With round-trip transport, National Park fees included, and a guide who points out the local flora, all you need to do is focus on the views.

The glacial mountains, coastal rainforests, and wilderness of Olympic National Park lie about a 2-hour drive west of Seattle. With this tour, make your own way to Port Angeles, then set out on a guided minivan tour to the glacier-carved valley Lake Crescent. After admiring the views, enjoy an about 3-mile hike through the ancient forests to another natural wonder—Marymere Falls.

There is no better way to discover the Columbia River Gorge, a must-visit destination when you're in Portland, than on a private tour just for you or with a companion. From stunning waterfalls to iconic viewpoints, this is your chance to experience the Pacific Northwest at its finest. Book your tour today and let the magic of Multnomah Falls and the Gorge’s natural wonders captivate you!

Set sea and observe the Pacific Northwest’s majestic wildlife on this half-day whale watching cruise. Take in picturesque scenery of the San Juan Islands while searching for orca, humpback, and gray whales. Along the way, spot additional ocean creatures in their natural environment, such as seals, porpoises, sea lions, and otters.

Enjoy Seattle’s cityscape, Olympic Mountain and Mt. Rainier views aboard Seattle's premier tall ship. After hoisting the sails, we’ll cut the engine and enjoy the tranquility on our beautiful schooner. As the sun sets, we will celebrate another beautiful summer day in the Pacific Northwest! Enjoy a beverage and the beautiful views as we sail back to the city.

Anacortes is strategically placed to offer the best whale viewing opportunities. There's no company that sees more whales than Island Adventures. As members of the Pacific Whale Watch Association, we have access to the best whale-sightings network in the world. If whales in the area, we know it. High-speed, low profile vessels often travel past whales without seeing them. Our elevated wheelhouses and upper decks allow us to find more whales, spot them sooner, and view them better than smaller boats.

Get up close with the killer whales off Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juan Islands near Seattle, on this guided, 3.5-hour whale-watching cruise from Eastsound. Led by naturalist guides and captains, climb aboard a Blackfish fleet vessel and travel through some of the most picturesque scenery in the Pacific Northwest searching for orca, humpback and gray whales. Along the way, see ocean wildlife in their natural environment, like seals, porpoises, sea lions and otters — plus a wide variety of birds and more. Sightings are guaranteed from April through early September.

See the highest mountain in Washington State on this full-day tour of Mt. Rainer National Park. Your guide transports you from Seattle—conveniently handling all the driving and logistics—to explore the iconic park of the Pacific Northwest. With your guide in the lead, spend the day hiking, visiting the Longmire Museum, and seeing incredible vistas of mountains, lakes, and waterfalls.

This diverse and active half day tour features the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, with two cascading waterfalls, a 2-hour moderate hike through an old growth forest, a visit to a historic logging town, and a stunning lake reflecting the surrounding mountains. We'll visit the verdant Ollalie Sate Park with Twin Falls and Upper Falls, the towns of North Bend and Snoqualmie, as well as the legendary 270-foot tall Snoqualmie Falls.

Explore Mt. Rainier National Park's highlights on this day tour featuring glaciers, waterfalls, lakes, and old growth forests. From Seattle, you'll head to the park and take guided shorter hikes from the Visitor Center at Paradise, including a one-mile walk to a picnic near giant glaciers. See Reflection Lake, Narada Falls, and Christine Falls. In winter and spring (November-June), snowshoeing replaces hiking—no experience required.

A road-based tour with short hikes throughout the day, where we enjoy beautiful highlights of Olympic National Park with panoramic views of mountains and ocean from Hurricane Ridge. Here we also enjoy a picnic lunch on a short hike. We then explore the rainforest at Crescent Lake, where we go for a short hike along the beautiful lakeshore, followed by a stop in the quaint town of Poulsbo with waterfront views. Finally, we cross Puget Sound again and see the best views of the Seattle skyline on the ferry back to Seattle.

Seeing the highlights of Mt. Rainer National Park in one day can be difficult if you don’t know where to go and downright impossible if you don’t have a car. Make your trip easy (and leave the driving to someone else) with this small-group tour from Seattle. Depending on when you visit, you might see wildflower meadows, alpine vistas, and waterfalls, either on a hike or on a snowshoe adventure.

Experience the natural beauty of Mt. Rainier with the help of a guide to lead the way on this full-day group tour from Seattle. Enjoy a scenic, narrated journey past lakes, waterfalls, historic towns, and Mt. Rainier. Take in spectacular views from Narada Falls, considered the most popular waterfall in Mt. Rainier National Park, and the aptly named Paradise. Includes pickup and drop-off from select downtown Seattle and airport hotels for your convenience.

From alpine mountains and glacier-fed lakes to moss-draped rainforests and stunning coastal beaches–Olympic National Park has it all. Olympic National Park Tour not only takes you to the park’s most popular destinations like Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rainforest, and Ruby Beach, but it also includes numerous hikes, waterfalls, and hidden gems. Along the way, you’ll learn about the region’s fascinating history, local heroes, and champion trees and animals.

Have the special chance to explore Olympic National Park with a naturalist guide—and make your sightseeing logistics smooth and hassle-free—on this full-day, small-group tour from Seattle. With round-trip transit from your downtown hotel, getting to the UNESCO–listed park is made simple. From beaches to mountains to forests and beyond, experience the best of this spectacular landscape, seeing and doing more with your guide than you could alone.

Spend a picturesque six hours in and around the water on this kayaking tour, with a friendly guide to help you navigate the water and prepare your lunch on the beach. You’ll float through a wildlife habitat that’s home to the likes of seals, porpoises, and orcas. But don’t forget to look up for a chance at spotting some eagles too.

Set off on a full-day, small-group guided adventure through Olympic National Park, beginning with a scenic drive through Elwha Valley and around Lake Crescent to reach Sol Duc River Valley. Experience a guided hike to Sol Duc Falls, then explore the majestic Lake Crescent. After a stop at Port Angeles, ascend to Hurricane Ridge for breathtaking views and a guided hike through subalpine trails.

There are very few places in the world where you can experience the stars in the sky and illuminated water around you at the same time. Our trip starts off with a beautiful sunset paddle in Griffin Bay off of San Juan Island where we kayak among harbor seals, roosting birds, and other wildlife. Then as the night progresses, the environment around us becomes even more serene as the bioluminescent sea life comes to life. This is one of those experiences that you will truly remember forever. Please contact Outdoor Odysseys directly to complete your waivers prior to the tour. The last ferry leaves Friday Harbor at 9:50pm and our June, July, and August tours end later.

Admire the splendors of Puget Sound—and get a new view from the water’s edge—aboard this small-group, narrated boat tour. Meet directly at the dock, hop aboard your vessel, and embark on a 12-mile (19-kilometer) journey along the Tacoma coast. You’ll learn all about the region’s history, former industry, and wildlife—and can even keep an eye out for bald eagles, seals, and more as you go.

“Just magical. So awestruck and inspired.” Acclaimed artist Christopher Marley transforms nature's wonders—from colorful insects to fossils to sea life—into a stunning, immersive art, nature and science exhibit. It's beautiful, unforgettable, and uniquely curated for wonder. A stunning exhibit of thousands of ethically sourced specimens presented as breathtaking works of art.

Cover the highlights of Olympic National Park in one day, without having to rent a car, on this tour from Seattle, which mixes car and ferry transport and about six miles (9.6 km) of hiking. Visit different ecosystems, including meadows, a temperate rainforest, and a subalpine forest, with time leftover to visit the Pacific Ocean.