Travelbiz E-Zine
19
February
2025

How To Explore Washington State’s Puget Sound

#Traveltradetogether

Puget Sound offers visitors endless adventures on and off the water, from kayaking at sunset and waterfront strolls to epic wildlife watching and exploration on cruise and ferry boats.

Wildlife spotting 

There is plenty of wildlife to keep an eye out for in Puget Sound. From otters to orcas, visitors can hope to spot something on one of the many wildlife tours available. Tours depart from multiple areas, including the San Juan Islands, where visitors can spot humpback and minke whales in addition to resident orca pods. Orcas can be sighted in the Puget Sound throughout the year, but visitors’ best chance for spotting one of the three Southern Resident pods is usually from April through September. Take a tour with San Juan Outfitters, Orcas Enchanted, or Outer Island Excursions to spot one of the resident orca pods as well as the porpoises, humpback whales and bald eagles that also inhabit Puget Sound. See our whale-watching guide HERE

970580060

Watersports 

For adventurous visitors wanting to get a little closer to the water, there are plenty of water sports opportunities. Hop in a kayak, canoe or on a paddle board and head out onto the water, where lucky visitors will catch a glimpse of some of the wildlife living in the Puget Sound. Visitors can rent their own canoe or kayak for a self-led adventure or join a group to explore. Exotic Aquatics on Bainbridge Island offers anything from a two-hour harbour paddle to a ‘Full Moon Paddle’ to catch the sunset on the water. Alternatively, Olympic Outdoor Center on the Kitsap Peninsula offers rental paddleboards for up to a week at a time so visitors can easily explore the many beaches, coves and bays across the peninsula. For a truly unique experience, visitors can head out with Hood Canal Adventures for a night paddle through an ethereal display of gleaming underwater algae known as bioluminescence. Learn more about this phenomenon HERE

CREATOR: gd-jpeg v1.0 (using IJG JPEG v62), quality = 85

Hop on a ferry 

Visitors can easily drive or walk aboard a Washington State Ferry from Seattle to explore nearby Bainbridge Island. Washington is home to the largest ferry system in the United States, connecting Seattle and other locations to the Olympic Peninsula, Whidbey Island, and the San Juan Islands. Soak in the scenery and keep an eye out for marine mammals before disembarking to explore one of the many islands, which boast local dining, shopping, museums, and excellent parks and beaches. Plan your ferry adventure here and visit the Washington State Ferries website for information on accessibility, and reservations.

Walk along the waterfront 

Visitors will discover plenty of walkways along the Puget Sound waterfront to enjoy a stroll or a hike amongst nature. Minutes from Tacoma’s Old Town neighbourhood, Ruston Way Waterfront offers two miles of paved walking paths along the water between downtown and Point Defiance. Take in views of Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains and glittering Commencement Bay.

Practice water safety and recreate responsibly 

Between 157 miles of coastline, around 70,000 miles of rivers and streams, and more than 4,000 lakes, there is no end to water recreation opportunities in Washington. Visitors should remember that water can be powerful, which is why it’s important to plan ahead and know what conditions to expect. Further information is available at Recreate Responsibly

Subscribe to our E-Zine

    More

    from latest edition

    Travcorp Holdings Ltd Acquires Specialist Holidays Group
    16th July 2025

    Travcorp Holdings Ltd Acquires Specialist Holidays Group

    This strategic acquisition brings a highly complementary collection of specialist travel businesses and talented individuals into TravCorp Holdings Ltd’s growing portfolio, adding American Holid...

    Read more
    New York City Tourism + Conventions Opens Reservations for NYCc Restaurant Week Summer 2025
    16th July 2025

    New York City Tourism + Conventions Opens Reservations for NYCc Restaurant Week Summer 2025

    New York City Tourism + Conventions, the official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau for the five boroughs of New York City, today announced that reservations ...

    Read more
    USA Summer Soiree 2025 in Dublin’s Shelbourne
    15th July 2025

    USA Summer Soiree 2025 in Dublin’s Shelbourne

    Another super successful soiree organised by Michael Collins and his TravelMedia.ie team was held in Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel on July 10th. Oh what a night! The reception rooms bubbled with cha...

    Read more
    Exclusive Travel Agents Competition, Win a Holiday to Maldives!
    15th July 2025

    Exclusive Travel Agents Competition, Win a Holiday to Maldives!

    Exclusive Travel Agent Competition with Classic Resorts. WIN a Dream Holiday to the Maldives! Travelbiz brings you another amazing trade only competition!!!

    Read more
    We have our First WINNER! Congratulations Michelle Lyons from Fahy Travel!!
    15th July 2025

    We have our First WINNER! Congratulations Michelle Lyons from Fahy Travel!!

    Our first Winner is Michelle Lyons from Fahy Travel in Galway!
    Travelbiz is giving YOU the chance to join Discover Travel & Emirates on an unforgettable Fam Trip to Thailand this September...

    Read more
    Star Of The Seas Officially Joins Royal Caribbean as the Next Iconic Vacation
    15th July 2025

    Star Of The Seas Officially Joins Royal Caribbean as the Next Iconic Vacation

    Royal Caribbean kicked off the countdown to a new era of family vacations, officially welcoming Star of the Seas into the family. After nearly two years of construction at the Meyer Turku shipya...

    Read more