Salish Sea Expeditions

Overnight Program for Schools & Groups

Available for grades 6–12

Out here, science comes alive!

Join us for an extraordinary adventure aboard the schooner Zodiac! Salish Sea Expeditions ignites a passion for the marine world among young people through immersive experiences in scientific inquiry and active learning. Our multi-day voyage transforms students into integral members of the crew as they navigate the San Juan Islands, hoist sails, and delve into marine science experiments. In addition to hands-on STEM projects and island exploration, students will enjoy a variety of engaging activities, classes, and games. 

  • Participants: 6th–12th grade
  • Capacity: 23 passengers max (students + chaperones—2 chaperones minimum)
  • Location: Bellingham Cruise Terminal, Bellingham, WA
  • Available: Monday–Friday (3-4 day programs)
  • Questions & Booking: Email simona@nwmaritime.org

Presented in sponsorship with the Schooner Zodiac

Contact Simona Clausnitzer at 360.385.3628 x122 or simona@nwmaritime.org for questions, rates, or to book your program.

Scholarships Available

Northwest Maritime Center believes that money should not be a barrier to getting your students out on the water. For more information about scholarships, please contact Simona Clausnitzer at simona@nwmaritime.org or 360.385.3628 x122.


“The entire journey was eye-opening. It gave me an interest in marine biology and definitely did a great job of getting us out of the classroom. This may be one of the highlights of my high school career.”
– Student, Liberty Bell High School


About Salish Sea Expeditions

Since Salish Sea Expeditions’ founding in 1994, more than 12,000 middle and high school students, 1,000 teachers and hundreds of schools have sailed the waters of Puget Sound as part of our innovative “science-under-sail” programs. On July 1, 2019, Salish Sea Expeditions merged with the Northwest Maritime Center—a partnership designed to sustain and grow SSE programs.

Salish’s growing success is a result of the commitment to a novel idea by an inspired group of staff, board members, volunteers, donors and others who believed in the creation of an unparalleled learning experience and the impact that it would have on thousands of lives.

Following inquiry-based methodologies, students are given control and ownership of all aspects of their Salish learning experience, with the belief that students would develop a joy for learning and a new-found appreciation for science that they would carry back to their traditional classroom settings.