Protection Island Cruise

Protection Island is an amazing National Wildlife Refuge located just outside Port Townsend. Nearly 70 percent of the nesting seabird population of Puget Sound and the Strait nest on the island. This includes one of the largest colonies of Rhinoceros Auklets in the USA. Although the refuge is closed to the public, visitors can view the inhabitants from a distance on this boat tour. Naturalists from the Port Townsend Marine Science Center serve as on-board interpreters and provide commentary on the birds, mammals, geology, history, and even the weather. The three hour cruise departs from Port Townsend aboard the Glacier Spirit, a Puget Sound Express boat. Protection Island includes one of the largest colonies of Rhinoceros Auklets in the USA. Birders on this trip last year saw Tufted Puffins, Glaucous- Winged Gulls, Double-Crested and Pelagic Cormorants, many other marine birds, and sea lions.

Lacey Parks and Recreation will transport participants to and from Port Angeles for this all day trip. The trip costs $119 plus tax per person, and it is limited to adults 18 years old and above. Meet at Lacey City Hall at 10:00 a.m. Bring binoculars, a picnic lunch, snacks, and/or money to purchase lunch and for dinner on the way back to Lacey City Hall. Be sure to dress for the weather, with sufficient layering, bearing in mind that boating in Pacific Northwest waters can be chilly, no matter the season.

Register with Lacey Parks and Recreation for this trip, and contact Kathy Owen at Lacey Parks and Recreation if you have questions: kowen@nullci.laceywa.us or 360-491-0857.