First Stories of the Salish Sea

An Indigenous-Led Cultural Experience on the Salish Sea

First Stories of the Salish Sea

FROM $144 + taxes and fees.
Additional pricing info

Availability

Every Tuesday,
June 16 - July 21 2026

Trip duration

3-4 Hours
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Experience the beautiful Salish Sea as you learn about local Indigenous history, culture, and cuisine on this whale watching journey. This Indigenous-led guided tour, created in collaboration with Taproot Travel Co., brings together local voices, traditional knowledge, and immersive onboard experiences, including a traditional tea tasting. Enjoy delicious bites from Native entrepreneurs, stories from local elders and knowledge keepers, stunning views, and the chance to spot whales, seals, and other wildlife.

Tour Stops and Points of Interest:

  • Stories about Coast Salish whaling culture
  • The Kelp Highway, an ancient coastal migration route rich in marine life
  • Discovery Park, a site of Indigenous activism and resilience
  • Historic village sites like Alki Beach
  • Contemporary Tribal longhouses and commentary on the significance of the longhouse way of life
  • Information on treaty rights and the ongoing presence of Tribal fishing in Elliott Bay
  • Geological storytelling and how the land itself holds memory
  • Background on the salmon lifecycle and the Coast Salish principle of reciprocity

Experience Includes

  • Indigenous cultural interpretation of the Salish Sea
  • Optional wildlife viewing
  • Traditional tea tasting experience
  • Curated food & beverage from local Indigenous businesses
  • Onboard retail (Indigenous art & goods)
  • Complimentary parking with validation

Only six tours with limited seats available—book today!

About Taproot Travel Co.
Taproot Travel Co. is a Native-led organization that connects people to Indigenous homelands through immersive, regenerative food and culture experiences that honor land-based teachings, are rooted in relationship, respect, reciprocity, and support Native economies.

Vendors

Learn more about the vendors we’ll be featuring

The Longhouse is the heartbeat of the Warm Springs Reservation.

Born on the Warm Springs Reservation, built from the ground up with passion, grit, and a love for bold flavor. Every cup of Theos Long House Strong Coffee celebrates Indigenous strength and tradition, with a portion of each purchase supporting Longhouse events, repairs, and cultural preservation. This isn’t just coffee, it’s community, culture, and connection.

Owned by Brandy Grey (Cherokee/Shawnee) and Ari Grey, Greywing Wines produces small-batch organic wines sourced from two Willamette Valley vineyards. Their Pinot Noir comes from the Fairsing Vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, while sparkling wines are crafted from grapes grown at their family-owned Blackfeather Estate vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains. Greywing focuses on wines that connect people, create community, and reflect the beauty of the region they call home.

Nestled in the Tongass National Forest, Uncharted Alaska Distillery offers a unique selection of high-quality spirits. Our handcrafted gin, vodka, whiskey, and agave spirits capture the essence of Alaska’s wilderness. Each drop tells a story of passion, craftsmanship, and quality. Join us for a warm atmosphere and exceptional spirits crafted with the finest ingredients and innovative techniques.

Talking Cedar & Distillery is the first tribally owned distillery in the United States, founded after the Chehalis Tribe helped overturn a federal law dating back to the 1800s that prohibited distilling on tribal land. Today, Talking Cedar produces award-winning spirits and craft beer on Chehalis tribal land in Washington State, blending innovation with locally sourced ingredients, aquifer water, and botanicals foraged from the surrounding Pacific Northwest landscape.

Founded by Chef Lynette Pflueger (Spokane Tribal member) in 2025, Fireweed Baking Company turns ordinary moments into celebrations with flavorful scratch made baked goods and seasonal catering menus.

Pemmican sustained generations of hunters, travelers, and explorers. Their modern-day recipe delivers steady, reliable energy when you need it most. Each Bisonberry Blend Bar offers 10g of protein, low sugar, and clean, simple ingredients — nothing artificial, nothing unnecessary. Just naturally sustaining fuel you can trust out on the trail.

Cedar Circle Botanicals, founded by Elizabeth Campbell (Spokane Tribal Member), grows organically, wildcraft ethically, and carefully sources all of our ingredients for the highest quality and most vital potency. You will taste and feel the difference in their products, including lotions, salves, chapsticks, roll-ons, and more.

These indigenous crafted syrups, created by Chef Jason Vickers (Hassanamisco Band, Nipmuc Nation), are great for mocktails, cocktails, sodas, teas, marinades, dressings & desserts. We invite you to mix Natoncks Metsu handmade syrups into your own specialty cocktail creation, or mix with your favorite sparkling water.

In Partnership With:

Terms & Conditions

Prices vary by season. Prices listed are minimum prices per adult. All applicable taxes included.

  • Whale sightings guaranteed: If you do not see whales during your First Stories of the Salish Sea Tour, you will receive a voucher for a complimentary trip good to use for one year from date of a Seattle Wildlife & Whale Watching Tour.
  • 1 child (1-11 yrs. old) is half of applicable adult fare.
  • Within 48 hours prior to travel; the reservation is non-refundable, non-changeable and noncancelable.
  • Washington state sales tax and fees not included.
  • Restrictions apply, subject to change.

2026

Jun 16 to Jul 21
$144