Make a Maritime Memory
Explore our thriving maritime community!
Port Townsend is steeped in maritime history since it’s perfectly situated for seafaring. At one time, it’s reported there were over a thousand tall ships anchored in Port Townsend Bay. Today, we’re still a thriving maritime community, with a working waterfront at the Port of Port Townsend’s Boat Haven, home to over 450 marine trades working in boat building, repair, sail making and various other occupations. We host regattas throughout the year, offer opportunities for visitors to get out on the water and learn about our maritime heritage. We invite you to experience it fully.
Half Day Itinerary
Visit the Northwest Maritime Center
The Northwest Maritime Center engages and educates people of all generations in traditional and contemporary maritime life, in a spirit of adventure and discovery. A favorite for many visitors is The Chandlery, where you can purchase all things maritime, including boat accessories and parts, clothing, books and other sundry items. The Center also has an outstanding maritime library. 431 Water Street, 360.385.3628
Tour the Port Townsend Marine Science Center
Discover the nearshore habitats of the Salish Sea in the Port Townsend Marine Science Center’s aquarium featuring local fish and invertebrate species. View plankton through a microscope, touch an anemone, learn about the orca ‘Hope.’ Science camps are available in the summer and a variety of programs are offered. (Note hours vary by season.) 532 Battery Way, Fort Worden, 360.385.5582.
Low Tide Walk
Plan a low tide walk with docents from the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, (based upon scheduled walks and low tide) and discover the mysterious world between land and sea. 532 Battery Way, Fort Worden, 360.385.5582.
Wildlife Cruises
Take a wildlife cruise with the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. Tufted puffins may steal the show, but the spring and fall bird migrations are fascinating. Spot a juvenile bald eagle or a sea lion on Protection Island, a National Wildlife Refuge. 532 Battery Way, Fort Worden, 360.385.5582.
Take a four-hour whale watching cruise with family-run Puget Sound Express, see orcas, humpbacks, gray whales and minke whales – sightings guaranteed! 227 Jackson Street at Point Hudson Marina, 360.385-5288.
Sailing Charters
Get out on the water via a two-hour sailing charter with Sail Port Townsend. Two hours is the perfect length to get the experience of sailing on Port Townsend Bay, however individual trips may be customizable for longer sails or sailing lessons, just ask!
Explore Port Townsend’s Boat Haven
Drive through the Port of Port Townsend Boat Haven—the only boatyard open to the public in Washington.
Eat in the boatyard! Breakfast and lunch are served at the Blue Moose or Marina Café. Try fresh fish tacos at Key City Public Fish. Enjoy freshly baked pastries and coffee roasted onsite at Sunrise Coffee. End the day with a brew at Port Townsend Brewing.
Enjoy Happy Hour with Sea Wulff Charters, slip 72 on A-B dock in Boat Haven, 360.821.9366.
Full Day Itineraries
Port Townsend Whale Watching
Port Townsend is quite possibly the finest whale watching destination in the continental US. See orcas (killer whales), humpbacks, gray whales, minke whales, as well as bald eagles, harbor seals, California and Steller sea lions, tufted puffins and many other species of marine life. Departing from downtown Point Hudson Marina, Puget Sound Express full-day tours to San Juan Island (includes a 2 hr stop on San Juan Island), as well as half-day tours – and they guarantee you’ll see whales or your next trip is free. 227 Jackson St at Point Hudson Marina, 360.385-5288.
Kayaking Adventure
Get out on the water in and explore the waters Fort Worden, Admiralty Inlet, and Port Townsend Bay on a sea kayak. On a lucky day, you might see sea otters, seals, sea lions, or even orcas!
Wooden Boat Festival & Race To Alaska Events
The Northwest Maritime Center is home to two of the most dynamic maritime events on the West Coast: The Wooden Boat Festival, and R2AK – The Race To Alaska.
The Wooen Boat Festival – held each September – is the largest wooden boat festival in North America. Kids and adults alike experience the magic of getting on the water, the beauty of wooden boats, and the richness of our maritime culture.
Wooden Boat Festival photo by Mitchell Osborne
Held each June, the Race to Alaska is a human powered race from Port Townsend to Ketchikan, AK. No motor, no support, all the way to Alaska. The Pre-race Ruckus held prior is a town favorite.
2-Day Itineraries
On the Water
Day One: Whale Watching
Port Townsend is quite possibly the finest whale watching destination in the continental US. See orcas (killer whales), humpbacks, gray whales, minke whales, as well as bald eagles, harbor seals, California and Steller sea lions, tufted puffins and many other species of marine life. Departing from downtown Point Hudson Marina, Puget Sound Express full-day tours to San Juan Island (includes a 2 hr stop on San Juan Island), as well as half-day tours – and they guarantee you’ll see whales or your next trip is free. 227 Jackson St at Point Hudson Marina, 360.385-5288.
Day Two: Kayaking Port Townsend and Marrowstone Island
Get out on the water in and explore the waters Fort Worden, Admiralty Inlet, and Port Townsend Bay on a sea kayak. On a lucky day, you might see sea otters, seals, sea lions, or even orcas!
On Land
Day One: Northwest Maritime Center
Photo (c) Deja View Photography
The Northwest Maritime Center engages and educates people of all generations in traditional and contemporary maritime life, in a spirit of adventure and discovery.
One of the activities of the Center is to teach boat building. The workshop is open to the public and a visit is recommended! Located at Point Hudson downtown, the Center is also home to The Chandlery, a visitor favorite where you can purchase all things maritime, including boat accessories and parts, clothing, books and other sundry items.
One of Port Townsend’s most popular coffee shops – Velocity – is also housed at the Northwest Maritime Center. Grap a cup, and head up to the NWMC Library to learn all you can about life on the water.
Day Two: Larry Scott Trail, Boat Haven, Point Hudson Marina
The Port of Port Townsend is renowned as a center for the repair and construction of wooden boats (and other kinds as well!). More than 400 marine trades folk make their living at the Port’s “Boat Haven” facility. Boat Haven is also the start of the Larry Scott Trail, a beautifully constructed multi-purpose trail that is used perfect for walking, bicycling, wheeling, and horseback riding.The Larry Scott Trail starts in Port Townsend at Boat Haven, and and travels along the water for a bit heading inland for roughly 7 miles. At that point, it joins the the Olympic Discovery Trail and the Pacific Northwest Trail.
After returning from your hike, bike, or skate, be sure to grab lunch at the Blue Moose Cafe (360-385-7339) in Boat Haven. A favorite of locals and visitors alike, it’s one of PT’s “go-to” places for breakfast and lunch. After lunch, walk off those calories by strolling through the boatyard, one of the only boatyards in the state where private boat owners and work on their own boat. (As always, please be mindful and respectful of workers and signage).
At the other end of downtown is beautiful Point Hudson Marina. Originally a US Government quarantine facility back in the 1930s, Point Hudson is now home to a very popular marina and RV park, as well as other marine-oriented businesses. Stroll along the beach (at low tide you can even walk to Fort Worden!) and then be sure to cap off your day with a glorious dinner at Doc’s Marina & Grill at Point Hudson (360-344-3627).
Plan Your Future Trip
Map is a fun and interactive way to plan your future dream vacation in Jefferson County. The map links to local businesses and activities in the area, features an easy to use itinerary planner which is sharable on social media, it has a calendar of local events when safe & healthy events can once again be scheduled, and showcases popular trail maps. iMap is a trip planner right at your fingertips. Plan your trip and start exploring what Jefferson County has to offer!
