Birding Adventure on the Lower Skagit River

Our most popular & productive spring trip, this adventure through the Skagit River estuary offers terrific spring birding as well as the gorgeous tulip and daffodil fields in the magnificent Skagit Valley.

You'll meet with your naturalist, river guides who will treat you with tales of local history, spot a variety of birds, and take you on a voyage of discover through the Skagit estuary into the Swinomish Channel and the historic town of LaConner, Washington. We are the only raft company offering this innovative trip; it has been enjoyed by folks of all ages for many years. Since it is a leisurely float with no white water, it is ideal for families, groups and bird enthusiasts.

This is our most productive River Adventure to experience a variety of wildlife - Red-Tailed Hawks, Blue Heron, Bald Eagles and a variety of sea-birds. On occasion we witness river otters and other marine critters.

You'll stop for a yummy picnic on Goat Island located across from Deception Pass where you can explore and climb to an abandoned Fort, a leftover post from WWII. A huge cistern is at the top of the island where a vast variety of birds visit on their migratory route to both bathe and drink the fresh water. We'll meander on through the channel and you'll disembark from your inflatable raft in LaConner.

Stay and visit LaConner, or we can take you through the legendary and spectacular display of tulip fields in West Mt. Vernon. You'll view the beautiful gardens of tulips and many other floral species in bloom.

Information on the Skagit River

The mighty Skagit River is the third largest river in the United States. The Skagit boasts 5 species of salmon and a variety of other fish such as dolly varden, cutthroat trout & rainbow trout, making the area a paradise for birding, fishing and recreation. Each year the Valley is home to the Tulip Festival coinciding with the migration of the snow geese. Winter brings an abundance of eagles from Alaska and British Columbia. With some of the most beautiful scenery in Washington with looming Mt. Baker, this is an area rich in nature and historic interest that you you won't want to miss.

What to bring:
~ Camera
~ Binoculars or Video camera in a plastic bag.

What is provided:
~ Shuttle Service from pickup point to the river
~ Life Jackets
~ Rain Ponch
~ Professional guides
~ Lunch
~ Shuttle Service from the river back to the pickup point

Trip Times: Trip times vary for this tour due to tide schedules.

Frequently Asked Questions:

~ What do we wear? -- Skagit Spring & Fall: These trips, during the shoulder months can be unpredictable. September can be a gorgeous month on the Skagit, but it is always better to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. This is why you should layer your clothing for these excursions. Synthetic fleece, poly-pro or wool tops keep you warmer and dryer than cotton. Neither of these are white water trips, so you would not get wet from the river, just wet weather. Shoes are required, and you may want to wear waterproof boots, or have dry shoes at the end of the trip. Remember you loose your heat through your head and your feet, so you will want a hat and dry feet. Bring rain gear, and hope you won't need it.

~ Do we have to know how to swim? -- You do not have to swim to go rafting! Life jackets are worn at all times on the river and are designed to float you face up. The guides instruct you before the trip on what to do in the small chance (extremely unlikely on float trips, more likely on white water) you fall in the river.

~ How big are the rapids? -- All rivers are different. Rivers are rated on the International Scale of Whitewater I-VI. Class I is "moving water", Class II is "splashes", Class III is "wet and fun", Class IV is "big drops", Class V is "violent rapids", and Class VI is considered "unrunnable". Our float trips on the Skagit are Class I & II. The Upper Skagit River has Class II & III, while the Wenatchee is Class III & IV.

~ Will I get wet? -- Not on the Skagit River Float Trips.

~ What are the minimum and maximum age limits? And what type of physical condition do you have to be in? -- Our float trips on the Skagit River are for people ages 4-104. We have taken people in their 90s on these trips. We have also taken groups of paraplegics, and special education groups with escorts. You select the trip that is right for you or your group. If you have any questions, please ask us ahead of making your reservation. These age limits & physical condition do fluctuate depending on the water level.

~ Are we required to sign a waiver? -- Yes, our insurance company, as with all outfitters, requires us to have you sign a waiver & release of liability . It is here for you to read in advance. You can print and sign this in advance.

Child rate applies to ages 4 to 12; minimum age is 4. NO hotel pickup is provided; you must provide your own transportation to our central pickup point in LaConner, WA. Please order online, or call us toll-free at 888-790-1874.