Above and beyond any other experience in our oceans, an encounter with one of the worlds great marine mammals is a life altering experience. The majesty of a whale, the intelligence of a dolphin, and the playfulness of a seal can captivate young and old alike.

Poets, writers and mariners that have woven tales of whales and dolphins into the folklore and legend of mankind across the world having captured our innate fascination for centuries. Yet today these creatures still remain as little-known nomads of the oceanic realm.

Following centuries where marine mammals - whales (cetaceans), seals and sea lions (pinnipeds) - were treated as a commodity, and in certain countries still are, public attitudes have changed and these animals are recognized as important cohabitants in the marine ecosystem.

Marine mammals are grouped into three distinct categories: Cetacea, Sirenia and Carnivora. The group Cetacea consists of whales, dolphins and porpoises; Sirenia is comprised of Sea Cows: and Carnivora includes polar bears, seals, sea lions and sea otters. In total there are approximately 120 species of marine mammals thought the world, of which over a third live in the Pacific Northwest.