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There are few places in the world 
where wilderness and city meet as 
seamlessly as they do in the Pacific 
Northwest. Just beyond Seattle’s 
skyline, the waters of the Salish 
Sea unfold into a living, breathing 
ecosystem—one defined by 
powerful tides, ancient shorelines, 
and an astonishing diversity of 
marine life. It is here, on these 
storied waters, that FRS Clipper’s 
newest vessel, the Emerald Clipper, 
invites guests to experience the 
region in an entirely new way.
Launched as part of FRS Clipper’s 
40th anniversary celebration, 
the Emerald Clipper represents 
both a continuation of a proud 
maritime legacy and a bold step 
forward. Purpose-built for wildlife 
viewing and coastal exploration, 
this high-speed catamaran offers 
a refined, comfortable platform 
from which to witness one of North 
America’s most dynamic marine 
environments.
From the moment the vessel 
departs downtown Seattle, the 
journey becomes something 
more than a tour—it becomes an 
immersion.
A Front-Row Seat  
to a Living Ecosystem
The Salish Sea is not a single 
body of water, but a network 
of interconnected inland seas, 
channels, and straits stretching 
from Washington State into British 
Columbia. Its nutrient-rich waters 
support a complex food web that 
draws some of the ocean’s most 
iconic species.
No two days on the water are ever 
the same. One morning might begin 
with the sight of harbor seals hauled 
out on rocky shorelines, warming 
themselves in the sun. In summer, 
these same beaches often host 
newborn pups—some only hours 
old—resting quietly as their mothers 
forage nearby.
Further out, the scene shifts. 
A sudden exhale breaks the 
horizon—a plume of mist rising 
from the surface. A gray whale, 
migrating along its coastal route, 
surfaces briefly before slipping 
back beneath the water. In other 
moments, the experience is 
more electrifying: a pod of Bigg’s 
(transient) orcas slicing through 
the water with purpose, their tall 
dorsal fins cutting clean lines 
against the backdrop of distant 
islands.
These encounters are not staged. 
They are fleeting, powerful reminders 
that the Salish Sea is alive.
Emerald Encounters: 
Discovering the Salish Sea 
Aboard the Emerald Clipper
A Bigg’s (transient) orca surfaces with prey.  
Photo by FRS Clipper naturalists.
The Emerald Clipper whale-watching vessel is a new addition to the FRS Clipper fleet. (FRS Clipper)

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