Salish Sea Lighthouses

Learn about the Salish Sea!

The Salish Sea is the name of the inland waters of Washington State and and southern British Columbia. This inland sea stretches from the Strait of Georgia out to the Strait of Juan de Fuca down through the Puget Sound to Olympia, Washington State.

Where did the name Salish come from?

The Salish Sea is named in honor of the tribes of the First Nations people that lived in the region for thousands of years.

The Lighthouses found in the Salish Sea are numerous! This website will only explore the lighthouses in Washington State. 

Since lighthouses were built and maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. Check out the Coast Guard area of this website for additional information.

Three Distinct Areas of the Salish Sea

Puget Sound extends approximately from the Admiralty Inlet near Port Townsend and extends to Olympia.

San Juan Islands Named by Spaniard Francisco Eliza for the Viceroy of Mexico Don Juan  (very long name!)

Straits of Juan de Fuca This is a 95 mile long stretch of water from the tip of northwestern Washington State (Cape Flattery) to Point Wilson.

Marine Life

The Salish Sea is home to a diverse range of marine mammals, including orcas, humpback whales, gray whales, porpoises, seals, and sea lions. These species thrive in the rich and productive waters of the region, making the Salish Sea an important habitat for marine life. Conservation efforts are underway to protect and preserve the unique ecosystem and the well-being of these marine mammals in the area.