Seattle and Western Washington are inseparable from the ocean.

Maybe you fish or forage from it, kayak or sail on it, surf its swells, hike and camp along its coast, or simply enjoy the sight of the water on a regular basis. The ocean is intertwined with our way of life here. And sometimes it’s easy to take it for granted.

This year’s theme for World Ocean Day, “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us,” is a reminder to give back to the ecosystem that sparks so much wonder in us. World Ocean Day is June 8, a time to reconnect to our marine ecosystems in Washington and the ocean beyond and the sense of wonder they spark in our lives.

Community Events

Following its renovation in 2024, the Seattle Aquarium has doubled down on its conservation efforts through its One World Ocean initiative. Learn about the interconnectedness of the world’s waters, from the Salish Sea to the Coral Triangle, at the Aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion.

Did you know there’s more plastic in the ocean than fish? Approximately 26 billion pounds of plastic gets dumped into the ocean each year. Small, localized efforts can make big waves to mitigate these numbers. A few large-scale beach clean-ups take place throughout the year, organized by Washington CoastSavers and the Ocean Conservancy. The next date is July 5, although there’s no reason to wait until then. The next trip you take to the lake or the coast, bring a bag and gloves with you and pick up waste along a walk. Go solo or invite some friends to join you.

If you’d prefer to be on the water, join Puget Soundkeeper for a few conservation-focused activities in June. Puget Soundkeeper is hosting a World Ocean Day sail on Lake Union on June 7, or you can help clean up Lake Union on a kayak trip on June 11.

Activities and Classes

The more we learn about the ocean and the more time we spend in it, the stronger the draw there is to protect it. Go for a swim (cold plunges are trending, after all), kayak, or paddle in Washington’s waters. Maybe take learn to master the waves during a surf class in Westport with Big Foot Surf, or find your balance paddling in open water during a sea kayaking course with the Mountaineers.

Or mix it up and try something new. Outdoor Odyssey’s multi-day kayaking excursions in the San Juan islands allow you to more deeply connect with the rhythm of the sea as you spend a few days kayaking between islands in search of marine life. Shifting Tides runs workshops, designed to encourage education and exploration of ocean and coastal ecosystems. There are several classes in June, including seaweed foraging and tide pooling excursions.

June is also the start of whale watching season in Washington. Look for companies that are part of the Pacific Whale Watching Association (PWWA), which share a commitment to conservation and responsible whale watching, such as using silent boats to minimize noise pollution. Clipper’s whale watching excursions in Washington comply with PWWA regulations and include a naturalist aboard to educate on the environment and wildlife behavior.