The Salish Sea is a large, interconnected coastal marine ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest of North America.

In plain terms: it’s the network of inland waters between British Columbia (Canada) and Washington State (USA).

What it includes

The Salish Sea isn’t a single bay—it’s a system made up of:

  • Puget Sound (Washington)
  • Strait of Georgia (British Columbia)
  • Strait of Juan de Fuca (between Vancouver Island and Washington)

Together, these waters connect to the Pacific Ocean and function as one ecological unit.

The Salish Sea is a network of coastal waters spanning Washington State and British Columbia. It is critical habitat for Southern Resident orcas and many other marine species.