About Blue Kingdom Tours
Blue Kingdom Tours is a local, family-owned and operated company. We are passionate about exploring the Salish Sea, and we can’t wait to share our excitement with you! The Salish Sea is an expansive marine area in Washington, which comprises the Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Strait of Georgia, and a network of waterways weaving between the 419 islands it encompasses. Majestic views of surrounding mountain ranges and beautifully unique islands create a dramatic backdrop for whale watching, birding, and viewing all sorts of other creatures. Our local waters are home to 33 species of marine mammals, 172 species of birds, and over 250 species of fish! We truly believe the Salish Sea is one of the most incredible places in the world to explore, with its breathtaking scenery and diverse wildlife. It’s nature’s playground! Our goal is that after coming out on a tour, you will develop the same enthusiasm and curiosity about the Salish Sea and its inhabitants that inspires us to get out on the water every day!
Meet the Crew
Behind every epic tour is an exceptional crew!
TYLER AND FAITH MCKEEN - OWNER-OPERATORS
Tyler and Faith McKeen are the co-founders and owners of Blue Kingdom Tours. They both grew up in Anacortes, Washington and have spent their lives exploring the San Juan Islands and surrounding waters. After leaving town to earn their degrees from the University of Washington, they returned to start their careers and family. Faith and Tyler love spending time with their kids playing on beaches, hiking, and boating around the islands together…always keeping their eyes peeled for whales and wildlife! When they’re not out exploring, the McKeens enjoy volunteering with Anacortes Young Life and traveling.
Captain Tyler has over ten years of experience operating boats in the Salish Sea, primarily as a whale watching and ecotourism guide. Faith is a pharmacist at the local hospital, but she believes fresh ocean air and time on the water are some of the best medicines!
clinton duckworth - captain
Clint originates from Cajun Country in Southwest Louisiana where his interests in boating and marine wildlife was first cultivated on rivers, bayous, and marshes. After graduating from LSU, he journeyed northwest with stops in Texas, Colorado, and California before planting roots in Washington. His path to the Pacific Northwest began during a road trip in 2015 that was highlighted by a whale watching tour from Anacortes that forever changed his life. After that unforgettable experience, he began envisioning a life in the PNW and decided to relocate from Denver to Bellingham, WA in 2016 for the opportunity live amongst salt waters and mountains. His passions for whales, boating, and the Salish Sea flourished over the next 5 years and guided him toward a career change in 2021 to become a marine naturalist and boat captain. Since then, he's captained and led wildlife adventures in both Washington and Alaska. When he's not on the water, you'll most likely find Clint exploring the Pacific Northwest with his fiance and their two dogs.
Amanda colbert - Naturalist
A born-and-raised Florida native, Amanda grew up not far from the Atlantic and was fascinated by the ocean and cetaceans from an early age, crediting her adventures at the beach and the movie Free Willy for sparking her early orca passions. A 2014 bucket-list trip where she encountered Southern Resident orcas in the San Juan Islands changed the trajectory of her life and inspired a new personal mission. Using her background in art and education, she has strived to connect everyone to the orcas of the Salish Sea ever since. Amanda has been teaching courses, giving talks, and guiding wildlife walks, boat-based tours, and other nature outings since 2017 through multiple organizations and programs, and in the whale-watching "off season" assists with courses hosted by the Orca Behavior Institute. Along with her soft spot for the Salish Sea orca communities, she also has an infectious admiration for birds.
Laura Zech - Naturalist
Hopping from coast to coast and island to island, Laura has recently returned to the first place she ever called home: Bellingham. The Pacific Northwest has always been what Laura considers the best natural playground between the mountains, evergreens, and of course, the sea! Life on the water is essential for her, from sailing in the Chesapeake Bay, hosting luxury charters in the Virgin Islands, to now searching for the most magnificent marine life here in the Salish Sea. To her, there is a certain peace and captivation in knowing that each adventure brings something completely new and exciting. Laura fondly remembers her first whale watching trip in the San Juan Islands as a young kid, about 9 years old. This childhood experience has stayed close to her heart drawing her to learn more about whales, marine life, and conservation by observing them in their natural habitat. When Laura is on shore, she can be found hiking with her husband and Bernese Mountain Dog, enjoying a yoga class, or swinging like a monkey from aerial silks.
austin forsman - captain
Austin grew up as a third generation Anacortes kid. He wouldn’t have had it any other way. This place has all he’s ever wanted; fishing, hiking, wildlife, and wonderful people. Growing up, there wasn’t a spare moment that he didn’t spend on the water. Austin has three boys and an amazing wife. They try to spend as much time as possible on their boat, and around the water in general. Austin started running boats professionally in 2011 and hasn’t stopped since. During the winter months, you can find him teaching Physical Education here in Anacortes at one of the local elementary schools.
Tiffany waldner - naturalist
Raised in land-locked Minnesota and Wyoming, Tiffany grew up with a dream to make her way to the ocean and work with animals. She took every opportunity she could to gain experience. Starting with domestic animal veterinary care, then moving to terrestrial wildlife, and eventually landing her place working with marine mammals. Tiffany has worked with several organizations in the region naturalizing, researching, and protecting marine mammals. One of her biggest passions/side gigs is marine mammal stranding response. When Tiffany is not naturalizing with Blue Kingdom you can find her scuba diving, hiking, or traveling the world. Tiffany takes pride in being a voice for wildlife and working with organizations and companies that offer the opportunity for her to teach people how cool nature is.
JENNY HUNT - NATURALIST
Jenny was born and raised in Florida. She spent most of her childhood on the beach and lake shores watching wildlife and trying to share that passion with those around her, despite her parents being less than thrilled at the number of snakes that were snuck into the house! The movie Free Willy & the movement to return Keiko to the wild sparked a life long passion for orcas and marine mammals in general. After graduating from Florida Atlantic University, Jenny moved to Washington in 2014 and quickly fell in love with the area. She's found community amongst fellow whale and wildlife enthusiasts - taking courses on our local orca populations, volunteering with local education and wildlife rehabilitation groups, and working in the classroom during the school year. When she's not on the water, she can be found hiking, kayaking, and exploring tide pools with her husband and two boys.
