Print
E-Mail
tool name
closeDestiny Tours introduce customers to Puget Sound
Harbor company offers a maritime point of view
Susan Schell
of the Gateway
Boat captain and entrepreneur Tom Drohan thinks the best way to experience Puget Sound is from the water.
Drohan launched his new maritime venue, Destiny Harbor Tours, on May 15. He has seen steady business throughout the summer as visitors and locals get on board for an “up close and personal” view of Gig Harbor, the Port of Tacoma and the Narrows bridges. Tours can be booked for one or two hours.
“We can see an amazing amount of wildlife in just one hour,” Drohan said. “We’ve seen porpoises, bald eagles, seals and ospreys.
“The two-hour tour goes to the Narrows all the way down Point Fosdick. We are focused on our natural history and nature.”
The tours are designed to be the same sort of adventure “you’d offer your family and friends,” Drohan said.
“When people get off the boat, they have a look on their face like, ‘Wow.’ The boats are open, and you feel the spray of the water and people feel exhilarated.
“I’ve never heard any complaints about the weather. People are recharged because they’ve been close to nature.”
Drohan said Destiny Tours priced its inaugural season to be “sensitive to the economy.” One-hour tours for adults cost $17; two-hour tours cost $22 during the peak season. The value season, October through April, is $2 less and can be booked by appointment.
“Our prices are reasonable,” Drohan said. “We don’t casually present this. It’s an important thing to go out on a boat in your own harbor.
“As a captain, we intensely look and say, ‘I want people to see this.’ I wanted to make sure people were not denied this experience. I tried to remove any reason why people couldn’t do this.”
The tour promises a good view of both sides of the harbor. Some surprises are a close up view of Salmon Beach, which only can be seen from the water.
The customers throughout the summer have been “extremely diverse,” Drohan said. The boat has hosted children and adults alike, all the way up to 89-year-olds.
The company also offers memorial services. Drohan said locals have been happy that an opportunity to scatter ashes is available in the area.
“Often people who have passed on expressed this as a wish,” he said. “The idea is that we grant that wish. We are able to help the family meet that need.”
The company is licensed to perform the services and has been offering the two-hour memorials since March.
“People are so gratified,” Drohan said. “It’s emotional, and there’s a sense of relief that is tangible. It’s extremely rewarding to see people bring flowers and their families are doing what they need to do. What follows is a calm, logical, natural wonder that’s really great.”
As the season changes and the sun starts to set earlier, Drohan said his company will offer sunset tours.
“The sun is going to be setting at that magic hour,” Drohan said. “It’s lovely when the sun starts reflecting off the harbor. It’s absolutely perfect. The product is our own backyard, and that sells itself.”
Destiny Harbor Tours
The tours operate out of Gig Harbor and the Port of Tacoma. For scheduling or reservations, call 253-225-6306.