Port Tours

Get To Know Your Port

Thank you to everyone who toured the port this year. We’ll be back in 2020 with 10 more chances to see the port in action!

Ever been curious about what goes on at the Port of Vancouver USA? Ever wonder how nearly 90,000 Subarus get from ship to land every year? If so, join us for a free port tour! We’re always excited to welcome guests to the port and show our neighbors around.

On your guided bus tour of our facilities, you’ll hear about the port’s history dating back to 1912, learn what makes a marine terminal tick and find out how over eight million metric tons of cargo (and counting!) moves in and out of the port every year. You might even catch a glimpse of giant steel slabs, trains filled with grain and other imports and exports on the move!

Port tours are open to the public by reservation and offered starting in the spring. They’re great for groups, or for anyone who wants to find out what the Port of Vancouver is all about.

“Excellent tour and very eye opening. We have lived here five years and weren’t aware of how large the port is and how it is used.”

“I’ve lived here for nearly 40 years and didn’t know how much I didn’t know.” 

“Great tour. Helpful and informative for taxpayers to understand the port’s function and purpose.”

Port Tour Details

• Tour dates are announced every spring. Subscribe to our mailing list to make sure you get early notification of the schedule.
• Tours last approximately two hours, and include a light meal and slide presentation about the port, its imports and exports and the importance of our river system.
• Space is limited, so reservations are required.
• To reserve a spot on a tour, please phone 360-693-3611, or email your name, phone number, desired tour date, and number of guests to rsvp@portvanusa.com.
• We ask that tour guests be six years of age or older.
• We will make every effort to accommodate larger groups on the public tours if we can.
• School groups must provide their own transportation (for example, a bus or transit passenger van). In either case, contact us to make arrangements.
• Because tours involve entering secured areas of the port, valid photo identification (for example, a driver’s license, passport, or state-issued identification card) is required from all participants age 18 and over.
• As outlined in the port’s Photo Policy, no photography is allowed on the tours. This includes cameras or cell phones.
• Please be aware that port security protocol dictates that no firearms be brought onto port facilities.
• Washington state law prohibits the Port of Vancouver from conducting tours for private benefit or profit.
• Please contact us in advance if you have any special needs related to one of our public tours or meetings. Alternative language formats, ADA-accessible transportation, and sign-language interpretation are available upon request.