Our total exploration time in the sea kayaks will be about 1˝ hours and we
should cover three to six miles depending on the group's desire and sea conditions.
Several floating rest breaks will be taken, ideal times for your guides to discuss a
variety of natural history topics and point out interesting natural features. Expect to
see beautiful woodlands of Douglas-fir, shore pine, and the gorgeous red-barked Pacific madrona. In the sea grow lush forests of bull kelp, punctuated by purple sea stars and
anemones. Bald eagles, great blue herons, and marbled murrelets are but a few of the birds
commonly seen on these tours.
Itinerary: offered daily
Meeting Time & Place: See meeting time info above. The rendezvous site is the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal. After
a 10 minute drive to the beach in our shuttle van, we will have a 30 minute instructional
period. This is followed by about 1˝ hours of exploration in the sea kayaks, covering from 3
to 6 miles distance, and several floating rest stops will be made. After returning to the
launch point we will again board the van for the return trip to Friday Harbor. Total
elapsed time is 3 hours.
Sea Quest Kayak Expeditions Will Provide:
Sea kayaks, all related sea kayaking trips gear, transportation to and from the launch beach,
instruction and knowledgeable guiding.
You Will Provide:
Transportation to Friday Harbor, appropriate clothing (see list
below), lunch and beverage. Optional: camera or binoculars. Place everything you are
not wearing in a plastic bag to keep dry. Hint: many persons bring a knapsack or similar
item that has been lined on the interior with a plastic trash bag. This keeps the contents
dry and is easily carried about.
Full Day (6 hour)
San Juan Islands
Sea Kayaking Tours
scheduled daily, trip fee $85 per person (plus
sales tax)
except Saturdays from July through August $90 (plus sales tax)
Bonus feature: Sea Quest
offers the longest day trip available to the primary orca whale
viewing area off of Lime Kiln Whale Watch Park. More time on the water,
and spending all of that precious time inside the main orca whale
watching area,
means you will have a greater chance of seeing killer whales on a Sea
Quest kayak tour!
Our full day sea kayak tours are our most popular
trips that don't involve camping
overnight. This is certainly
due to our success in finding orca whales on
these tours. In
fact, the route we use is the best waterway for seeing orcas, also known
as killer whales, anywhere in the United States! In May, June and July we see
orca whales on over 50%
of these tours. That's amazingly great success when you consider two things: these wild
animals swim up to 100 miles each day and we have only a few hours to find them. Lot's of
other wildlife is encountered on the full day trips, too, including minke whales, Dall's
and harbor porpoise, two kinds of sea lions, harbor seals, and river otters. Two active
bald eagle nests along the route guarantee interesting observations of these magnificent
birds. Other spectacular birds of the area are the peregrine falcon, great blue heron, black oystercatcher,
rhinoceros auklet, and pigeon guillemot.
More attractions of the full day sea kayaking trips include fantastic views of
Washington's Olympic Peninsula and British Columbia's Vancouver Island spread across the
blue waters of Haro Strait. As we paddle along the scenic "West Side" of San
Juan Island, we can enjoy the beauty of storm-sculpted evergreen forests and rocky balds
covered in grasses and wildflowers. Dense forests of kelp sway in the currents beneath us
and the steep cliff-like shores are sprinkled with purple seastars and acorn barnacles.
Several beaches offer an interesting shore break for lunch, including those
of the Lime Kiln "Whale Watching" State Park. The unique human history of the area is
attested to by Native American pictograms and relics of turn-of-the-century mining
operations.
Itinerary: scheduled daily
Meeting Time & Place: See meeting time info above.
We will board our shuttle van for a 25 minute drive across the island to our launch point.
We will then engage ourselves in an instructional period on the beach that may last up to
1 hour, thereby assuring that everyone is fully prepared for our
adventures in the exposed
waters of Haro Strait. This will be followed by about 3˝ to 4 hours of exploration along
the "West Side" shore. We should cover about 5 to 7 miles during the trip and to
stay refreshed we will make several floating rest stops in interesting locations. Mid-way
along the route, we will journey ashore for a ˝ hour lunch break (at about
1:30pm). After
returning to the launch point we will again board the van for the return trip to Friday
Harbor. We anticipate arriving at the ferry terminal between 4:30 and 4:45pm (although
some groups prefer to stay out later) which will allow you time to catch several departing
ferries if you are planning to leave the island. Total elapsed time is at least 6 hours.
Sea Quest Kayak Expeditions Will Provide:
Sea kayaks, all related sea kayaking trips gear, transportation to and from the launch beach,
instruction and knowledgeable guiding.
You Will Provide:
Transportation to Friday Harbor, appropriate clothing (see list
below), lunch and beverage. Optional: Camera or binoculars. Place everything you are
not wearing in a plastic bag to keep dry. Hint: many persons bring a knapsack or similar
item that has been lined on the interior with a plastic trash bag. This keeps the contents
dry and is easily carried about.
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Orca whale watching: sea kayaking San Juan Island,
Washington
● Two Days - scheduled weekends Saturday-Sunday, trip
fee $339
● Three Days -
scheduled each mid-week
Tuesday-Thursday
and
every weekend Friday-Sunday, trip fee $499
● Five Days - scheduled weekly Monday-Friday, trip fee
$749
Bonus
features: Sea Quest has an exclusive private campsite in the outer
islands! Go with Sea Quest and avoid the crowded public parks used by
other outfitters! Our Orca Camp overlooks the main traveling route of
the killer whales and all of our kayaking will take place in waterways
that maximize our chances of encountering the orca whales.
If you're the kind of person who likes to savor the complete cycle of
sunrise and sunset in a single day, camp on small islands, and relax to the sight of
starry skies and meteorite showers, you'll certainly enjoy our multi-day
kayak expeditions in
the San Juan Islands. Excellent weather, abundant wildlife, and hundreds of islands
conspire to make this the ultimate location for experiencing either sea kayaking or camping
for your first time. Our expeditions are scheduled in a variety of lengths to suit your
vacations schedule and taste for adventures. All of the trips involve kayaking through the
most important orca (killer) whale habitats in United States waters, so our chances of having an
encounter with these amazing animals is as high as 80% depending on the time of year. Your
guides will know many of the individual whales by name, so complete is their knowledge of
the area's wildlife. Besides orca whales, other species that frequently appear on these trips
are two species of porpoises, minke whales, river otters, and sea lions. There will be no
shortage of wildlife! We are guaranteed to see hundreds of harbor seals and marine birds,
including nesting bald eagles on every island.
The campsites we use on these expeditions are only accessible to those who
have their own craft. We will not be sharing them with any cars or recreational vehicles.
Nor will we be sharing them with other kayakers or boaters, as our
main campsite in the outer islands is private owned! This is quite different from
all of the other outfitters who operate in this area who are forced to
use often noisy and over-crowded public campsites.
Itinerary for 2 Day Expeditions: scheduled weekends
Saturday-Sunday
- trip fee $339
Meeting Time & Place: 8:00am at the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal.
Day 1 - We will board our shuttle van and drive to the launch point on the
opposite side of the island. An hour-long instructional period on the beach will prepare
all participants in the basic skills. When everybody feels comfortable with the techniques
of sea kayaking, we will pack our kayaks and launch that morning. We will
immediately enter prime orca whale territory and must keep a sharp eye out for
"blows" as we paddle. Heading north from San Juan Island, we will explore
numerous islets, rocks, and reefs rich in wildlife. Expect to have an
enjoyable time kayaking along the beautiful route alternating with time
spent on the beach for rest and lunch. We also take floating rest breaks
to enjoy the view, observe wildlife, and take some photographs.As long as weather and currents allow, we will
spend the night at our spectacular and private Orca Camp. After dinner there will be an optional paddle to either revel in the
moonlight, or if there is no moon, to marvel at the bioluminescent life swirling in the
waters like fairy dust.
Day 2 - After enjoying the morning sunrise, we will break camp and head out for
another wonderful day of paddling. We will cover a similar distance as the day before,
still sticking to the main thoroughfares of the killer whales. After returning to San Juan
Island we will again board the van for the return trip to Friday Harbor. We anticipate
arriving between 2:00 and 4:00pm which will allow you time to catch several departing
ferries if you desire to leave the island that evening.
Itinerary for 3 Day
Tours: mid-week
Tuesday-Thursday & weekends Friday-Sunday
- trip fee $499
Meeting Time & Place: 8:00am at the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal.
This trip may start off very similar to the 2 Day Expedition but it certainly has a
whole different feel to it! That's because the second day of the trip doesn't require us
to return to San Juan Island (and the life of the land-locked). Instead, we are afforded a
whole day free of ferry schedules, air travel, and other stressful influences. The middle
day of this expedition is incredibly relaxing, beginning with the chorus of bird song at
dawn, and ending with the deep hooting of owls at bedtime. Now you know why twice as many
people choose this camping trip over the previous one.
Day 1 - Please refer to Day 1 of itinerary above.
Day 2 - Another carefree day of exploration in our sea kayaks, devoted exclusively to
the enjoyment of the activity and the surrounding natural world. Again we'll travel
through important whale and porpoise habitat, en route to our new campsite. There will be
many beautiful sights along the way, including views of up to three mountain ranges: the
Olympics, North Cascades, and Coast Range. Many of the islands we pass will be included in
the San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge and will have many furred and feathered
inhabitants.
Options include circumnavigating Stuart Island if the
currents and winds allow it, or just visiting some of the more
attractive beaches. We often paddle into a narrow, glacially-carved bay
to land at the trailhead for a 5˝ mile round trip hike to a picturesque
lighthouse perched high on a cliff overlooking the Gulf Islands of
British Columbia. Our clifftop vantage is perfect for
spotting whales and porpoises or watching the sun set. As the sun approaches the horizon, it paints the glassy waters in
outrageous colors and highlights the dorsal fins of porpoises and whales as they
hunt their evening meals.
Day 3 - Our final sunrise of the trip will be followed by loading up the kayaks
and striking out towards San Juan Island. We will paddle a distance nearly equal to that
of the previous days, remaining as close to the whale's favorite corridors as possible.
After making our last beach landing, we will board the shuttle van bound for Friday
Harbor. We expect to arrive between 2:00 and 4:00pm, and you will have the choice of
several departing ferries if you wish to leave the island that same evening.
Itinerary for 5 Day Expeditions: scheduled weekly
Monday-Friday
- trip fee $749
Meeting Time & Place: 8:00am at the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal.
This expedition is for those who like the idea of the 3 Day trip but want more of it!
You're guaranteed to be relaxed after five days of paddling through these intricate
islands and convoluted waterways. The 5 Day Expeditions are especially attractive to those
who want to devote more time to perfecting their stroke, improving their navigation
skills, or studying natural history. Many guests choose this expedition as a means of
preparing themselves for an extended adventure on their own, or the purchase of
their own sea kayak.
Days 1 & 2 - Please refer to the 3 Day Expeditions itinerary shown above.
Days 3 & 4 - Depending on tides, currents, and weather, we may
be able to cross Haro
Strait to enter Canadian waters and even more peaceful wateryways. The rough pillow
basalt of the western San Juan Islands will give way to wave-sculpted sandstone. One
of our goals will be to experience the frantic activity and cacophony of sound produced by
the residents of Mandarte Island, the most important seabird colony in the archipelago.
Campsites will feature awesome views and interesting hikes. D'Arcy Island, a former leper
colony, is one of our favorite campsites across the border.
Day 5 - Please refer to the 3 Day Expeditions itinerary shown above.
Sea Quest Kayak Expeditions Will Provide:
Sea kayaks, all related sea kayaking trips gear, transportation to and from the launch beaches,
instruction and knowledgeable guiding. Also, tents, all cooking gear, safety equipment,
and cooked meals for breakfast and dinner.
You Will Provide:
Transportation to Friday Harbor, appropriate clothing (see list
below), sleeping bag and pad, lunches and beverages. Optional: camera, binoculars,
reading and writing materials. All equipment must be packed in plastic bags to keep dry.
Hint: instead of purchasing "dry bags", most persons bring a knapsacks, stuff
sacks, or similar items that have been lined on the interior with a plastic trash bag.
This keeps the contents dry and is easily carried about. You will receive a detailed
packing list and instructions when you reserve your space.
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Killer whale watching: sea kayaking San Juan Island,
Washington
Our sea kayaking trips are the
perfect activity for your active and curious family.
We have a small number of kayaks that can seat
three people, making them suitable for carrying a child between two
adults. They can also accommodate persons with certain disabilities or
are not able to paddle with vigor. Families with six or more members can
usually schedule private trips. Smaller families may be paired with
another interested family group to maintain the proper setting for their
adventures. If you require any of our limited three-person kayaks please
make your reservations early!
Attention all teachers
and professors! We take many school groups and college classes on
educational kayak trips with different focuses, goals and lengths.
Contact us if you feel you have students that would benefit from an
outdoor classroom experience.
Our women-only trips
combine active sea kayaking adventures with a unique social
environment –
a group consisting only of fellow women! These special
trips are the perfect getaway
for the female traveler, either together
with friends, family, or as a solo participant.
We’ve had tremendous responses from past
members of our women-only trips. Their enthusiasm is most often directed
towards our skilled women guides, who they frequently describe as
inspiring and dynamic role models. Of course, much of the success of our
women-only expeditions is owed to the fact that our company’s expedition
director, Martine Springer, is a woman. When she can manage to get out
of the office, she is in high demand as a trip leader by all genders!
Our women’s-only kayaking trips are designed
just like our 3- and 5-day expeditions (please read the sections above
for descriptions and itineraries) except that they are restricted to
female participants and are led exclusively by women guides. Come enjoy
the camaraderie and build lasting friendships as you explore the world
in kayaks, all the while increasing your knowledge, confidence and
strength. These trips are currently pre-scheduled only in the San Juan
Islands but can be arranged on a custom basis for small or large groups
in our other kayaking locations. All of our paddling routes are safe for
women travelers, as are the communities they are staged from. So get
ready to enjoy great kayaking in the company of great women!
Come paddling with us
and learn the necessary knowledge and skills
to safely kayak on your own in the Pacific Northwest.
Here you will gain an
overview of sea kayaking techniques and equipment, navigation,
predicting tides and currents, and rescue. Most importantly, you will be
able to practice these skills in a safe learning environment under the
supervision of experienced staff. In the Sea Kayak School there are
three different sections over the three day class. Part one takes place
on a calm lake where you will learn self-rescue and how to rescue
others. Part two will take place on the ocean in a protected bay. Here
you will learn how to use the various paddling strokes, bracing, and
other skills. Part three will emphasis weather interpretation, reading
charts and tide tables, navigation, and more. By moving into the open
waters of the strait for part three, we will be able to put this
knowledge to work and enjoy the currents and weather that create the
kayaking environment. Before the class starts you will receive a list
that will help you prepare for the class. Some previous kayaking is
preferred but not necessary for this class.
Delve deep into the
mysterious lives of whales, porpoises, and seals as you witness
these
incredible creatures for yourself from a sea kayak in the San Juan
Islands.
This unforgettable journey combines science with the art of sea
kayaking and is designed for the person with a genuinely deep interest
in the biology and ecology of marine mammals. These trips are scheduled
during the absolute peak periods for orca whale activity in the San Juan
Islands.
The Marine Mammals
Ecology expeditions will have a more significant environmental science
approach then our normal trips in the San Juan Islands. The program will
consist of three days of guided kayaking, along with field observations,
discussions marine mammal biology and current research. Prior to the
trip, each participant will be asked to read from a list of resources on
the natural history of the area.
The Marine Mammals Ecology trips will
function like our normal 3-day expeditions with regard to food, sleeping
arrangements, and routes traveled so please refer to our 3-day trips
itinerary below for more details. There will be two nights of camping,
in which most camp functions will be handled communally, and we will
travel many of our traditional routes, as they will compliment the
intent of the trip.
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Orca whale watching: sea kayaking San Juan Island,
Washington
Clothing Recommendations
You will receive a detailed checklist and
packing instructions when you reserve space.
Dress appropriately for anticipated weather, but keep in mind that it is
always cooler and breezier around the water. There is plenty of space in the boats so
don't skimp on extra clothing. In sunny weather you will be most comfortable in a
lightweight shirt and shorts, with a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. However, you should
always bring a rain jacket and sweater no matter how nice the forecast. In cool or rainy
weather you should bring long pants, an extra sweater and rain pants. Do not bring cotton
sweaters and pants if you can avoid it. Loose fitting pants that can be rolled up to the
knees for wading are best. Be prepared to get your feet wet! Wetsuit booties, aqua socks,
and old sneakers are the most appropriate footwear. Wool or synthetic socks will help your
feet warm even when wet.
Some Important Notes
for San Juan Island Kayaking Tours
You must not miss the ferry the morning of your trip or you will likely
miss the kayak trip and forfeit your trip fee! Please read our web
page Travel to the San Juan
Islands for more information.
No alcohol is to be consumed at any time during the
trips, except after
dinner on camping trips when all paddling activity is finished.
Smokers: If you choose to smoke please be sensitive to the rights of
non-smokers. No smoking is allowed while in the kayaks or tents for safety
reasons, and please bring something
for disposal
of your cigarette butts. Thanks for your cooperation!
Sea Quest Kayak Expeditions has a perfect safety record, but you must
understand that sea kayaking is inherently risky like other outdoor
activities. You will be required to sign a
"Release and Assumption of Risk" agreement prior to the trip, recognizing and
accepting the risks.
Please click here to read our
Travel to the San Juan Islands
web page. It will provide all the information you need to plan your
travels to San Juan Island, including detailed advice and options from
all local cities such as Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria, Bellingham,
Anacortes, and more.
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Killer whale watching: sea kayaking San Juan Island,
Washington
