Can you think of a more rewarding summer job than guiding sea kayak tours in the San Juan Islands? Would you like to lead kayak trips in the best waters for observing orca whales in the United States? A location with over 5000 seals, eagle nests along nearly every mile of shore, and the site of the newest National Monument? Sea Quest Kayak Tours is looking for professional, mature, and fun people who desire a quality outdoor job.
At Sea Quest Kayak Tours we have led the way in the modern evolution of turning kayak tours into educational experiences. We were the first company to require our sea kayaking guides to be either a biologist or have a degree in the natural sciences. We were the first kayak tour company to use tandem kayaks with four bulkheads instead of the standard two. Education and safety are the pillars of our sea kayaking trip program in Washington state. Our focus in this regard applies not just to our guests, but also to our kayak tour guides and trip leaders.
As a Sea Quest guide, you will feel more at ease knowing our kayaks are the newest and safest fleet in the San Juan Islands. All of our equipment is top notch so you won’t be fiddling with repairs and maintenance on a daily basis. Depending on the trip roster, our guides paddle the highest-performance solo kayaks made: the Discover by Northwest Kayaks and the Tempest by Wilderness Systems. These kayaks foster quick learning of advanced skills, yet you will never out-grow these designs.
We are seeking naturalists who have the right combination of qualifications: degree, experience on the water, first aid, superb communication skills, and engaging personalities. You don’t have to be an expert kayak for all of the positions. We provide a comprehensive training program for those who need to develop their sea kayaking skills. Less experienced folks often take a dual position in their first year with us, working both office duties and assistant guiding duties until they develop the skill set and experience to lead the longer multi-day kayak tours.
Kayak guiding is not just a “summer job”, even though it is seasonal in nature. Being a kayak guide in the San Juan Islands is a professional position which requires a professional demeanor and code of ethics. We demand more from our staff than other kayaking tour companies, but we also reward you with the highest pay scale and the fullest schedule. Our lead guides don’t have to sit around waiting for tours to fill – we keep you busy making your hay while the sun is shining!
We are also looking for Office/Logistics staff. If you feel that you are qualified for both types of jobs then please let us know when you apply. We are also open to hosting interns who are still working on their degrees. Applications are by resume only. Send or email us a resume with details about your education, professional experience, experiences with any type of water vessel, and employer references. A recent photo in an outdoor situation will help us put you in the right perspective. Applicants can send resumes via email to jobapplicant (at) sea-quest-kayak.com, or snail mail to PO Box 2424, Friday Harbor WA 98250.
More information on becoming a sea kayak guide in the San Juan Islands, or office positions, can be found here: job openings and employment info.
