Bald eagles working the shoreline, river otters at camp, Pacific madrona framing every sunset — this was the classic San Juan Islands sea kayak summer trip. Kyle Marek led a 3-day expedition from San Juan County Park through Stuart Island and Jones Island, with a smart Day-2 reroute when a forecast blow-out actually materialized.
The Route We Actually Paddled
Day-by-Day: Forecast vs. What Actually Happened
Day 1 — Friday, July 3
The float plan called for a San Juan County Park launch, counter-current run up to Open Beach, the hike out to Kellett Bluff, and a Stuart Island crossing to Reid Harbor by 5pm. Winds were forecast from the south at 5G8 knots, dropping to S 4G6 later in the day. That’s exactly what we got — small chop across the bay and an easy landing in Reid Harbor.
Day 2 — Saturday, July 4
The plan flagged Day 2 as a “potential blow out day” with building southerlies, and it delivered. Winds came in from the SE at 12G15 knots with 2–3 ft chop and 4–5 foot waves in exposed water. Rather than push through, Kyle called an audible: late start, crossed from Green Point to Rubentart, and camped at Rubentart County Park instead of returning to Reid Harbor. Sensible call — the weather held below workable thresholds by afternoon and camp was set with plenty of daylight.
A good guide reads the conditions and picks the safer, better paddle.
Sea Quest field philosophy
Day 3 — Sunday, July 5
N 5G7 knots and smooth seas made for a comfortable final paddle. Some heavy boat wake around Kellett and the crossings, but the group landed on time between 12–1pm.
What We Saw
Wildlife on this trip was quintessential San Juan summer:
- Bald eagles working the shoreline
- Harbor seals hauled out on the rocks and hunting the eddies
- River otters — a treat, usually a morning sighting near camp
- Pacific madrona framing the campsites — the peeling orange bark is one of the region’s most iconic shoreline trees
- Sea grass beds in the shallows, which anchor the whole nearshore food web
Trip at a Glance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Dates | July 3–5, 2026 |
| Guide | Kyle Marek |
| Launch | San Juan County Park |
| Nights | 2 (Reid Harbor, Rubentart) |
| Wildlife highlights | Bald eagle, harbor seal, river otter |
| Weather | S 5–8 kts Day 1, SE 12–15 kts Day 2, N 5–7 kts Day 3 |
| Plan change | Day 2 rerouted Green Point → Rubentart |
Why This Format Works
We publish these reports because a real day on the water rarely looks exactly like the float plan. Weather shifts. Currents surprise you. A good guide reads the conditions and picks the safer, better paddle. Kyle’s Day 2 adjustment is a great example — the group still got a full expedition, but from a sheltered camp rather than a punishing exposed crossing.
Book Your Own San Juan Islands Expedition
Ready to paddle Stuart, Jones, or another San Juan island route with an experienced sea kayak guide?