Kayak in prime whale and wildlife habitat along the haro strait, bordering the west side of san juan island and vancouver island. Many people ask us if it is safe to kayak with orcas. Our guides are trained to study these conditions and provide a wonderful safe adventure. Kayak san juan island and the many other san juan islands for an experience of a lifetime. The san juan islands are considered one of the top sea kayaking destinations in the world. Our sister company san juan island outfitters offers multiple sea kayaking tours daily, no experience necessary. Our islands create the perfect conditions for sea kayaking. Kayakers travel from across the world to paddle in the serene waters that surround san juan island. San juan islands morning half day 3 hour kayak tour. San juan safaris prides itself on providing high quality, small group whale watches.
Island adventures whale watching offers free pacific northwest wildlife viewing guides on all guaranteed whale watch tours in the san juan islands. On this san juan island full kayak tour, you will have the opportunity to soak up the islands scenery both from the seat of a kayak and from a beautiful pebble beach. Adventure whale watching in the san juan islands western. San juan island outfitters offers multiple sea kayaking tours daily, operating both out of roche harbor and friday harbor. San juan islands whale watching tours orcas, lopez, shaw. Watching whales by sea kayak in the san juan islands. Spend the day with discovery paddling san juans most popular wildlife corridor. Youll then continue paddling and exploring along the rocky shores of san juan island in prime orca waters. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. Summer whales and wildlife in the san juan islands. Meet us at our launch site at snug harbor or use our complimentary shuttle from the ferry in friday harbor. Halfday morning and sunset kayak tours are the perfect choice for those who have very limited time but really want to experience sea kayaking in the san juan islands. You can also spot humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, steller sea lions, and many other underrated species. This 46 day trip includes paddling the shores of san juan island as well as taking day trips to orcas island andor lopez island where we explore more coastline and wildlife.
Orcas arent the only whales found in the waters of the san juan islands. On the multiday kayaking tours, camping on various islands is usually part of the deal, and the tour companies provide their guests with tasty fare. For decades it has been the routine if you want to kayak with whales to stay to the west side of san juan island along the orca highway and lunch at whale watch park, but that might be changing. Paddle your own kayak or paddleboard, or set out with one of the many knowledgeable outfitters on san juan, orcas, or lopez island. San juan transit san juan islands whale watching and sea.
Secluded islands, great food and a lifetime of memories. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching whale. Explore the majestic san juan islands from the seat of a kayak on this unforgettable 3day adventure. Kayak the san juan islands on a three, four or six hour tour. Our first whale watching tour from friday harbor is scheduled for saturday, march 4th and we cant wait to get back on the water. This is where the killer whales do nearly all of their hunting and playing. Spend the day on our san juan island tour discovering this mysterious landscape with a naturalist guide. Gentle reader, enjoy the silence and the scenery of kayaking in the san juan islands.
During your kayak tour, youll kayak for about an hour and a half and then stop for a break at a beautiful little cove just south of lime kiln state park that has outstanding views of the olympic mountains and vancouver island. Magnificent orca or killer whales live in the san juan islands yearround, and this is the best place in the world to see them in the wild. Orca whales and wildlife in the san juan islands island. Today we will either shuttle you to the beautiful western side of san juan island for a day of sea kayaking or you may choose to go on a whale watch wildlife cruise aboard the odyssey. Hiking has the fresh air and mountain views, whale watching has the whales and the water, bicycling has the scenery and fitness but sea kayaking really does have it all. Paddle along the evergreen cloaked coastlines of the pacific northwests san juan islands and be surrounded by snowcapped mountains in virtually every direction. Resident orca populations are those that frequent the waters off the san juan islands and are organized into stable, highly social matrilineal family. Commercial kayak tours shall follow all local, state, and federal laws and guidelines governing behavior around. Quality kayaks, ideal group sizes, wildlife and whale watching kayak routes.
With over 25 years leading sea kayaking and whale watching tours, sea kayak adventures offers incredible orca kayaking tours in british columbia. We will either shuttle you to the beautiful western side of san juan island for a day of sea kayaking or you may choose to go on a whale watch wildlife cruise aboard the odyssey. Summer whales and wildlife in the san juan islands outdoor. San juan outfitters is widely considered san juan islands premier sea kayak and whale watch tour company. Washingtons san juan islands are nothing short of magical. The northern minke whale is the smallest of the baleen whales at approximately 2530 feet in length. Blackfish waters orca kayak tour whale watching tours. Half day kayak trips also work well for people who arent sure if they will enjoy sea kayaking and want to get a brief first taste of the sport. Whale watching guidelines and best practices are observed by kayak excursions and whale watching boats throughout the san juan islands. San juan excursions san juan islands whale watching. The san juan archipelago harbors mythical beauty amid its islands, bluffs and seascapes. Orca whales range through the san juan islands the most between march and october and you can expect to see them on the vast majority of our tours during that time, although we do have sightings throughout the year. Humpback whales, minke whales, and, gray whales also call the region home.
The calm waters near the san juan islands are one of the best places in the world to view wild orcas. Orca whales are mostly restricted to the us side of the waterway that separates the san juan islands from vancouver island, so this is the area our whale watching kayak tours operate in. The primary salmon orca feeding and traveling area is highlighted in green on the individual kayak trip route maps shown below. These three marine parks are reachable only by boat or floatplane and are amongst the most beautiful in all the san juans. Soak in the natural beauty of the pacific northwest aboard the finest whale watching vessel on. Sea kayaking orcas island wa a san juan getaway vacation spot.
San juan island tours from seattle evergreen escapes. Orcas island kayaks at lieber haven rentals and marina contact phone 360 3762472 life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments and places that take our breath away gentle reader, enjoy the silence and the scenery of kayaking in the san juan islands. Learn sea kayaking skills, chart reading techniques and predicting tides and currents. Orcas island kayaks is located at obstruction pass, on the scenic southeastern side of orcas island at lieber haven rentalss marina 1945 obstruction pass rd. Kayaking san juan islands washington kayak camping from. We operate the full day kayak tour in two locations on san juan island. Departing from the calm waters of roche harbor all kayak tours are great for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. The waters are quite calm but very cold and you have tides, currents, rocks and wind to contend with if you go kayaking by yourself out here.
Casual lodging kayak vacation san juan islands kayak tours. San juan islands kayak tours kayaking san juan islands. San juan island 90 miles north of seattle is the best place for orca whale watching as we are located in the heart of salish sea. Olga,wa a very popular lodging, birdwatching, fishing and kayaking location. Apr 01, 2011 kayak whale watching in the san juan islands. Also for those who have very limited time but still want to experience sea kayaking in the san juan islands. These intelligent whales have never injured a human in the wild. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just around the corner. The san juan islands are the best place in the world to view killer whales, and viewing them from a kayak is a once in a lifetime experience like none other.
Killer whale kayaking tours san juan islands kayak. Outdoor odysseys offers ecofriendly kayak tours in one of the worlds best orca whale watching areas, close to shore off san juan island and the surrounding waters of the san juan archipelago. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just. We kayak along the base of rocky cliffs, past pebble beaches in search of seals, porpoises, bald eagles, humpback and orca whales.
Of all orca whale sightings in washington state, over 95% occur in just one narrow corridor along the extreme western edge of the san juan islands. The san juan islands are the best place in the world to view killer whales, and viewing them from a kayak is an experience like none other. San juan islands sea kayaking tours can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days or more, and you dont have to be an expert kayaker to enjoy them. This reputation developed from a commitment to the highest level of guest service, and our 2 exclusive sea kayak and whale watch facilities at roche harbor and friday harbor on san juan island.
As members of the san juan island kayak association sjika, we adhere to and promote the below best practice guidelines for wildlife and whale interactions in our region. You will paddle with small groups using only quality sea kayaks and gear, enjoy spending time with our fun, knowledgeable guides and explore a wide variety of island ecosystems and wildlife habitat. Traverse the waters of migrating salmon and keep your eyes peeled for eagles, seals, porpoises, and other wildlife that follow our keystone species of the pacific northwest. We have the most modern and newest fleet of sea kayaks in the san juan islands. San juan island is the center of whale watching in the pacific northwest and therefore friday harbor on san juan island is the best location for departing on a whale watch tour in washington state. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island. San juan island kayak tour in seattle at cloud 9 living gifts. Our safety record is unequaled thanks to our commitment for intensive guide training. San juan island half day kayak tours our most popular. Apr 14, 2016 ethan and alex from eddyline kayaks join up with mystic seas to take part in a whale watching tour in the san juan islands, where they observe orcas, humpback and minke whales. Jun 19, 2018 for decades it has been the routine if you want to kayak with whales to stay to the west side of san juan island along the orca highway and lunch at whale watch park, but that might be changing. San juan island is in the middle of the southern resident orcas federally designated critical habitat and summer feeding and socializing grounds. Transient or biggs, killer whales aka orca whales can often be seen yearround, as well as steller sea lions, harbor seals, porpoise, bald eagles. Kayak san juan islands with discovery sea kayaks in friday harbor, wa.
Kayak with whales san juan islands outdoor odysseys. The waters are quite calm but very cold and you have tides, currents, rocks and wind to contend with if. Half and full day kayaking tours, sunset and bioluminescence kayak tours and camping kayak tours. Afternoon 1 day san juan island kayaking trips we are one of only three companies to offer kayak tours on the west side of san juan island to lime kiln whalewatch state park, the best place in the us to see killer whales. Join us for a paddle, and let us show you why the san juan islands are. Kayak the san juan islands kayakers travel from across the world to paddle in the serene waters that surround san juan island.
Kayak whale watching in the san juan islands, seattle. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island adventures. We occasionally will see minkes whales on our san juan islands whale watching and kayak tours. Killer whale kayaking tours san juan islands kayak with. Few of the available activities in the islands can match the experience of sea kayaking along the meandering coastlines of the san juan islands. San juan island half day kayak tours discovery sea kayaks. San juan island outfitters verified update listing.
Kayak with whales san juan islands outdoor odysseys kayak tours. The san juan islands area is home to approximately 90 orca whales that comprise three pods. Paddling this area offers our guests rugged coastline, expansive ocean views, snow covered mountains, and lots of marine wildlife including orca whales, seals, sea lions, eagles, and more. As the morning ferry glides toward friday harbor, keep an eye out for sea life and birds. Morning tours are great for folks who want to paddle during the most tranquil part of the day. Whale watching season in the san juan islands is just around. Requiring only 4 hours door to door, our san juan island half day kayak tours are the perfect blend of time and adventure.
Our tours depart from custom kayak docks and are led by naturalist guides. Orcas are related to dolphins and tend to be more playful than menacing, however they are wild animals so you should always use common sense and keep a safe distance from the whales at all times. Sea kayak the san juan islands, washington, best american. Ethan and alex from eddyline kayaks join up with mystic seas to take part in a whale watching tour in the san juan islands, where they observe. Sea kayak the san juan islands, washington see trip details for sea kayaking the san juan islands in washington, one of 100 best american adventure trips from national geographic. The outfitters give you a quick lesson in kayaking or paddleboarding and safety before you settle into your vessel. Blackfish waters orca kayak tour kayak with orcas in the johnstone strait, the best place in the world to observe killer whales as they feed on salmon off northern vancouver island. San juan island full day kayak tour small group kayak. Its stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife make it a remarkable place to seek serenity and adventure.
All san juan islands kayaking tours begin from friday harbor on san juan island. Make sure to bring along sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, water and wear. The orcas make their home in the san juans typically from late april through the end of september and sometimes longer. The areas we utilize for our full day kayak tour routes are on the west side and east side of san juan island. More than 500,000 people annually go whale watching in the waters of washington and british columbia around the san juan islands. San juan islands kayaking weekend getaway rei adventures. Select routes with scenic coastlines and abundant wildlife opportunities, this is the best kayak tour for those preferring a shorter kayak trip. Whale watching friday harbor or roche harbor, san juan island. Sea kayak tours in the san juan islands in search of orca. Day 2 kayak the west side of san juan island or whale watch cruise wake up to a breakfast made with creative local ingredients by the chef at your inn.
Day 3 kayak the west side of san juan island or whale watch cruise this mornings breakfast will give you the energy you need for your day on the water. We select the best route for each tour by monitoring the weather conditions and the latest wildlife information. After a midmorning paddle, we will land for lunch and the opportunity for a short hike. San juan islands kayak rentals san juan islands sea kayaking. Soak in the natural beauty of the pacific northwest aboard the finest whale watching vessel on the entire west coast, the island explorer 5. Sea kayaking orcas island wa a san juan getaway vacation spot if youre thinking of kayaking around orcas island and the san juan s you are certainly not alone. Our routes take you where orcas and diverse wildlife dwell, where scenery inspires and where others dont go. Until then, we are working through the project list and getting everything ready to go. A fun guide to sea kayaking tours in the san juan islands. Kayaking in the san juan islands with professional guides. Thousands of people come here each year to experience for themselves the incredible beauty of the islands and to get a glimpse of the abundant wildlife. Orcas island eclipse charters whale and wildlife tours.
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