Three Day San Juan Island… (trip)

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Three Day San Juan Island Kayak Trips: Kayaking With Orca Whales

  • Friday Harbor, WA, United States
  • Boats, Barges & Small Ship Cruises
Northwest, Washington, United States

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Period offered: May-October. The provider (view their profile) can provide you with specific departure dates, final prices, and other information.


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from $529* per person3 DaysMay-October
Basic accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Sea Quest Expeditions 12 people max
If you like savoring the full cycle of sunrise to sunset in a single day, camp on small islands, and relax to starry skies and meteorite showers, you'll enjoy our three-day kayaking tour in the San Juan Islands. Excellent weather, abundant whales and wildlife, and hundreds of islands conspire to make this the ultimate sea kayaking trip and camping adventure, especially for first-timers.

This tour is similar to our two-day San Juan Islands kayak trip, but having an extra day sandwiched in the middle of the itinerary imparts a much more relaxed feel to the experience. It may not seem significant, but we notice our guests really unwind on that middle day, beginning with the dawn chorus of bird song and ending with the hooting of owls at bedtime. For one day at least, you won’t have to think about planes, ferries, and automobiles. The three-day kayak trip is our most popular camping tour in the San Juans.

Scenery, wildlife, and orca whale watching is suberb on this trip, like all of our camping adventures in the San Juan Islands. Each extra day spent in nature improves your chances of seeing killer whales, perhaps multiple times, or seeing some of the rarer inhabitants. Orca whales have been seen on as many as 80% of these tours in July in some years. Read our two-day kayak trip description to learn more about features common to all of our camping tours.

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Locations visited/nearby

Northwest, Washington, United States

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Itinerary

Day 1 Itinerary: Prepare and load the kayaks at the beach. A one hour kayaking lesson follows, ensuring that everyone is ready to launch. Your guide will continually refine your skills throughout the kayak adventure. We begin by kayaking straight into the primary orca whale watching zone and will be alert for dorsal fins. Paddling northward from San Juan Island, we investigate plentiful islets, rocks, and reefs with abundant wildlife. Kayaking time varies from 4 to 6 hours, traveling 7 to 12 miles per day determined by sea conditions and group desire. Frequent floating rest breaks, and one or two shore visits keep us recharged. Weather and currents permitting, we spend the night at our gorgeous and private Orca Camp.

Day 2 Itinerary: Sunrise, then a carefree day of exploration in our sea kayaks. Again we'll travel through important killer whale and porpoise habitat. There are many beautiful sights along the way, including views of three mountain ranges: the Olympics, North Cascades, and Coast Range. Options include circumnavigating Stuart or Johns islands if the currents and winds permit it, or taking it a bit easier by paddling to nearby beaches and waiting for passing killer whales. We often hike 5½ miles round trip to a picturesque lighthouse perched high on a sea 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 Itinerary: After the final sunrise of the trip we strike out towards San Juan Island. While weaving through the outer islands, many included in the San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge, we hold to the killer whales favorite corridors. Back on San Juan Island the courtesy van retrieves us to town.
Finish Time & Place: Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal between 2:00 and 4:00pm. Several ferry departures will be available to return you to the mainland if that is your plan.

More information from Sea Quest Expeditions: