San Juan Kayak Expeditions

05/10/2024

When the photo is so nice you have to post it twice! Summer 2024 loading...

04/29/2024

Starting our 44th season in the San Juan Islands this week! Time sure does fly, huh?

04/22/2024

Happy Earth Day from Noah! Taking action on environmental protection is more important than ever. What are some ways that you can positively impact your local community?

04/04/2024

Not us posting three days in a row?!

Dreamy yoga spots, accessible only by kayak. Care to join us?

04/03/2024

Our Therm-a-Rest seat cushions make for a cozy ride! Providing lower lumbar support is essential in engaging your core to get the most out of your paddle stroke. Come on out to the San Juan Islands this summer to give it a try.

04/02/2024

Less than a month away until we are doing this again! This is your sign to start planning your summer kayaking trip to the San Juan Islands...

03/20/2024

We still have limited seats available on our July and August Inn-to-Inn tours! Come see the San Juan Islands in all their glory. Beautiful coastline, amazing food, and some of the finest accommodations that the county has to offer highlight this once in a lifetime trip. What are you waiting for??

02/02/2024

Happy Friday! These unseasonably warm winter days in the PNW have us thinking about sweet, sweet summertime. It's just around the corner...

01/02/2024

Happy New Year! If your resolution isn't to adventure more, maybe you should reconsider...

11/27/2023

NEW TOUR ALERT

Thinking about getting into kayak camping but don't know where to start? Our new 2-day Intro to Kayak Camping may be the trip for you. With low milage days, ample time covering the basics and all kayak and camping gear included, this trip makes it very easy to show up and send it! Walk on the ferry with just a backpack and leave the rest to us.

Did we mention a steep locals discount? Give us a call today to start planning!

Link in comments.

11/20/2023

Happy Thanksgiving week! While you are planning your 2024 vacations with friends and family over a big feast on Thursday, we suggest you consider a kayaking trip in the San Juan Islands. We are definitely not biased.

11/09/2023

Bookings for next summer are starting to come in and we are stoked! Join us for our 44th season running multi-day kayak camping trips in the San Juan Islands.

11/06/2023

Nerd Alert!

Bull kelp beds in the in the Salish Sea may be declining! But how fast? And how can we protect them?

Last week went for a paddle with Bob Oxborrow and his ecology methods class from the Friday Harbor Marine Labs to learn about a new protocol for monitoring variations in the surface area of bull kelp beds. The protocol uses kayaks and GPS units to trace the outside of kelp beds and evaluate how much they change over time. We can’t wait to see the results of their week’s work and are so grateful to have talented young scientists seeking to protect the water here in the San Juan Islands!

11/02/2023

Happy November! Just six months away from kayaking season in the San Juan Islands. We will be daydreaming of these views all winter long.

10/31/2023

Why not TREAT yourself to an unforgettable trip to the San Juan Islands? Today is the last day to save $500 on our Inn-to-Inn tour.

Link in comments. This is not a TRICK.

10/27/2023

Considered by virtually everyone to be the highlight of our Inn-to-Inn trip, Pebble Cove Farm on Orcas Island is truly amazing. It is a waterfront four-acre, organic farm overlooking a private cove in West Sound where rescued farm animals spend their days roaming and grazing. They only have five rooms, so we have the entire place to ourselves for two nights. What are you waiting for??

Book now to save $500 through the end of the month!

10/25/2023

Finally going through our photos from the summer and we are swooning. Here is a sneak peak of the absolutely stunning content coming your way over the next few months! Which is your favorite??

10/23/2023

Almost three months have passed since our last post! After a busy summer season, we are thinking about 2024 and super excited to offer six departures for our Inn-to-Inn tour. Save $500 on bookings through the end of October.

07/24/2023

We see lots of cool creatures while floating along the coastline during low tide ⭐️

Come check out all that our intertidal zone has to offer on a tour this summer!

07/12/2023

Spieden Island, off the North end of San Juan Island, is a privately owned wildlife sanctuary. While it's home to mouflon sheep, fallow deer, and Sika deer, it also has some pretty interesting geological features! The Southern side of the island is largely barren with many glacial erratics, while the North side is completely wooded. There are a few possible reasons for this: glacial movements of the last ice age could have removed to the topsoil layer from the South side, and there is also considerably more sun exposure.

07/07/2023

Bull kelp is a significant part of the ecosystem of the Salish Sea and is just a really cool protist. Come on a tour and snack on some while we talk kelp fun facts!

07/06/2023

This baldy is copying Zoolander's Blue Steel look, and we think he's a natural!

There are over 100 nesting pairs of Bald Eagles on the San Juan Islands, so make sure to look to the skies when you're out paddling with us 🦅

07/03/2023

Staff Spotlight: Meet Noah!

Noah is a Washington native and full-time island resident for the last three years. He came out here for his love of kayaking and being on the water, and stayed because of the majestic natural beauty of the area.

Noah is so excited to be able to share the magic of these islands, and his knowledge about them with y'all!

06/29/2023

We've seen some killer views off of Lime Kiln Point this season! These Transient Killer Whales were following our exact Lime Kiln Tour route up the West side of the Island a few days ago and decided to come right up to shore and say hello.

The Transient orca population has been increasing in recent years both because they are a protected species, but also because of a boom in the island's seal population (their main food source). We're excited to see more of these guys throughout the summer!

06/28/2023

Just how deep does bull kelp grow beneath a kayak? Dive down beneath the Salish Sea with us to see (the sea!).

Just how deep does bull kelp grow beneath the kayak? Dive down with us to see!Music by: Bensound.com/royalty-free-musicLicense code: C18QSIJRUIU6WYKG

06/27/2023

Happy National Canoe and Kayak Day! We're taking today to spotlight the newest addition to our fleet: the Seascape Expeditions! Unlike a regular tandem kayak, these boats have an additional bulkheaded center compartment which means we can store more gear (and good food) for our multiday tours! The extra hatch space also improves flotation, stability, and structural strength of the kayak.

06/21/2023

We can’t think of a better way to spend the Fourth of July than out on the water of the San Juans - where your chances of seeing America’s most awe-inspiring and patriotic bird up close are the highest in the Lower 48! 🦅

This could be your future if you book our 5-Day circumnav of Orcas Island, running from July 2-6th. Come hang out with our multi-day lead guide Sean (featured in the second picture), snack on some Bull Kelp, and learn about the geology and wildlife in the area!

We have five spots left on this trip, and we’re offering 50% off the original trip price! Call (360) 378-4436 to book, and we’ll see you there 🌅🐋

06/20/2023

🌊🚣‍♀️ Staff Spotlight: Meet Marit! 🌿🌊

Say hello to Marit, who is leading day trips this summer! Hailing from Montana, Marit has long been drawn to the ocean and is excited to explore the wonders of the San Juan Islands with you all by kayak.

Marit has spent the last four years coordinating a youth development program on farms in Missoula, MT. Whether teaching about edible plants or observing mussels filter feed, she finds joy in every aspect of the environment.

Join Marit on a trip this summer, and you'll be sure to walk away with plenty of fun plant and animal facts to impress your friends and family! See you out there 👋

06/16/2023

What do we think she is trying to say? 🤔 Harbor seals are outspoken kayak supporters here in the Salish Sea! 🌊

These widely known marine mammals have a distinct arched pose when hauled out. While once thought to be quiet, recent studies reveal that male harbor seals produce underwater vocalizations during mating season. They establish territories, defend against rivals, and communicate with females. In addition to underwater vocalizations, they also produce a variety of in-air calls, like this super loud squabble we caught between two individuals up on the rocks last week.

Be sure to give Harbor Seals at least 200-yards of space, even in a kayak, to keep from disturbing them in the wild! *binoculars*

06/15/2023

Had a smashing time with the San Juan Kayak Expeditions 2023 guide team at for their Smash Burger Thursday last week! 🍔✨ We finished our multi-day training circumnavigation of Shaw Island with the best local grinds we could find!

Huge shoutout to chefs Nicole and Jesi at EVER•ELSE for crafting these culinary delights weekly. If you're looking for the ultimate burger experience, make sure to mark your calendars for Smash Burger Thursdays. We pick up and drop off tours right across the street!