Price from:
99 USD
RENT KAYAK(S) IN FRIDAY HARBOR WITH NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!
All Ages! • Available Every Day! • All Group Sizes! • 3 hours
Why Choose Sea Quest for your Beginner Half Day Kayak Rental?
- Best rental kayak prices in Friday Harbor for **high-quality safe and stable sea kayaks**.
- **Best kayaking region** on San Juan Island for novice paddlers.
- All Kayaks are **GPS tracked** to ensure customers stay in safe and protected waters.
- GPS tracking units have **capsize detection** and mobile notifications to our office!
- New tandem **kayaks designed with rudders** which makes steering a breeze.
- **No car-topping necessary!** We can trailer kayaks to the beach and save you time and trouble!
Sea Quest Kayak Tours Provides
- Sea kayaks, all related sea kayaking trip gear, safety equipment, transportation to and from Friday Harbor and the launch beach if desired.
- Chart – map of safe paddling zones.
- GPS unit which alerts you if you are to far from land.
- Rescue Float.
- Emergency signal streamer.
- Bilge pump.
- VHF Radio
Rental Details
Qualifications
**No prior experience is required but is highly suggested** Our beginner rental routes are set so that the paddling environment is safe and enjoyable.
Meeting Place: Friday Harbor, San Juan Island.
If you have your own rack system you may transport the kayak(s) yourself from our base of operations. Otherwise we can meet you at the beach or pick you up from town for our van and kayak trailer in the traffic circle adjacent to the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal.
Meeting Time: Variable most rentals at 8am, 11am or 2pm.
**Ask about earlier or later pickups if the starting times shown don’t work for you!** We are very flexible.
Finish Time & Place: Variable.
- Boat(s) must be returned to the beach or our base of operations **approximately 3 hours** after you first acquire the kayaks.
- Make sure to communicate regarding custom time pickups/drop offs with our office.
Total Time: 3 hours.
Be aware that whales, winds or currents can occasionally delay our other kayak rentals/tours so we may not always instantly available for shuttles! But we try are hardest to be responsive and **to communicate effectively** in regards to our logistical/shuttle coordination.
What to Bring
Beach clothing, beach foot wear, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and lunch. Bring a hat, warm sweater and rain jacket if cool, cloudy, windy or rainy.
Booking Notes
Thank you for booking our sea kayaking tour! Please complete the following steps:
1. Confirm your transportation and meeting time, and **make any necessary ferry reservations.**
2. Ensure everyone in your party completes our Liability Waiver and Questionnaire: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/3GAULQagt5BKb0XDWpC5
Share this link with all members of your party so we have complete information. Be sure to share with them your nine digit booking # number found in this email.
3. Review the packing list and **read the entire email.**
We're excited to have you join us on the tour!
##DO NOT MISS THE RENDEZVOUS!
Note the start time at the top of this email to arrive on time. If you requested a ride to and from the beach with kayaks or SUPS, our van, marked with a Sea Quest sign, will meet you near the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal at [**Memorial Park**](https://goo.gl/maps/HKezroEf5FLiux3fA). Look for us at the traffic circle on the waterfront, with a large tree and benches in the middle. If we're a few minutes late due to ferry traffic, please don't panic. Call our office if the van hasn't arrived within 10 minutes of your trip start time.
Please have all members of your party present, with paddling clothing, footgear, and sunscreen already on as we go straight to the beach. Have your gear bags pre-packed and ready to load. If you have a car on the island, you must park it before the meeting and allow time to walk to the rendezvous location for a timely departure
If you requested a kayak or SUP delivery our shuttle vehicle meets you at Jackson Beach. Park next to the [**gazebo**](https://goo.gl/maps/81Wi7GjMntgvLwms7). After parking walk to the [**launch location**](https://goo.gl/maps/ph2VyU3QC6d92Xnq6).
If you will be picking up the kayak or SUP meet us at our [**base of operations**](https://goo.gl/maps/12sYQmcY1hL2W6BL7). Please park in front of the rolling gate on the left-hand side so you don’t block the entrance completely.
If you arrive more than 15 minutes late to the rendezvous, the trip will depart without you and no refunds will be issued. Please plan accordingly and arrive on time. Guests who purchased trip protection will instead receive a trip credit.
##PARKING OF VEHICLES:
Please do not bring a vehicle to the meeting location as there is no parking for cars in the traffic circle next to our van, and it will block traffic, resulting in a ticket. Instead, use the loading/unloading zone in front of the ferry terminal, which is about 100 feet away from our meeting location, to drop off your gear and have your partner watch it while you quickly depart to find a legal parking place. It is essential to park your vehicle BEFORE our scheduled rendezvous time as we cannot delay the entire group’s departure for this activity.
Day parking can be found a few blocks in any direction from the ferry terminal where parking signs indicate an 8-hour limit or the parking is unmarked by signs. For multi-day parking, you may need to go a few extra blocks further from the terminal to find parking spaces that are unmarked by limit signs. Technically, the limit in the unmarked areas is 72 hours, but Sea Quest has found that parking in these locations is usually safe for 5 days or longer. Parking is generally safe in Friday Harbor. You can download a parking map of Friday Harbor by clicking on this [**link**](https://www.sea-quest-kayak.com/downloads/FridayHarborParkingMap.pdf).
##DO NOT MISS THE FERRY!
- Don't miss your ferry if you're arriving on the day of your tour or you may lose your reservation.
- Check our [**travel advice webpage**](https://www.sea-quest-kayak.com/kayaking-san-juan-islands/travel-san-juan-island/) if you're not familiar with the ferries or travel in Washington.
- For those arriving by ferry, make sure to catch a ferry that will get you to the island in time to meet the group.
- Parking reservations are required for vehicles, but foot passengers do not need reservations.
- It is recommended to park on the mainland and travel as a foot passenger to save time and money.
- Allow one hour for ticketing, parking, and boarding.
- Visit the [**Washington State Ferries website**](https://wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/scheduledetailbyroute.aspx?route=ana-sj-sid) for updated schedule and fare information.
##EXTRA BAGGAGE
Leave unnecessary baggage in your vehicle or hotel as there is limited storage in our van which may get wet or misplaced. **However, you can store a few labeled items at your own risk**. Make sure to label ALL baggage including field gear with your name to avoid loss. Using dry bags that look alike can cause confusion, so labels are recommended.
##DO YOU HAVE TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Travel insurance is strongly recommended to protect your trip investment and yourself while traveling. This insurance safeguards against the unexpected and covers trip cancellation, interruption, delay, accident/sickness, medical evacuation, baggage delay, and more. Children traveling with an insured parent are covered free. Visit our [**website**](https://www.sea-quest-kayak.com/information-kayaking/vacations-kayak-travel-insurance/) to learn more about the benefits of travel insurance.
# KAYAKING EQUIPMENT LIST
Be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions during your trip. Avoid relying on forecasts beyond 24 hours as weather can be unpredictable in our maritime climate. The motto for sea kayakers is to **"hope for the best, but prepare for the worst!**
**Sea Quest Kayak Tours provides top-quality paddling and safety equipment**, including the finest touring kayaks with bulkheads and airtight compartments for maximum safety.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you have any special needs or requirements related to the kayak seating arrangement. In particular, **inform us if your pelvis/hips cannot fit in a commercial airline coach seat with the armrests in the down position or if you have a leg length inseam of 36” or longer.** This will help us ensure that you are provided with the appropriate kayak seating arrangement.
##Dry Bags
**Dry bags are available for rent.** Email our office to reserve.
To keep your gear dry during the trip, pack all of it in a waterproof bag or container. Dry bags made for rafting and canoeing are preferred, but not necessary. You can also use a plastic garbage or grocery bag as a liner inside your day pack or tote bag. Do not put the plastic bag around the outside of your gear as it may develop leaks. After loading your equipment, twist the plastic bag into a gooseneck, tie it off with a loose overhand knot, and then close the outer bag.
##FOOT GEAR:
- one pair of suitable kayaking foot gear and optional socks made of wool or synthetic materials per person.
Please note that you will be wading up to your knees when launching and landing the kayaks, and our beaches are mostly rocky or cobble. Therefore, it's essential to wear appropriate foot gear that protects your feet from rocks and barnacles. **NO bare feet or flip-flops!** The best options for mid-summer paddling are water shoes, old sneakers, or neoprene booties with reinforced soles. Sandals with ankle/heel straps (such as Tevas, Chacos, and Keens) are popular during warm weather, but they may allow gravel to get between your toes and under your foot, causing discomfort, especially while carrying gear or kayaks.
Rubber boots are not recommended as water inevitably pours over the tops. Wool socks can be worn inside any footwear to improve warmth and reduce chafing, and we recommend wearing them during cool weather.
##CLOTHING:
- Rain jacket and pants for wind and spray protection (remember that wool and pile clothing does not stop wind or water from penetrating to your skin)
- 1 sweater made of wool or polypropylene pile depending on temperatures
- 1 quick-drying shirt with long sleeves recommended for sun protection
- 1 pair of quick-drying shorts and/or pants made of polypropylene or light cotton blend depending on temperature (the ability to roll the cuffs up to knee-level is an advantage and will greatly increase your comfort)
- Hat or visor for essential sun protection (be sure that it will stay on your head in the wind)
- Optional light gloves for sun and blister protection and improved grip.
- **Additional items for cooler or rainy days**, especially in May/June and late September/October, include an extra sweater, thermal underwear, a warm cap, extra socks, warm gloves, and latex "dishwashing" gloves to keep your hands dry. It's important to have these items on hand to stay warm and comfortable during your kayaking trip.
**Please do not bring cotton sweatshirts or denim for wearing in the kayaks.** Cotton is not suitable for outdoor wear as it is uncomfortable when wet, takes a long time to dry, and draws heat from the body. Instead, please bring wool, pile, and some synthetic fabrics that provide insulation while wet, dry rapidly, and are safe materials for outdoor wear. For warm, sunny weather, lightweight cotton clothes such as long-sleeved shirts and long pants are acceptable.
##PERSONAL ITEMS:
- sunglasses & sunscreen (essential for sun protection)
- water bottle (one or two quart – bring them full!)
- lunch and snacks
- cellphone with waterproof case – zip locks work fine!
- toilet paper (some beaches don’t have outhouses; include a plastic bag for packing out after use)
- binoculars, camera & extra battery (optional, but most people bring these; expensive cameras should be protected by a waterproof hardcase if not worn on a neck strap)
-tip money *(tipping is greatly appreciated but not expected. we suggest 20%).*
It's crucial to come prepared for your outdoor adventure to ensure it's both successful and enjoyable. **Bringing appropriate clothing is essential, as it's always cooler and breezier on the water.**
