Price from:
1199 USD
OUR LONGEST KAYAK CAMPING TRIP IN THE WHALE WATERS!
Available Every Week! • Beginner Friendly • Mon-Fri
Why Choose Sea Quest for your Five Day Kayak Camping Trip on San Juan Island?
- We offer the **lowest priced kayak tours** to the prime wildlife zones along San Juan Island where nearly all whale and wildlife sightings occur.
- Sea Quest has **professionally trained biologist/naturalist guides** capable of providing an educational and safe experience on your kayaking adventure.
- Our tours are **handcrafted for adventure!** We only camp on small remote islands with **abundant eagles, seals and other wildlife**. Our routes include visits to a **National Monument, National Wildlife Refuge, State & County Parks, and possibly a National Historical Park**.
- We paddle the **best routes for kayaking with orca whales** in the US with over 470 killer whales living in the San Juan Islands from Apr-Oct. Note that the odds of seeing whales are highest on our 5 day trip because they offer the **most opportunities to view wildlife**. We also spend more time on the water than any other tour we offer.
- Our tours paddle along **stunning seashores** and feature sensational vistas. Along the way we search for wildlife & **enjoy the natural beauty**.
- We provide the **best and newest kayaks & paddling gear**. Sea Quest only uses high-performance kayaks on multiday tours. We have the best-maintained fleet of modern, comfortable, swift kayaks in the San Juan Islands!
- Sea Quest has the **longest history of any company** operating kayak tours in the prime wildlife zones. Others companies have copied our **wildlife watching success!**
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, instruction and **expert guides**. While camping, **meals provided** include breakfast and dinner. Our **all inclusive** listing price includes **spacious tents** to ensure you will be well rested for adventure. Sleeping bags and pads can be rented for an additional nominal fee - but feel free to bring your own!
Trip Details
Meeting Place: Friday Harbor, San Juan Island.
Look for our van and kayak trailer in the traffic circle adjacent to the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal.
Meeting Time: 11am
On some dates there may be a slight difference in trip start time. Our online reservation system will indicate this if you enter a specific date. **Ask about earlier or later departures if the starting times shown don’t work for you!**
Itinerary:
- Day 1 Itinerary: The van delivers us to a beach facing the **main whale and wildlife watching corridor**. After packing the kayaks, we engage in an hour-long kayaking tutorial and safety briefing, and your guide will help improve your paddling skills right through the kayak expedition. Kayaking time fluctuates from **4 to 6 hours each day**, resulting in daily distances of **8 to 12 miles**. Many floating rest breaks, and one to three daily shore visits keep us invigorated. We explore the **countless isles and reefs** that make up the archipelago and camp at a variety of beautiful marine parks.
- Days 2, 3, 4 Itinerary: After enjoying the **sunrise and the dawn bird chorus**, we meet to discuss our kayaking route for the day. A weather/current check and guest input is crucial for making our daily decision. Our route is very flexible and may involve a partial circumnavigation of San Juan Island or an exploration of the northwest portion of the archipelago. Most days will find us kayaking a good chunk of time in the **primary whale and wildlife watching waters** and the remainder in areas where orcas are seen several times monthly. Stunning views of the **Mount Baker volcano, the Cascade Range, and Olympic Mountains** always surround us. A favorite event of most five day kayak tours is a 5 mile round trip hike to the Turn Point lighthouse atop a magnificent sea cliff used by nesting peregrine falcons. This beautiful vantage point, like several others we may visit, are **famous for sun sets** and sightings of orca whales and porpoises. Evenings may involve a hike, or short paddles to enjoy the sunset or displays of bioluminescence on moonless nights.
- Day 5 Itinerary: After enjoying the **morning sunrise**, we eat breakfast and depart for another wonderful day of sea kayaking. As always, we stick close to the **premier wildlife zones**. After landing we reboard the van for the drive to Friday Harbor.
Finish Time & Place:
Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal between **1:00 and 3:00pm**. This allows you time to catch various departing ferries if you desire to leave the island that evening.
Total Time:
Three days of incredible adventure! Be aware that whales, winds or currents can occasionally delay us! But **there will always be plenty of time to catch one of several departing ferries** if you are planning to leave the island.
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. A **detailed packing list** of camping related household items will be provided after you book your tour!
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 OUR RENDEZVOUS!
Note the start time at the top of this email to arrive on time. 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 ensure all party members are present, wearing paddling clothing, footgear, and sunscreen. Pack gear bags beforehand and be ready to load them. If you have a car on the island, park it **before** the meeting and allow time to walk to the rendezvous location for a timely departure.
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**. We have the finest touring kayaks with bulkheads and airtight compartments for maximum safety, which are roomy enough to store a week's worth of food and tour gear. However, it is important to note that the volume, not weight, is the limiting factor, and you need to stick to the list and select compact equipment.
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
**HIGHLY RECOMMENDED dry bags available for rent from our office.** Email or text 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.
Typically, people bring 4 or 5 bags to store in their kayak, which usually include: 1) sleeping bag, 2) clothes, 3) lunch & snacks, 4) miscellaneous, 5) sleeping pad (most pads are waterproof and don’t require further protection). For optimal organization, we recommend using bags that are 25 liters (approximately 16” by 9" when full & sealed), 10 liters (14” by 8"), and 5 liters (8” by 7”). Larger bags of 30 liters or more usually don’t fit unless only partially filled. Smaller bags make loading your kayak and staying organized easier. Please ensure that you don't exceed the items on this checklist to ensure a comfortable experience. **Aim for under 60 liters of gear.**
Test pack your gear in a waterproof manner before leaving home to avoid surprises or delays at the launch beach. You can use one or two large duffels for easier handling during transit, but we cannot accommodate bulky bags in the sea kayaks. Empty duffels can be left in our shuttle van during your trip, but they must be labeled and may get wet or soiled.
**Tip**: Pack small bags with essential items for paddling such as a sweater, rain jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, snacks, water bottle, and toilet paper. Store them in your cockpit while stowing the rest in sealed compartments accessible only while ashore.
**Please organize your gear beforehand** to ensure a quick loading process at the launch site.
To avoid confusion or misplaced gear during shuttle rides, make sure to **clearly label all of your items with your name.**
##TENT:
**Included by default.**
Sea Quest provides 2-person backpacking-style tents for all guests, so you don't need to pack one. However, if you prefer to bring your own tent, please notify us beforehand. Odd-numbered parties can request a 3-person tent upon advance notice.
##SLEEPING BAG AND PAD:
**HIGHLY RECOMMENDED sleeping bags and pads are available for rent from our office.** Email or text our office to reserve.
- sleeping bag comes with included 25 liter dry bag. There is approximately 10 liters of extra space at the stuff for more personal items should you choose to use it.
- sleeping pads are inflatable or foam. They can be rolled down tightly.
For a comfortable sleeping experience, it is essential to bring a compact synthetic sleeping bag with quick-drying insulation. Down bags are not recommended, and a light summer bag is usually sufficient, although a three-season bag is recommended in spring and fall. We recommend self-inflating or closed-cell sleeping pads with closures/bag to keep them rolled and compact. If you do not have your own sleeping gear, Sea Quest offers rental options for sleeping bags (packaged in dry bags ready to stow) and pads.
##FOOT GEAR:
- 1 pair of kayaking foot gear
- 1 pair of foot gear for use on dry land (sturdy athletic shoes or lightweight hiking shoes are best)
- 2 or more pairs of socks; wool, synthetic or waterproof (no cotton!)
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.
**If you really don't want to get your feet wet we recommend wearing knee high water proof socks (perfect for summer and affordable) or chest waders (in the spring and fall).**
##CLOTHING:
- rain jacket and pants (mainly for wind and spray protection although rain is not unknown in this area--remember that wool and pile clothing does not stop wind or water from penetrating to your skin)
- 2 sweaters (wool or polypropylene pile)
- 2 shirts (quick-drying; long-sleeves strongly recommended for sun protection)
- 1 or 2 pairs of long pants (quick-drying fabric such as polypropylene or light cotton blend; the ability to roll the cuffs up to knee-level is a real advantage and will greatly increase your comfort)
- underwear
- 2 or more pairs of socks (wool or a synthetic wicking material--see notes in "Foot Gear" section)
- large hat (essential for sun protection; be sure that it will stay on your head in the wind)
- light gloves (OPTIONAL for sun and blister protection and improved grip. TIP – don’t bring gloves that have padding such as bicycling or weight-lifting gloves as they will impede your paddle grip!)
- SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR MAY-JUNE & LATE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER -- extra sweater or vest, thermal underwear, warm cap, extra socks, warm gloves, and latex "dishwashing" gloves for kayaking.
- SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR JULY-EARLY SEPTEMBER -- quick-drying shorts, swim suit, and T-shirt
- small towel (OPTIONAL -- viscose-type camp towels work very well for all types of travel)
**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.
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.**
##PERSONAL ITEMS:
- waterproofed gear bags & extra plastic bags (see introductory paragraphs for sizing and instructions)
- cellphone with waterproof case – zip locks work fine!
- spare eyeglasses
- sunglasses (polarized are best for enjoying the underwater views)
- sunscreen & lip protection (number 20 or higher)
- insect repellent (mosquitoes are occasionally a small problem; a DEET blend is best - avoid aerosols!)
- pocket knife
- ear plugs (if you are a light sleeper other campers and nocturnal creatures could be distracting)
- small flashlight (headlamps are best for camping or kayaking - don't forget spare batteries)
- small water bottle (one or two quart - enough for day use - we will provide group water supply for refills)
- toilet paper (occasionally we stop on a beach without an outhouse; bring a bag for packing out after use)
- personal toilet items (pre-moistened towelettes or sanitizer, toothbrush, moisturizing lotion, etc.)
- small first aid kit (We provide a tour first-aid kit but we recommend you bring waterproof band-aids, waterproof cotton adhesive tape for blisters, Pepto-Bismol tablets, an analgesic/anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen, seasickness medication, etc. Bring an "EpiPen" kit if you have a severe insect allergy. Use your best judgment! Don’t forget your prescription medications.)
- **beverages** in recyclable containers (Beer or wine for dinner, iced tea or other powdered drink mixes for lunch and between meals. We provide drinking water throughout the trip and fresh-brewed locally-roasted coffee, hot tea, and hot cocoa at each breakfast and dinner)
- **lunches** (You are responsible for bringing a lunch for each paddling day; avoid over-packaged items; no refrigeration is available but many perishables do very well in the cool kayak storage: fresh or dried fruits, carrots, celery, crackers, bagels, bread, jerky, summer sausage, smoked fish, cheese, cream cheese, unsweetened yogurt, nut butters, jam, etc. Your imagination is the limit! Friday Harbor has plenty of grocers and delicatessens that stock these items and much more – the selection is excellent. Meat eaters may want to take into account our vegetarian menus at breakfast and dinner.)
- snack foods (and maybe some special treats to share with the group)
- money and documents (The safest place for your wallet is with you in a waterproof bag. Bring personal identification, medical insurance card, credit cards, etc.)
##OPTIONAL PERSONAL ITEMS:
- seat cushion or lumbar pad (Most people are very comfortable in the molded bucket seats and adjustable backrests of our kayaks, but some people prefer extra padding or support. People under 5’2” sometimes find their paddle stroke is awkward without a booster pad beneath. Please notify us if your pelvis/hips are too wide to fit in a commercial coach airline seat with the armrests in the down position as this is the approximate size of the bucket seats. We are usually able to provide a wider seat with advance notice.)
- fishing tackle (Only appropriate for experienced kayak fishers! Trolling for humpback salmon in August- September with pink lures is good. Bottom fishing is nearly impossible due to strong currents.)
- binoculars (What naturalist would be without their binoculars? Very useful for navigating, star-gazing, and wildlife watching. Naturally, waterproof models are best!)
- camera & extra battery (expensive cameras such as SLRs should be stowed in a waterproof hardcase when not worn by their neck strap)
- reading or writing materials
- solar cellphone charger or battery pack
-tip money **(tipping is greatly appreciated but not expected. we suggest 20%).**
##SEA QUEST PROVIDES:
Kayaks, personal floatation devices (“life jackets”), spray skirts, and other kayaking equipment. Two-person backpacking tents are normally shared, but solo travelers may request their own. (If you prefer to bring your own tent, make sure it is compact and let us know in advance.) Cook stove, dishes, utensils, mugs, dishwashing supplies, group water supplies, etc. Breakfasts and dinners are provided and cooked fresh in camp, but you must supply your own lunches. Rapidly changing sea current directions and the potential of passing whale pods may in some situations necessitate very short lunch stops. Therefore, it is not practical to bring lunches that require cooking. Bring easy to prepare lunches that can be stowed quickly. Sleeping bags and pads are available to rent if you request them in advance.
#A SAN JUAN ARCHIPELAGO BOOKSHELF: RECOMMENDED READING AND RESOURCES
##CHARTS OF THE AREA
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "Strait of Juan de Fuca to Strait of Georgia." Map #18421. You can purchase a waterproof edition from us. They must be ordered in advance and your guide will present it to you at the beach.
##SUGGESTED BOOKS:
Adams, Evelyn. 1995. San Juan Islands wildlife: a handbook for exploring nature. (A joyful personal tour of the San Juan Island’s natural treasures. Includes profiles of many of the regions leading natural history authorities and personalities, including one of our founders, Mark Lewis.)
Arnold, D. 1986. Tides and currents.
Atkinson, S.R., and F.S.Sharpe. 1985. Wild plants of the San Juan Islands. (By two former Sea Quest staffers.)
Bascom, W. 1964. Waves and beaches.
Brower, K. 1973. The Starship and the Canoe. (Fascinating account of George Dyson's epic kayaking journeys. A true story, it has inspired more people to get into sea kayaking than any other book).
Dando, M., et al, 1996. SeaLife: A Complete Guide to the Marine Environment. (This book is awesome! Great text, illustrations and color plates – it’s the whole package.)
Dyson, G. Baidarka. 1986. (A fantastic historical, cultural, and artistic view of the evolution of sea kayaks. Author is the subject of Brower's book listed above.)
Haley, D. ed., 1986. Marine Mammals of the eastern North Pacific and Arctic Waters.
Hoyt, Eric. 1984. The whale watcher's handbook.
Kozloff, E. 1973. Seashore life of Puget Sound, the Strait of Georgia, and the San Juan Archipelago.
Lamb, A., and P.Edgell. 2010. Coastal fishes of the Pacific Northwest.
Leatherwood, Stephen. 1983. Sierra Club handbook of whales and dolphins.
Lewis, M.G., and F.S.Sharpe. 1987. Birding in the San Juan Islands. (Written by our founder; not a field identification guide--intended to help locate birds and understand more than just their names.)
Minasian, S., K. Balcomb, and L. Foster. 1984. The world's whales.
Mondragon, J. 2003. Seaweeds of the Pacific Coast: Common Marine Algae from Alaska to Baja California.
National Geographic Society. 1987. Field guide to the birds of North America. 2nd edition. (Along with Sibley’s guide, the two best field identification guides for the continent.)
National Park Service, 2012. Outposts of Empire: The Royal Marines and the Joint Occupation of San Juan Island. (A good account of the “Pig War”, an event that almost led to a clash of global powers.)
O'Clair, R. & S.Lindstrom. 2000. North Pacific Sea Weeds.
Osborne, R.W., J.Calombokidis, and E.Dorsey. 1988. Marine mammals of Greater Puget Sound. (Best marine mammal guide for the area although much new information has been learned since!)
Pasachoff, Jay. 1988. Peterson first guide to astronomy. (A great guide to the night sky.)
Pojar, J. 2004. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast. (The best pocket guide on plants for this region.)
Rogers, Joel. 1992. The Hidden Coast. (Big photo book by a kayaker based in the Pacific Northwest.)
Snively, G. 1978. Exploring the seashore in British Columbia, Washington and Oregon.
Stein, J. 2000. Exploring Coast Salish Prehistory: The Archaeology of San Juan Island.
Strickland, R. 1983. The fertile fjord. (Fascinating look at plankton and their vital role for all life on Earth.)
Suttles, W. 1987. Coast Salish Essays. (Few books exist on the tribes that inhabit this region and their history.)
Waaland, J.R. 1977. Common seaweeds of the Pacific Coast.
Vernon S. 2010. Rainshadow World: A Naturalist's Year in the San Juan Islands. (Very well written by a keen natural history observer.)
Yates, S. 1988. Marine wildlife of Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and Strait of Georgia. (Less detailed than some others but very compact.)
