San Juan Islands Kayak Tour: Exclusive Shoreline Exploration
4.9
64 Ratings
Anacortes
Embark on an exclusive San Juan Islands kayak tour and explore the hidden shorelines of Burrows Island. Save time and money by avoiding ferry hassles and maximize your time on the water. Encounter wildlife and enjoy the comfort of professionally trained guides.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- San Juan Islands - In 2013 the San Juan Islands National Monument was created. It is a unique area consisting of over 450 islands and countless rocks and reefs. What makes the San Juan Islands National Monument so special is the outstanding scenery and incredible diversity of animal species, all located in relative proximity to major population centers in both Canada and Washington State.
Kayaking in the San Juan Islands is perhaps the best way to get an intimate look at what the place has to offer. You are traveling at a walking pace and so it is easy to notice the details more clearly. Your guides are familiar with the area and love to help you spot interesting sea life, as well as tell stories of the rich cultural history of this little corner of the Pacific Northwest.
Join us!
What's Included
- Comprehensive sea kayaking gear and safety equipment provided
- Expert guidance from professionally trained guides
- Inclusive of all fees and taxes
What's Not Included
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Sun protection (sunglasses, hat, sunscreen)
- Personal clothing for the weather. (We do have some loaner jackets and sweaters)
- $25pp for additional participants
Additional Information
We hold the exclusive privilege of being the single kayak tour provider with the access to lead expeditions to Burrows Island. Get ready to discover remarkable coastlines seldom seen by island tourists.
Save your valuable time and money!
Being with us, you don’t need to bother about the inconvenience of taking a ferry to San Juan Island. Anacortes, stationed on Fidalgo Island, boasts two bridges that connect us to the mainland.
Since you can directly drive to our location, your time spent on the water is extended. Various tour companies on other islands often incorporate extensive shuttle rides which cut short the actual kayaking time and limit wildlife encounters.
Individual kayaks could be rented by participants at an extra cost of $25pp. Participants must be 18 years or older. (Needs to be requested beforehand and is contingent on availability.)
Our skilled professional guides look after every detail to guarantee your comfort.
- Participants over 265 pounds may not be comfortable in the kayaks for the duration of the trip. Please call if you have questions.
- The kayaks can accommodate people up to 6 feet, 5 inches. If you have very long legs then please call before booking.
- Participants under 18 years old must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
- If you have children under 6 years old then please call before booking so that we can be sure to put you on an appropriate departure.
- DUE TO COVID-19 WE CANNOT PLACE STRANGERS INTO TANDEM KAYAKS TOGETHER. IF YOU ARE A SOLO TRAVELER THEN YOU WILL NEED TO BE FIT ENOUGH TO PADDLE YOUR OWN SINGLE KAYAK. Please call with questions or concerns.
- PLEASE CALL US AFTER BOOKING. Due to the nature of booking on a third-party site, and our small group size, we highly recommend giving us a quick call after you book to make sure that your preferred departure time works for you. During the busiest days we often run full. In the unlikely event that your preferred trip is already full then we will definitely get you out on a trip leaving at a similar time. We just don’t want to cause you any disappointment. Thank you!
- If you have serious medical conditions then please consult with your physician before signing up.
- If you are feeling unwell then please choose another day to join us, after you are feeling better
Location
2009 Skyline Way
Skyline Way
Our office is in the Skyline Marine Center. Look for the blue kayak mounted over the garage door.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(64 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Denisebh3511wx
Sep 14, 2023
Never Disappoints! - My husband and I rented a double kayak. We try to do this paddle every summer. The paddle is gorgeous and as a bonus we saw quite a few seals and a few bay porpoises. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable kayaking and about the area. I would highly recommend this tour. Never disappoints!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Juliehp6736ps
Sep 4, 2023
Saw a Sea Lion!!! - My friend and I went on the early 3 hour tour. The trip far exceeded expectations. Our trip was at high tide, and we still saw multiple groups of harbor seals in the water or sun bathing, porpoises, and here's the 5 star sighting - A Stellar Sea Lion in front of us and behind our boat, with its big huge head, and hiss like exhalation! Leo, our wonderful guide, made sure we safely travelled around Burrows Island as we ventured on the Rosario Straits side, and he was an excellent navigator, and he knows a lot about sea life and geology as well. The other participant actually ended up buying her kayak! That's how good the tour was... We have kayaked many times before, and this trip rocked!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R1766dasusang
Aug 24, 2023
An Unforgettable Kayaking Adventure for a First -Timer and Non-Swimmer - A MUST Experience - My husband and I recently had a fantastic Kayaking experience with the Anacortes Kayaking team. As a first-timer and non-swimmer, our guide, Nathan, made sure I felt safe and comfortable throughout the entire trip. They provided all the necessary equipment, including a life jacket, and gave a thorough safety briefing before we set off. The scenery was breathtaking, and the calm waters made it easy for me to get the hang of kayaking. Nathan was always nearby, ready to offer assistance or answer any questions. Overall, it was a fantastic experience that I highly recommend. The staff's professionalism and attention to safety made me feel at ease, and look forward to our next Kayaking adventure
Review provided by Tripadvisor
N4545mphannahb
Aug 23, 2023
A highlight of our trip! - We had an amazing time on our 3 hour kayak trip! We were the only ones in our group so it was a bit of a private tour! Our guide, Ben, was amazing and was full of knowledge, which we loved! He was very educated and aware of the different tides and currents and that made for a really amazing trip! We saw 2 eagles, one of which caught a fish right in front of us! A lot of really cool tide pool creatures since the tide was low, and tons of curious harbor seals! As east coasters, we had a really great time learning about the ecology of the area and Ben was really excited to teach us everything he knew! Could not have asked for a better experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Judy
Aug 19, 2023
Celebrating 80 in style!! - Eight women got together on this adventure to celebrate our adventurous friends big 80th Birthday. It was a fun and fitting way to celebrate. Anacortes Kayaks did an amazing job taking care of us and providing an interesting and fun trip. Several of us were experienced kayakers, some had just a little and a couple of newbies from Florida joined our group. Our guide made sure we all had a safe and exciting day. All of us would highly recommend Anacortes Kayaks for a special treat or just a great paddle.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
664jennifere
Aug 10, 2023
A must for all travelers!! - Unforgettable paddling experience! Blake was so knowledgeable about the ecology of the area; he answered all our questions with enthusiasm and care. We saw 4 eagles, 2 porpoises, and jumping salmon. I would highly recommend this trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Holmie221b
Aug 5, 2023
Great Kayak Tour! - We had a great time on the 3hr kayak from Anacortes. Our guide was Tim and he was super friendly and made the experience really enjoyable! I would definitely recommend this tour, the views are spectacular and this company has always been a great choice for my family and I in the past:)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Katrinus
Jul 30, 2023
Lovely afternoon out on the water - Our 9 year old was excitedly waiting to kayak and she was not disappointed! As a family of 4 we were put in 2 double kayaks while a family with their young son were in a tandem. Those who had kayak experience chose to go in singles. The gear was all clean and in good condition; getting it on provided some laughs amongst us novices.
The waters around Burrows Island were calm and made for beautiful paddling; crossing from the marina was not as challenging as I expected too. Our two guides made sure everyone knew what to do and kept a watchful eye on the group to ensure safe crossings. Ben and Nate were informative and chatty during the trip but equally allowed you to enjoy the peace away from the group, always keeping an eye on everyone especially as we tended to spread out. My son had trouble putting the rudder pedals in and needed help at sea (14 y/o user error). Ben kept him calm and talked him through fixing it, staying with us to catch the group back up. It seemed clear to me that Nate had planned to paddle with the currents supporting us based on the time of day and the mixed abilities of the group which provided a safe and really pleasant afternoon.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Legionofsentientcelz
Jul 24, 2023
The bioluminescence is a bucket-list item. - The bioluminescence tour was truly magical.
I’ve gone twice and had a complete blast. The guides gave insightful lectures on Bowman Bay’s natural habitats and wildlife as well as enriching tales of First Nation folklore to pass the time as the Sun went down. Once the stars came out, the bioluminescent plankton gradually rose to the surface, and once in complete darkness, they completely illuminated the waves in specks of glowing turquoise with each splash of the ore.
Words of advice: arrive - if you can - on an evening with no moon and no wind.
1. A moonless night will allow the plankton to appear to shine brighter.
2. When there is high wind, the majority of the plankton dive to deeper waters and don’t return until several days after the winds are gone.
Regardless, even on days in which the plankton are mostly hiding out, it is a bucket-list event that is well worth staying up late. At its most luminous, it will be a core memory you’ll try to share with as many loved ones that are willing to participate.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Angela_l
Sep 7, 2023
Close encounter with seals - Our guide was pleasant and knowledgeable. The scenery was beautiful, and we saw several seals including a baby swimming close to us!
Review provided by Viator
More activities from this operator
