Sea Kayak San Juan Islands, Washington

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Nothing is more symbolic of the grandeur and beauty of the Pacific Northwest than Washington’s San Juan Islands. Easily accessible from Seattle and Vancouver, BC, there are 172 islands in the San Juan archipelago that sit between the Cascade and Olympic Mountains. However, the majority of people reside on just four islands: San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island, and the less inhabited Shaw Island (if you want to spend the night it will have to be at the campground on the island). There is ferry service between those four islands and they all offer options for kayaking from the multi-day tours provided by adventure companies to the more remote and rugged alternatives found off of Shaw Island. The islands are also home to an abundance of wildlife; most notable are the Orca whales. What better way to get a close look at one of these whales than by kayak? The best time to see an Orca is in July, though there have been some spotted by kayakers as early as May. It’s probably best to go with a guide since they know where they can be found. Other wildlife that can be seen when kayaking on the pristine blue waters surrounding the San Juan Islands includes Bald Eagles, sea lions, porpoises, and Great Blue Herons. The best months for kayaking are typically June through early September, but there’s a special serenity that can be found getting out into the calm waters just before the season starts in May and as it closes after Labor Day.

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