Today will be a mullti-adventure day consisting of hiking in the morning in Deception Pass, taking the ferry to Friday Harbor and whale watching in the Puget Sound! Deception Bay is a beautiful park right on the ocean, so the views on the trail are exceptional. After we get our morning hiking fix in, we will head to the ferry terminal in Anacortes to catch the noon ferry to Friday Harbor. Upon arrival in Friday Harbor, we will drop off our luggage at the hotel and then go back to the harbor to seek out the famous orcas!  

The 3-4 hour whale-watching tour provides fantastic opportunities to see all the San Juans have to offer. Our on-board Marine Naturalist will provide a glimpse into the local wildlife, ecology, and geology as well as answering all your questions. We will be in search of orcas, eagles, seals, and more!    

Following our exhilarating tour of the waters around the San Juan’s, we’ll have time to settle into our Friday Harbor hotel before our welcome dinner at a lovely local restaurant.  

Hiking: ~2.5 hours, moderate, 4.8 miles

Accommodations: Hotel, Friday Harbor 

Meals: Welcome Dinner

It’s your first big day on the open water! You’ll be paired up into kayaking teams of two and loaded down with a share of the camping gear, food, and your personal items in your expedition style sea kayaks. Your guides will review kayaking techniques, safety, and navigation before you set out.  

We embark from a San Juan Island beach and paddle north, kayaking along the picturesque Haro Strait with views of the Canadian Gulf Islands to the west. You’ll want to keep an eye out for whales and other wildlife chasing the Fraser River bound salmon. After paddling for a couple of hours along the rocky, tidally rich coastlines of the San Juan and Henry Islands, we’ll stop for lunch prepared by your guide and chef. After refueling, we’ll make our way to our island where we will set up camp (note: the exact island we are camping at is yet to be determined).    

The campsites are nestled in a forest of red barked madronas, cedar, and Douglas fir trees. After camp is set up you can relax while your guide prepares a hearty dinner. Life doesn’t get much better than sitting at a scenic, secluded waterfront campsite, sipping a glass of wine, and eating gourmet appetizers, after a hearty day of paddling. The short, easy hike to catch the sunset will be worth it.     

Paddling: Approximately 5 hours and 7-10 miles 

Accommodations: Backcountry camping 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

With our basecamp established, we will check out some of the neighboring islands, including lunch and more details about the beauty and uniqueness of the area. You’ll have plenty of kayaking time, hiking time, and relaxation time over the course of the day. Don’t be surprised to catch a glimpse of the seals sunning on the rocks, the orcas looking for their next meal, or the eagles surveying the area.    

Back at camp you can take a hike or relax while your guide prepares another gourmet meal. You’ll finish your evening by the campfire and under the light of the stars enjoying the time with your newfound friends. If we’re lucky, our guides will test us with some of their best riddles.  

Paddling and Hiking: Varies, but a full day mix of both! 

Accommodations: Backcountry Camping 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

In the morning we’ll pack up our little backcountry home and load up our kayaks to paddle back to Roche Harbor.  By this time, you’re a pro at sea kayaking and paddling is second nature. We’ll make our way back across the open water while still keeping our eyes peeled for seals basking in the sun on rocks and enjoying one last artfully prepared lunch before completing your trip.  

Once back to Friday Harbor, you might have the chance to grab a quick shower at the marina before departing to Anacortes (it depends on how fast we paddle if there is time for showers). We will catch the afternoon ferry back to the mainland and begin our drive to the Seattle Airport. Plan your flights for 6:00pm or after.

Paddling: Approximately 5 hours and 7-10 miles 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks