ABOUT THE ISLANDS Washington's San Juan Islands
The evergreen shores and often pristine marine environment of the hundreds of islands making up the San Juan archipelago are known throughout the world for their unsurpassed beauty.
Today these boundary waters between the U.S. San Juan Islands and the Canadian Gulf Islands(known as the Salish Sea) represent one of the highest-density marine wildlife viewing areas in the world! BIRDING
WHALE WATCHING BULL ORCA "UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL" In addition, my three and four day trips traverse a popular minke whale feeding ground and explore channels inhabited by Dall's and harbor porpoise. Other wildlife you may see: Common to occasional sightings: harbor seal, mink, raccoon, deer, big-horned sheep(imported), Sitka deer(imported), prong-horned antelope(imported) and red-tailed fox. Occasional to rare sightings: California sea lions, stellar sea lions, gray whales, elephant seals. "After all the other things we'd seen, the Orcas were icing on the cake! The memories of their glistening backs, the metallic 'whoosh' of their breathing, the newborn calf, will be with me forever. And they were so close!"
JUNE 30, 2007 FOUR DAY TRIP
The San Juan Islands lie in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains and are often referred to as the "Blue Hole" and the "Banana Belt" for their predominance of dry, sunny weather with only occasional cloudy or rainy days. Temperatures range from daytime highs of 70-80 degrees (Fahrenheit) to nighttime lows of 50-60 degrees (Fahrenheit). Spring and Fall temperatures are usually cooler by 5-10 degrees (Fahrenheit) with a somewhat greater chance of rain. Winds may be strong but are usually light to moderate.  SUNSET ON THE CANADIAN BORDER
GETTING HERE From Seattle/Tacoma International Airport you may fly directly to Friday Harbor via NW Seaplanes, Kenmore Air. You may take the Airporter Shuttle or rent a car and drive to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal which has regularly scheduled ferries to Friday Harbor.
FERRIES  A FERRY RIDE IS PART OF THE FUN!!
All of my kayak expeditions begin in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island upon the arrival of the morning ferry from Anacortes. Your reservation confirmation/equipment list will give you ferry schedule and meeting times. You can visit Washington State Ferries web site on-line at: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/ or contact us via phone or email: sanjuankayak@rockisland.com.
I suggest you come across the night before your kayak trip (see Accommodations). This will give you an opportunity to explore Friday Harbor and get a restful night before your kayak adventure begins. Either way, leave your car in the Anacortes Terminal overnight parking lot and walk aboard with your gear. After completing a trip, I will transport you to the ferry landing in time for the 5:00 P.M. ferry back to Anacortes. It arrives there at 6:20 P.M. ACCOMMODATIONS Friday Harbor has a good selection of places to stay the night before or after your trip. All of those listed below are within walking distance of the ferry terminal. I recommend the following:
It All Depends On Your Viewpoint! "Thank you so much for a wonderful kayak adventure! The trip far exceeded my expectations, and I feel very grateful to have paddled and sailed with such a fun group! I can't express enough gratitude to you for your kayak and island knowledge and, more importantly, your fun, lighthearted nature! A trip to remember! Thank you! " Kelli Warner Seattle, WA HELPFUL LINKS
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rock was gouged and cut by advancing glaciers over a mile high. When the ice retreated and the Pacific Ocean filled the deep canyons and broad valleys with sea water creating straits, channels and bays, the San Juan Islands were born. Protected from Pacific Ocean swells and storms by Vancouver Island to the west, the islands have commanding views of the Olympic Mountains to the south, snow covered Mt. Baker and the Cascade Range to the east and the British Columbia Coast Range to the north.
Spring and Summer find the San Juan Islands home to pods of orca (killer) whales and solitary, baleen minke whales. All of my expeditions spend two days traversing pathways where orcas are most frequently found as they hunt schools of migrating salmon. This gives you the best odds of encountering orcas in the wild of any other kayak outfitter! Past expeditions have witnessed orcas spy-hopping, breaching, lobtailing, hunting or sleeping (I know it sounds funny, but watching whales sleep is one of the most amazing things you will ever witness)!
This will be less expensive(only $12 round trip per person)and will eliminate the need to have your car in line two hours early. Then sit back and unwind on a picturesque ferry ride to Friday Harbor! Here you will be met at the ferry landing and your kayak journey will begin. If you have spent the night in Friday Harbor, simply meet everyone at the terminal on Front Street at the appointed time. Travel to Anacortes ferry terminal is approximately two hours from Seattle, one and one half hours from Everett, and one hour from Bellingham. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time!
