ABOUT MY COMPANY
-It is the only company around that specializes in guided multi-day sea kayaking expeditions and multi-day rentals and is not in the three-hour-tour business! "Sarah and I wanted to thank you again for making our vacation to your backyard one we will never forget! Everything was top-notch including your jokes! Your passion for kayaking and years of experience made the trip a very special one for us and, I am sure, the entire group! We wish you all the best for the rest of this season and continued success in your 29th season! Thanks again!" Josh and Sarah Gorman Arvada, CO
My trips attract active people (friends, couples and singles) of all ages who love adventure! I also cater to family and high school reunions, scout troops, executive retreats, wedding parties and educational groups. "Please join me this summer for an exciting sea kayaking journey of adventure in the spectacular San Juan Islands!" *Upon receipt of your registration form and deposit, I will send you a detailed equipment list and information packet to help you prepare for your adventure.
ABOUT YOUR GUIDE
WHY PADDLE WITH ME!
EXPERIENCE!
I am also a
local! I have lived and kayaked in these islands for thirty-one years!
I have guided my own multi-day trips for
twenty-nine years now, have led over 450 expeditions throughout these islands
and have logged more than 10,000 miles paddling in the San Juans! No
one else can offer you that kind of experience! "We wanted to drop you a line to say THANKS! We had a great time! The weather, food and the people really made this a trip to remember! I am sure you hear this all the time, but your sense of humor and your knowledge of the area are what make your trips so enjoyable! I will be in contact with you as we get closer to September to book our next trip. I have quite a few friends who will love to join us next year! Thanks again" Rick and Jeanne Thompson Scandia, MN
I have never had a client capsize on one of my trips! That unprecedented record is a reflection of my experience, judgement, quality equipment and observational skills! My record stands alone! I carry all safety equipment(flares, GPS, chart, VHF radio, cell phone, first aid kit, etc.). "Thanks for making this an extraordinary experience for all of us...from start to finish!" Mark Epley Portland, OR
"I am out on the water all summer,every summer, so I know there is no other outfitter around here whose equipment ranks up there with mine! I am as proud as punch of that fact!" VALUE! Because I am a small operation, I am able to keep my prices low without sacrificing service, quality and professionalism! I don't have seasonal guides, multiple vans and trailers, outlets in town, motorized support boats, heavy advertising expenses(no "sponsored" listings on Google, for example)or other overhead. I run a well organized yet simple operation honed by experience, and that means a positive experience for you at an affordable rate!
"I'm on my way home from Seattle this morning. I just wanted to say thanks for all you did for us! The trip was safe, fun, varied, challenging, delicious, relaxing, informative and beautiful. All the best to you!" Christin Arnini Bethany, CT
Craig and Ryan Britt West Seattle, WA WILDFLOWERS AND WHALES! In the month of May I offer you a chance to enjoy the spectacle of up to thirty-five species of blooming wildflowers in a marine setting as we hike a little-known island jewel and to observe orca whales in the wild. Indian paintbrush, great camas, shooting stars, naked desert parsley, broadleaf starflower, western buttercup, field chickweed, chocolate and fawn lillies, etc. form a colorful carpet at our feet while blue ocean dotted with small islands creates a unique backdrop! This trip has all of the usual scenery and wildlife plus a little more! Let's go wildflower and whale watching this spring! Tim, "You're one helluva guide and your knowledge about the island's wildlife, botany, history and basic kayak skills/navigation is surpassed by none! Add to that your friendly personality and wit, one can never go wrong booking a trip with you! Keep up the great work! I'll definitely be seeing you next year for your 30th season!" Lanny Moore Tacoma, WA
"The sailing totally blew us away! HAR! HAR! The sound of the sea rushing under our kayak as we crossed effortlessly to Speiden at 7 knots made us realize that we were unique and awesome adventurers! Thanks Tim for an experience of a lifetime!"
Mike and Krishna Smith Portland, OR WE ARE MOVING FORWARD And on the last evening of every trip - an island to ourselves! Reserved exclusively for San Juan Kayak Expeditions, this small, island jewel will be ours for a night! Enjoy!
HIKE & PADDLE "I wanted to send you a brief thank you note! Kathy and I had a great time on our trip with you - it was over much too quickly -and we are having fun recounting our experiences to family, friends and co-workers! We particularly enjoyed the short hikes and the sunsets and your sharing of your knowledge about the area and the things we were seeing. We will be back for another whale encounter! Thanks!" Al Raymond Minneapolis, MN "Thanks for a fabulous trip! What a great way to see a beautiful part of the world!" Terri Furman Broomfield, CO
LOW-IMPACT CAMPING! I am not affiliated with motorized, whale-watch tour companies, as these "stink pots" are extremely polluting and have a very high, negative impact on orca quality of life and marine life in general. In fact, research over the last ten years has shown that low salmon populations in conjunction with ever-increasing whale-watch tour boat numbers are combining to literally starve our resident orca population to death! This year(2008) we have lost eight whales due to starvation, two of them breeding-age females! Don't be a part of the problem! I call upon all motorized,whale watch tour companies(both US and Canadian) to immediately halt the illegal, greedy, destructive, relentless pursuit of our local orca pods! I do not use motorized support boats. Please be wary of kayak companies that promote power boat shuttles or "Mothership" tours. This really goes against the grain of what sea kayaking is all about and greatly adds to the noise, air and water pollution of the San Juan Islands. Don't be a part of the problem! As a self-appointed steward of these islands, I paddle to the Kayak Education & Leadership Program(K.E.L.P.) code to help protect marine wildlife. Upon conclusion of each trip, participants are proud, not only of what they have accomplished together, but also of what little trace we have left behind from our voyage! EXTRA BAGGAGE?! A MESSAGE FROM TIM
Spring, 2010 "My 29th season was active and full of adventure! We had close encounters with orca, porpoise, stellar sea lions, racoon, mink, otter, deer, big-horned sheep, prong-horned antelope, a plethora of bald eagles and an elephant seal. Fantastic groups of people and days with blue skies made for wonderful experiences for all! We rode rivers of tidal current, sailed with consistent winds, hunted sea glass, played horseshoes and beach baseball, took sunset hikes and paddles and saw many of the highlights of the San Juan Islands! I've been in business for 29 years for a reason! Come along for an exciting ride this summer!! Check my 2010 Trip Schedule for dates!" "I am especially excited about the upcoming season, as it is my 30th year of guiding my own three and four day sea kayaking expeditions in the San Juan Islands! This milestone is unprecedented in the sea kayaking industry! I am proud of yet humbled by that achievement!" "Meanwhile, each May I offer"Wildflowers and Whales" three day trips. We can enjoy up to thirty-five species of blooming wildflowers on a little-known, island jewel and observe orca whales as they travel in search of salmon in Haro Strait!" "In addition, all of my trips continue to offer a final night island campground reserved exclusively for San Juan Kayak Expeditions! This site is a small, quaint island perched right on the edge of orca country! For one night, we will have an entire island to ourselves!" "My expeditions are a culmination of all I have learned over the past thirty-two years of living and paddling here, and they continue to evolve as I inquire, observe and learn each season. The very fact that I have been guiding my own multi-day trips in the San Juan Islands for over twenty-nine years is unique to the entire sea kayaking industry! My trips attract fun, well-rounded folks with diverse backgrounds, can-do attitudes and a love of adventure. My perfect safety record is a result of experienced leadership and quality equipment. My attention to detail is unequaled anywhere else! My sea kayaking expeditions minimize our footprint on the island environment." "My knowledge of this small corner of the world allows me to provide you with the best that the San Juan Islands have to give! My committment to offer you a high quality experience is taken seriously. I dedicate myself and work hard toward that goal each year!" Owner/Guide
San Juan Kayak Expeditions is a proud member of the following organizations:
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San Juan Kayak Expeditions, now in its 30th season, is a small, ecology-minded, owner-operated, owner-guided, one-of-a-kind kayak touring company which makes its home in the San Juan Islands. 
San Juan Kayak Expeditions will provide reliable, top quality, two-person, fiberglass sea kayaks and equipment including Therma-Rest inflatable seat cushions, all major camping gear (quality, two-person tents, cooking utensils, tarps, stoves, etc.) and all meals except lunches. Just bring your own sleeping bag and pad, rain gear, mess kit, one quart water bottle, flashlight, etc., and you will be good to go!* Seals, otters, orca and minke whales, porpoise and eagles are common companions and will assure a memorable voyage!
Tim Thomsen has been a resident and avid kayaker in the San Juan Islands for thirty-two years. He has owned and operated San Juan Kayak Expeditions for twenty-nine years and has logged over 10,000 miles paddling in the San Juans! He has personally guided over 450 three and four day expeditions! In addition to paddling in the San Juans, he led his own 6 day expeditions in Baja's Sea of Cortez for thirteen winter seasons.
The small size and professional nature of my company mean I can give you the personal attention necessary to make your kayak experience a positive one! I answer your e-mail and telephone inquiries personally. In fact, I take care of every aspect of the trip including guide it!
