Kayak Expeditions
THREE AND FOUR DAY GUIDED SEA KAYAKING TRIPS
Rugged coastline, picturesque seaside campsites and an abundance of wildlife highlight all of my guided, three and four day trips! With opportunities to sea kayak with orca whales, river otter, Dalls’ or harbor porpoise, harbor seals, bald eagles and much more, yours could be a journey to remember! Also offered in May are exciting Wildflowers and Whales three day trips! On shore we may see prong-horned antelope, big-horned sheep, white-tailed deer or mink!
You’ll see islands with names like Flattop, Sentinel, Canoe, Obstruction, Skipjack, Goose, Battleship, Barren and Blind(my trips show you more islands than any other company)! You’ll visit a pelagic cormorant rookery, pass near harbor seal haul-outs and traverse coastlines of rugged, towering, lichen-covered cliffs, deep Douglas fir forests and white sand beach! Quaking aspen, red-barked madrona, western red cedar and wind-sculpted Rocky Mountain juniper hem the shores, while around you fronds of giant bull kelp undulate in the current and glow like rusty, gold tendrils in the warm sunlight!
And if the wind is just right – hoist the spinnakers! Racing side by side with five or six colorful, double kayaks all with bright, billowing sails is exhilarating! As the sea rushes effortlessly past your bow and you feel the pull of the wind in your sail, it will all take your breath away! Sea kayak sailing really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience offered exclusively by San Juan Kayak Expeditions! Rig your sail!
All of that is on the water! During beach breaks or in camp, we often have leisure time for tide-pooling, hiking, a horseshoe tournament, a nap, birding, reading or a card game! Sound like fun? It really is! Then, after dinner, how about a sunset paddle or hike?
On the last night of each trip, we will set up our tents on a small island reserved exclusively for San Juan Kayak Expeditions and located on the edge of orca country! With a view west across Haro Strait into the Canadian Gulf Islands and north to the British Columbia Coast Range, you will feel perched on the edge of the world! In the final hours of the day, we’ll enjoy the warmth of a driftwood campfire and rehash the day’s events!
Come paddle and sail the beautiful San Juan Islands with me! You’ll talk about your trip for years to come!
“Truly memorable! I don’t remember the names of all the islands we saw, but I’ll remember their rugged beauty! Loved the porpoise swimming around us during our sunset paddle, the bizarre madrona trees and the laughter around the campfires! Everyone was so friendly, fun, and helpful. I’ll keep with me many lifelong memories and friends.”
Bill Conchi
Kenmore, WA
See my Spring/Summer 2010 guided trip schedule!
Three Day Coastal Explorer
We’ll start from San Juan Islands’ east side and steer north and west through whale country exploring the remote coves and beaches of San Juan, Orcas, Shaw and the Wasp Islands while keeping constant watch for orca and minke whales. Rugged coastline and an abundance of wildlife highlight this trip. My routes traverse unique coastlines, make open-water crossings and stay away from campgrounds most other outfitters use. My specialty, honed by experience, is using the tide and eddies to our advantage. Breaking camp each morning with the anticipation of the adventure, scenery and wildlife ahead make my trips true expeditions! You won’t want to miss it!
“I am so glad you encouraged me to take the four day trip. The spectacular beauty of the islands could not be experienced any other way. I felt so strong! From the wake-up flute to the campfire at night, each day was a gem. Thank you, thank you.”
Jane Gilbreath
Kansas City, MO
Four Day Islands Adventurer
This one is for the true adventurer. You’ll explore the coastlines of more than 15 islands, large and small, travel up to 35 miles and see shores of awe-inspiring beauty and variation; the rocky cliffs of Speiden Island rising hundreds of feet out of the ocean; the warm, sandy beaches and impenetrable forest of Henry Island; the spectacular hiking and vistas of American Camp National Park. This is an ideal expedition for kayaking with orca whales and other marine mammals and to observe the varied flora and fauna of the San Juan Islands.
Come paddle and sail the beautiful San Juan Islands with me! You’ll talk about your trip for years to come!
“It was wonderful getting to know everyone! Tim’s leadership, the camaradarie of the group and the resulting experience made this an amazing trip! It was the highlight of my summer!”
Mark Francis
Seattle, WA