Prepare for your Half Day Single Kayak Trip
Meeting Place and Time
For our Half Day Kayak Trips please meet one hour before your scheduled departure at our store (2201 Skyline Way, Suite 203) in Anacortes, unless instructed otherwise by our office staff.
We are located a the corner of 18th and Commercial Avenue, across from Starbucks.
Gear You Will Need
Paddling single kayaks will raise the risk of a capsize slightly. Please be prepared.
Dress appropriately for the weather. We like to say “as if you were going for a walk in the forest that day.” Usually this means layers, preferably non-cotton if you have the choice (no big deal if not). Summer time weather in the San Juan Islands is usually mild and so most days you will likely be fine in shorts, t-shirt, and water-compatible shoes (or old sneakers), but come prepared. Bring an extra layer, a windbreaker, and a change of clothes to leave in your car in case you get anything wet.
- Shorts or pants (non-cotton if possible)
- T-shirt (long or short sleeved, non-cotton if possible)
- Extra layer: fleece/wool sweater/synthetic insulating layer
- Light rain-jacket or windbreaker
- Sunglasses (important)
- Sunscreen
- Baseball cap or sun hat with chin strap, (wool or fleece hat if it is chilly)
- Light snack for on the water (candy bar, granola bar, GORP, etc.)
- Water bottle (very important, 1 liter per person at least)
- Any appropriate medications that you might need
Anacortes Kayak Tours will provide
- All kayaking gear (boat, paddles, spray decks, life jackets)
- A professionally trained and fun kayak coach/guide, with a comprehensive safety kit
- Dry bags for your personal gear, usually one 20L bag per kayak.
- Wet suits available for rent. $5.00 each
Age Limits
We limit this trip to adults only (18+ yrs) on regularly booked trips, but we can accommodate groups with kids 12 years or older as a private outing (4 or more guests). If you have someone in your group who is not an adult then please call us for details.
Weight Limit
For your safety and comfort we have a weight limit of 265 pounds (per person) in tandems, and 225 pounds (per person) in singles. If you have any questions about this then please call us.
Health / Physical Limits
Our #1 priority is to bring you home safely. Due to the nature of these trips, and the increased possibility of a capsize, we need to know that all participants are in good health and have a moderate degree of fitness. This is also to ensure the safety of other people on the tour.
If you have any health issues, or have any questions about your fitness, then please contact our office. One of the owners (Megan or Erik) will be able to speak with you and then help you to determine what the most appropriate trip would be for you.
If you have any health issues on the day of your trip, please pull your guide aside and let him or her know. This includes even small issues (like diarrhea) that can turn a great trip into a nightmare for you. Our guides can then plan the trip accordingly.
Cancellations
We have a 48 hour cancellation policy for these trips. Please refer to our Cancellation Policy page for details.
Weather
Don’t worry, even though we personally feel that cloudy and/or rainy days are the best conditions to be kayaking in, we will still take you out when the sun shines!
Seriously though, we enjoy about 250 days of sunshine per year, mostly in the summer. Even when it does sprinkle on us it rarely lasts more than a few minutes. We won’t cancel for rain.
The only weather that will cancel a trip is windy weather. Your comfort and safety are our biggest concern.
A Few Rules—Please Read!
- No Smoking on these trips. This is a safety concern for us, many people get seasick after being exposed to cigarette/cigar smoke.
- Please do not litter. Does this really need any explaining?
- Sorry, no dogs. We like them, but they tend to tear the heck out of the boats and can disrupt the trip enjoyment of other guests.
- Your guide needs you to follow their instructions. Please respect this.
- Respect the wildlife who make the San Juan Islands their home. We give the whales plenty of space when they are around, we try not to frighten seals that are hauled out on the rocks, that sort of thing. Your guide will explain this more out on the water.
And at last, The Fine Print
We strive to…no, we virtually obsess about making sure that we are being entirely open and honest with our marketing language and also when we speak to people about what our trips are like. We’ve been burned before on our travels and we never want to be “that company” when you’re reminiscing with your friends later.
To assist us in placing you on the most appropriate trip please let us know if you have any special requests, concerns, or expectations when you call. That will allow us to either recommend the best trip for your needs, or at least to give you a proper explanation about what we can realistically accomplish for you.
