Meeting Place and Time for San Juan Island 5-Hour Trips

Drive On

If you are driving your own vehicle and meeting directly at Roche harbor for your 5-Hour Trip, please follow these directions to Roche Harbor Resort and meet us at the Marine Activities Center kayak docks 30 minutes prior to your trip departure.

FYI: If you drive onto the San Juan Ferry then we recommend arriving at the Anacortes ferry terminal at least 2 hours early if you have no reservation. If you have a reservation then you need to be at the ferry terminal at least 30 minutes prior to sailing time. Reservations are highly recommended to ensure that you make your sailing.

Walk On

If you are walking onto the ferry then there is a complimentary shuttle from Friday Harbor that will pick you up at at the Memorial Circle on the corner of Front St and Spring St in Friday Harbor. Please be there approximately 30-60 mins before your trip is set to depart. (Look for the white Gazebo furniture.)
Please check out the Washington State Ferry Schedule to ensure you make it to the ferry on time. We recommend that you arrive 30 minutes early to the San Juan Island Ferry terminal in order to ensure you won’t miss your trip.

If you decide to change your mind and drive onto the ferry then please let us know so that we can cancel your seat on the shuttle. Thank you!

The Trip

Kayaking out of Roche Harbor Marina gives you plenty of time to settle in and get comfortable before entering the open water. Further tips on paddling technique can be delivered to you here if you desire, just let your guide know.

As you leave the harbor and enter the open waters north of San Juan Island, your guide will pause and point out landmarks of the area as well as letting you know the proposed route for the day. Most trips attempt to circumnavigate Henry Island, returning via Mosquito Pass to Roche Harbor.

Heading west now, you will see the distinct silhouette of Battleship Island. It is not hard to understand how it earned the name! Seals become more numerous as you approach this wildlife refuge. Rounding the top of Henry Island you will be treated to beautiful views of Vancouver Island, with the buildings of downtown Victoria peeking up over the low hills. Ahead of you are “Seal Rocks”, nicknamed by the guides for the abundance of seals that rest here. You will try to approach quietly and carefully as to not disturb them.

Soon enough your guide will direct you to the small beach where you can stop for a mid-trip break. It feels great to have the chance to stretch your legs a bit!

If weather permits you will continue down the west shore of Henry Island and make your way back to Mosquito Pass. This narrow and winding passage was historically used by native groups as a protected place to make summer fishing camps. They would also construct nets made of woven nettles and string them across the channel to capture birds. Westcott Bay, famous now for its oyster farm, is also the site of the historical English Camp National Park. You will want to make a visit here after your trip!

Returning to Roche Harbor, your guide will lead you back to the kayak docks and assist you out of your boats before bidding you farewell.

We hope that you enjoy your sea kayaking experience, thanks for choosing us!

**The exact direction you and your guides will choose to take is often dictated by the prevailing conditions. Your guides know this place intimately and will attempt to take you on the easiest route possible, using the tidal currents to your advantage whenever they can. Some trips may alter the route due to prevailing conditions. This description is representative of the majority of our tours but kayaking on the sea is a dynamic experience that sometimes requires adjustments for your comfort.

Gear You Will Need

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
• Shoes you don’t mind getting wet (flip flops are okay)
• Sunglasses (important)
• Binoculars
• 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)
• Protective case for any devices
• 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 guide, with a comprehensive safety kit
• Dry bags for your personal gear

Age Limits

If you have younger kids (under 12) then please call before making a reservation.

We’ve found that most kids younger than three years old have a difficult time sitting in a kayak for the duration of the trip. Some older children may also need to move around more. As parents you know your children’s capabilities better than anyone, but feel free to call us if you have concerns. Also, you’ll be paddling with your child, either by yourself in a tandem kayak or with another member of your family in a triple kayak, with your child in the center seat. Alone in a tandem means that there will be more work involved and you may need to consider your physical strength.

Anacortes Kayak Tours prides itself on being the most family-friendly kayaking company in the San Juan Islands. We consider your kids to be an investment in the future and we want to get them out on the water and develop an active lifestyle and an appreciation of the natural world!

That being said, kids under 12 are best suited for private trips for better group dynamics and safety on the water.

Weight Limits

For your safety and comfort, we have a weight limit of 265 pounds (per person) in tandems. Call if you have any questions.

Health / Physical Limits

Our #1 priority is to bring you home safely. In the unlikely event of a capsize we need to know that you are physically capable of keeping your face above the water, that you are able in some fashion to assist with the rescue, and that your heart can take the stress of the immersion and exertion of an unplanned accident. If you think that you may be at risk, or that your health conditions are of concern then please talk to your physician and then give us a call. We’d love to try and help you find a solution, and if possible to get you out on the water.

Deafness and blindness will not prevent you from enjoying our tours, but please let us know at the time of booking.

If you have 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 problem for you. Our guides can then plan the trip accordingly.

Cancellations

We require 48 hours for groups of 1-4 people, one week for groups of 5-9, 10+ please enquire. Please refer to our Cancellation Policy page for details.

Weather

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 that causes hazardous sea conditions. Your comfort and safety are our biggest concern.

A Few Rules–Please Read!

• • • No Smoking in the kayaks 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. Pack out everything that you pack in.
    • Sorry, no dogs. We like them, but they tend to tear the heck out of the boats, can disrupt the enjoyment of other guests, and can also create safety concerns.
    • 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 make 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 remembered as a disingenuous 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.

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