3-Day Kayak Trip from
Orcas Island to Sucia Island Marine Park

Sucia Island Marine Park is a cluster of small islands situated near the Washington and Canada border, on the outer edge of the San Juan Islands. Due to its isolation, gorgeous scenery, and relative difficulty of access, sea kayaking around Sucia Island has long been a coveted experience among kayakers coming to the San Juan Islands. Sucia Island is peppered with submerged reefs, making navigation by larger boats a treacherous activity, but providing an amazing playground for sea kayaks. We can get right up against the shoreline to explore the shapely rock formations which make Sucia Island so famous.

What makes this sea kayak trip unique is that we are departing directly from Orcas Island. A short crossing over to Sucia Island gets us immediately into the “sweet spots.” This is the easiest way to get to the Sucia Group, and for the entire duration of the trip you will be exploring these amazing shorelines.

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May - September
All Inclusive: $850 | Kids: $825
Self-catered: $725 | Kids: $700
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. All multi-day trips have a 4-person minimum. **Single occupancy, private tent: $50 fee.
More Info: Rates & Schedules
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Wildlife

Sucia Island rests on the southern edge of the wildlife-rich inland sea named the Strait of Georgia. This guarantees great views of seals, porpoises, Bald eagles and their nests, sea lions, and other exciting marine mammals.

Scenery

The highly eroded Chuckanut sandstone on Sucia Island is formed into bold shapes; honeycombed cliffs, whimsical hoodoos, arches, and caves. This is one of the only places in the islands where this unusual golden rock appears. Adding to the scenery are massive views Mt. Baker, a slumbering volcano that appears to rise abruptly from the sea and is covered in glaciers. Surrounding Mt. Baker are the rest of the craggy North Cascades, and the snowy peaks of the Canadian Coastal Range. Wideopen waterways surrounding Sucia Island give visitors a sense of remoteness that is unique to the Outer Islands.

Delicious Cuisine

Our hope is always to exceed your expectations when it comes to the food we serve. We understand that the one thing that you are sure to remember is whether the food was palatable. On our tours you won’t go hungry! As the owners of the company we personally see to the creation of each meal plan on our multi-day camping expeditions. We source most of our food from local organic farms here in the Skagit and Samish River valleys and use the freshest seasonal ingredients possible in all of our dishes. If you have any special dietary needs then just let us know, we can accommodate almost any requests.

Camping

This is a true expedition camping experience! Once you depart from Orcas Island you will be entirely self-sufficient, carrying all that you need in your kayaks. Sucia Island Marine Park, and its nearby neighbors, are well maintained by Washington State Parks. Water is available at these campsites, but we use this limited resource wisely to protect the aquifer. High-tech composting toilets have been installed by Washington State for your convenience. All of the campsites on Sucia island are located immediately next to the beaches ensuring gorgeous views for everyone!

No Experience Necessary!

Like all of our kayak tours, this one requires no previous paddling experience. Our fun and professional guides will take care of the details so that you can relax and enjoy yourself. The Sucia Island expedition is best suited for people in moderate physical condition due to the required channel crossing from Orcas Island. If you have any questions about whether this trip is appropriate for members of your group then please call us to discuss it.

What is included (Fully Catered package*):

  • Professional guiding service.
  • All of your kayaking equipment (boats, paddles, lifejackets, dry bags, etc).
  • All meals (from lunch on Day One to Lunch on Day Three) plus snacks, hot drinks, and limited cold drink mixes. Please feel free to bring your own alcohol of choice.
  • Cooking Equipment.
  • Complimentary insulated travel mug to take home with you afterwards!
  • All camping equipment including tents, insulated Thermarest sleeping pads.
  • All land use permits/fees.
  • The best customer service support in the industry.

Please check our packing list carefully to make sure that you have the appropriate gear. If you plan to bring any of your own equipment then please let us know prior to arrival so that we do not bring unnecessary duplicates.

What is not included:

  • Flights, airport transfers, taxis, transportation to launch site.
  • Travel/Medical insurance.
  • Alcoholic beverages.
  • Sleeping bags.
  • Rain Gear
  • Personal Items (toiletries, clothing, headlamps, etc.)

Sleeping bags can be rented for $35/trip if you prefer to travel without one. Please reserve these in advance to ensure that we have one ready for you, can also be reserved at the time of booking.

About The Area

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The Sucia Island Group is part of the northern San Juan Islands collectively referred to as “The Outer Islands”. Sucia Island itself is a horseshoe-shaped island which is accessible only by watercraft. Sea kayakers and boaters venturing into its many coves quickly discover why Sucia Island is considered the crown jewel in the state marine park system and a boating destination that is truly world class.  

The main island, surrounded by picturesque rocks and smaller islands, gave pause to the Spanish explorers who navigated its waters in 1791. They called it “sucia” or “foul,” a nautical term describing navigational obstacles such as the rocks around the island. The island and its waters are, in fact, pristine, and the satellite rocks make for interesting sea kayaking. A large population of Harbor seals use many of these rocks as haul outs to rest on, providing visitors with ample viewing opportunities. These same seals also attract their main predator, the Orca whale, groups of which are frequently seen prowling the shorelines.

In 2012 a large dinosaur leg bone was excavated from the banks of Sucia Island. Belonging to the group of dinosaurs known as Therapods (which incudes the T-Rex!) this is the first time that we have had evidence of these massive creatures appearing in the island rocks. While large dinosaur remains are very rare, the southern shores of Sucia Island are thick with smaller fossil beds. Intrepid explorers can spend hours walking along the beaches among these signs of ancient times. Collecting fossils is strictly forbidden, but looking at them is highly encouraged.

Known for its emerald waters and forested trails, its magnificent sunsets and sandstone formations, Sucia Island is prized by locals for its off-season beauty and solitude.

Sucia Island Marine State Park is a 564-acre marine park with 77,700 feet of shoreline and abundant camping and moorage.