No Ferry Hassles!
With no San Juan Islands ferry hassles to worry about and the spectacular Cypress Island Marine Reserve to explore, it is no surprise that this is the most popular kayak expedition that we offer. Depart directly from Anacortes to make the most of your vacation time!
Wildlife
The protected status of the island and the waters surrounding it has created a healthy and diverse habitat that supports an amazing diversity of wildlife. A dense population of Harbor seals and porpoises forage around Cypress. The nearby Cone Islands see other marine mammals frequently passing through the waterways surrounding the islands. Low tide exposes beautiful and interesting creatures in the intertidal zone, and Bald eagles stand watch from their lofty perches. Few places in the San Juan Islands have such a density of wild animals.
Scenery
Although you are surrounded all day by the beauty of the San Juan Islands there is nothing quite so gratifying as relaxing on a pebble beach with a glass of wine in your hand, taking in the evening light. On clear days Mount Baker looms over Cypress Island from the crest of the Cascade Mountain Range, and trails from the camp areas lead you through mature forests. If you make it up to Eagle Cliff you’ll be rewarded with arguably the best view in the San Juan Islands.
Delicious Cuisine
Our hope is 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 good. On our tours, you won’t be 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 Anacortes you will be entirely self-sufficient, carrying all that you need in your kayaks. Cypress Island is managed as a Conservation Area and so the campgrounds are rustic and are designed to be close to the sea and part of the landscape. We bring our own water and abide by Leave No Trace standards. High-tech composting toilets have been installed for your convenience. On these 3-day trips, we often camp in the same camp area for both nights in order to maximize your kayaking and relaxation time. The camp areas on Cypress Island are both beautiful, and are located just a few miles apart.
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 Cypress Island expeditions are the least physically demanding of our multi-day kayak trips and are appropriate for most people of all ages. Our convenient location in Anacortes allows you to spend more time kayaking to this outstanding destination.
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.
*Self-Catered package includes everything above, except food, cooking equipment, travel mug, and camping equipment.
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
Cypress Island is the “last best place” in the San Juan Islands. Nearly 90% of this remarkable island is managed by the Department of Natural Resources and has been designated by the State of Washington as a Natural Resource Conservation Area and a Natural Area Preserve- giving it the highest form of protection that state land can have.
While much of the San Juan Islands have been privatized and developed, their shorelines made forever off-limits by private owners, Cypress Island has actually gone the opposite direction. Since 1923 it has been recognized as a place of incredible ecological and historical importance, and great efforts have been made to protect one of the few remaining intact, publicly owned pieces of the San Juan Islands’ natural history.
At the beginning of the 1900’s logging had greatly impacted the San Juans. Much of the timber went straight into the fire to heat the great lime kilns on Orcas and San Juan Island. While some logging took place on Cypress Island, the industry died out before the ancient groves in the Cypress Highlands could be cut. Now, nearly one hundred years later, the forest once again covers the steep slopes providing critical habitat for island wildlife. The old-growth on Cypress Island are some of the last remaining stands in the entire San Juan Islands.
Currently surveyors on Cypress Island have identified 142 species of birds (plus 50 sighted, but undocumented bird species) and over 264 plant species! And that is just above the waterline! This kind of biodiversity puts Cypress Island into world-class status.
While the forests of Cypress Island provide a classically “San Juan Islands” backdrop for visitors, it is the shorelines and intertidal zones that attract sea kayakers. Steep, rocky headlands, protected bays, and sub-tidal eelgrass meadows support a wide variety of creatures that can best be viewed from the cockpit of a sea kayak. Offshore of Cypress Island is the Cone Islands, a small cluster of “gumdrop” islands (this term is applied to the many tiny islets in the San Juans that appear, from a distance, as gumdrop candies). A variety of seabirds, seals, porpoises, and Bald eagles are just a few of the animals that can be found out here. Some of our most incredible Orca whale encounters have occurred while we were exploring “the Cones.”
The two camping areas on Cypress Island are both primitive areas with outstanding views and access to great hiking trails. The hiking here is something that you do not want to miss out on. Our favorite trail is 1.2 miles long and takes you up to the dramatic viewpoint on top of 900 foot Eagle Bluff. This is arguably the best place in the San Juan Islands to view a sunset and one of the top two vistas in the San Juan Islands.
Our trips to Cypress Island is intended to be the antidote to stressful travel schedules. Unlike trips that depart from Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, this tour departs directly from Anacortes. Located on beautiful Fidalgo Island, Anacortes is known as the Home Port to the San Juan Islands. No ferry hassles are needed to reach your launch site, saving you hours of waiting in lines, sailing delays, and the added expense of purchasing fares. The convenience and efficiency of departing from Anacortes simply cannot be beaten!
We highly recommend adding extra time on Fidalgo Island if you can spare it. If time allows, and you can come the day before the trip, stop by our shop and ask for insider tips on some wonderful places to walk in the forest or relax on a beach. If you would like to check in early and get your dry bags then we’d be happy to do that as well, saving you some time in the morning that is usually spent organizing your personal items. If the timing doesn’t work to come early, then plan to stay an extra night afterward. Anacortes has nice shops and restaurants, as well as miles of trails and hidden lakes in the Anacortes Community Forest Lands. We would be happy to point out the places that we love to explore.
Let’s Go!
Arriving at our shop in Skyline Marina you will be welcomed by our friendly staff who will check you in, issue you your dry bags, and give you directions to the launch site. Take your time packing your personal items at our office before making the short drive (less than 10 minutes) to the beach where your guide and logistical staff will already be packing your kayaks.
After parking your vehicle and loading up the kayaks you will receive a pre-trip briefing with your guide. They will go over some safety considerations, explain the planned route for the day, and give you a short introduction to the basics of sea kayaking. After a last minute restroom break, you’ll be off the beach and headed to the islands!
The Trip:
We have two different Anacortes launch sites that we use depending on the prevailing conditions and the needs of the group. Your guide will determine the best route to take to Cypress Island depending on these factors.
Day One:
Launch from Anacortes, and paddle along the shorelines of neighboring Guemes Island. Our guides are familiar with the tidal currents and will choose the optimal route for your group. After traversing the shores of Guemes Island you will cross Bellingham Channel and enter the Marine Protected Area surrounding Cypress Island. Keep your eyes open for porpoise cavorting in the tides, or seals hunting salmon. You might even get lucky and encounter whales!
When kayaking it is often easier to talk about time spent paddling than miles covered. Most trips will take three to five hours to get to one of the camp areas. There should be ample opportunity to take breaks on the beach during this time, including a stop for lunch.
After arriving at the beach your guide will assist you in setting up your tent and setting up the rest of your camp. Now it is time to relax, this will be home for the next few days!
While on the beach you are free to explore the trails on your own or accompany your guide on a walk if you prefer. Some groups want to paddle later in the day, just let your guide know!
Later in the afternoon, your guide will be busy preparing a delicious dinner for you to enjoy. This is another great opportunity to go for a walk or just relax on the beach with a glass of wine, watching the evening light coloring the sky.
Day Two:
After a hearty breakfast, your guide will talk with you about the day’s paddling options. We rarely have a set plan for this day, so feel free to talk about what you are hoping to see and do. Our guides love to try and tailor every trip to meet their guest's expectations. We have found that most people are happy with about 5-6 hours of paddling, with plenty of relaxing breaks on the many pocket-beaches found along Cypress Island. Lunch is almost always prepared in the field, away from camp, so bring all that you need for the day. It should be mentioned that occasionally some people prefer not to paddle at all and would rather spend the day walking on the miles of trails found here. That is fine with us, you will just need to communicate with your guide so that they can prepare a lunch for you ahead of time. <(Note: we cannot allow you to paddle without a guide present, so if they leave with the rest of the group then you will not be able to join them until they return.)
After returning from the day’s adventure it is time for….you guessed it….more relaxation! Go for another walk, skip stones, or simply sit at the water’s edge and contemplate the beauty around you, while your guide is busy preparing your next delicious dinner. (As you can tell, these guides work hard for their tips!)
Day Three:
Greet your final morning on Cypress Island with a hot cup of coffee and watch as the Sunrise changes the shadows on the surrounding islands. After breakfast, you and your guide will talk about the best route home before taking down your camp and packing the boats for the last time. It’s always a slightly melancholy feeling to leave Cypress Island behind, but you can always return again!
Lunch will usually be another beach break somewhere along the route home.
Depending on the route you take, and the conditions of the day, you will likely return back to Anacortes sometime between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. The exact return time is difficult to predict because so many factors are involved with this sort of travel experience. We recommend that you do not schedule things too tightly just in case the weather or some other variable slows you down along the way.
One of our logistics people will be there to greet you and help you unpack the kayaks. If you left any luggage at our office during the trip then they will bring that with them as well.
After saying farewell to your guide, you are off to the next adventure. Hopefully, we will see you again!
**This is a sample itinerary which outlines the type of experience that most often happens. Due to the dynamic nature of outdoor adventures, things can sometimes change without notice. We work very hard to provide the best possible experience for each of our guests so if you have any special needs or concerns, or any particular expectation that you have, then please do call us so that we can talk to you more about it. Thank you!
What trip offers the best chances of a whale sighting?
This is probably the most popular question that we hear on the phone. The best answer is “it is impossible to predict”. Kayaks simply do not travel fast enough to manifest a whale encounter on purpose. Our guests have always appreciated that we set reasonable expectations about whale encounters. If seeing a whale is a primary goal for you then we suggest that you book an additional trip with a whale watch company. They have fast moving boats which can seek out the whales’ locations on any given day. Kayak trips and whale watch outings are actually very complementary and will give you the best possible experience in the San Juan Islands.
I have never tried sea kayaking before, how do I know whether I can do this?
These kayak tours are designed for people with little or no previous experience who enjoy an active experience. We like to call this activity “soft adventure” because the tours are loaded with fun (without too much adrenaline)! The goal is to move quietly through the landscape, enjoying the views while rewarding the body with a little bit of easy exercise. All of our tours will move as slowly as necessary to ensure that you won’t get too worn out. Our guides are very competent paddlers, and well-trained trip leaders, they will worry about the details so that you can relax and enjoy yourself. If you have any specific concerns then please call us so that we can make sure that you get placed on the most enjoyable trip possible.
What is the difference between an All Inclusive Package and a Self-Catered Package?
The only difference between these two packages is that in the All Inclusive Package we provide your camping gear and your meals. Here in the outdoorsy Pacific Northwest a large number of our guests possess their own camping equipment and prefer to use it. We have responded to this reality by creating an option that saves them some money and allows them use the gear that they have already invested in. On all trips we will provide the kayaking equipment, and the same exceptional guide service that our guests have come to expect from Anacortes Kayak Tours.
What if it rains?
As the saying goes; “there is no such thing as bad weather, just unfortunate clothing choices.” Joking aside, we are very fortunate that we live in the “rainshadow” of the Olympic Mountains and consequently we receive much less precipitation than Seattle and the rest of Western Washington State. Don’t rely on Seattle weather reports to tell you what it will be like up here because we are in a very different climate zone. What little rain falls in the summer rarely lasts for too long and it usually creates some of the most beautiful kayak trips of the season as the muted colors of the Pacific Northwest come alive with the moisture. We won’t cheat you out of the experience because of a little rain, bring a rain-jacket or borrow one of ours and come to enjoy the show!
Can I paddle in a single kayak?
Yes! We have a limited number of single kayaks available to reserve. Check out our Single Kayaks for Multi-Day trips for more information. We are currently the only outfitter in the San Juan Islands to be able to offer this option. The superior training and skill levels of our guides allow us to make this type of experience available to our guests.
What’s the weight limit for paddling in a kayak?
265 lbs for double kayaks and 225 lbs for single kayaks. We have found that these weights are generally the limits for your comfort and enjoyment of the activity.
What is your policy on tipping?
Your guides work very hard to keep your party safe while also supporting an atmosphere that is entertaining. Gratuities are always appreciated with the average tip being 10 percent of the total trip cost, with some guests tipping more and some less, depending on your experience.
What Our Clients Say
Thanks for the magical day at Sucia Island. We are still savoring the moments. What a place! The Wendell Berry quote fits… The world lives in the death of speech, and sings there Your guide Dave was such a pleasant pathfinder for us. And a big appreciation to the Anacortes Kayak Tours owners who provided us with this trip. We… Read more “Magical day at Sucia Island”
Sue and Tom
Thank you again for taking the 3 of us sea kayaking a couple of weeks ago. We really enjoyed our trip. I look forward to going kayaking with you in the future. By the way, my parents will be in Seattle in about two weeks. I gave them your brochure and recommended them to you.
Lee
I just wanted to say “Thanks” for a wonderful day of Kayaking yesterday around Cypress Island. For 4–5 years we have been doing a yearly outing of a guided kayak trip and found your group to be the most organized, friendly and well equipped so far. Your kayaks, life vests and spray skirts were by far the best, driest and… Read more “A first-class organization”
Noel (Nikki)
I just wanted to thank you for arranging an incredible kayak trip for my sister and I — it truly was a trip of a lifetime! Peter was an incredible guide who was so helpful and informative plus we were blessed with amazing wildlife to watch and perfect weather. It could not have been better.
Noelle
I want to thank you both for providing us such a wonderful and memorable experience kayaking last week. Andrew, Matt, and I had a fabulous time. Megan — thank you in particular for the fine shopping and meal planning. The boys and I were joking that we ate better during the trip than we did at home the past 2… Read more “A wonderful and memorable experience kayaking”
Pete, Matt, and Andrew Noone
I just returned home from an amazing kayak vacation with you folks, and I’m dreading a return to real life tomorrow. My head is still full of the San Juans and I wish that I could have stayed out for another day, or ten. I did quite a bit of research before booking the trip and your company stood out… Read more “Next time — five-day trip!”
Julie Alexander
Fantastic trip! Pete and Alex were fantastic! They were both knowledgeable and professional. The trip was a tremendous value for the money; great food and top-notch equipment! Thank you so much! Please thank Pete and Alex again for me.
Carl Roth
Just wanted to let you know how pleased we were with the tour to Cypress Island (Sept. 2008). Freddie and Peter were great guides. They were extremely friendly and cheerful, and very well qualified to lead us. What made it especially nice was that both Freddie and Peter related well to both us old fogies as well as the younger… Read more “They were intent on spoiling us”
Cynthia Dietz and Susan Larsen
Thanks so much for a memorable 2 days in the San Juans! We thoroughly enjoyed every moment, though our shoulders and backs indicated that we should’ve done a better job getting in paddling shape beforehand! You could not have tailor-made a menu more suitable for our family (down to the s’mores!) nor have given us a better guide/chef/friend for the… Read more “A memorable 2 days in the San Juans”
Melinda Y. Ching, Senior Attorney-Asia Pacific/Hawaii The Nature Conservancy
Thank you for everything. Our meeting went like Swiss clockwork from start to finish thanks to you and your amazing guides. I simply can’t say enough good things about those four to do justice to the subtle but stout job they did on our trip. We felt completely safe, the food was nothing short of spectacular (and always right on… Read more “What customer service can and should be”
Kaj Bune
Exped
I just got back from a wonderful trip to Sucia with my husband and another couple. We had a great time with Jeremiah, our guide. We were amazed by the scenery, wildlife, and the general beauty of the San Juan Islands. Jeremiah was professional but down-to-earth, and we always felt completely safe because of his degree of knowledge and experience.… Read more “Amazed by the scenery and wildlife”
Kristen Richards
Hello team at Anacortes — Wendy, Erik, Jeremiah, Gary and Megan and everyone else who helped to make our trip so special! Hey guys Roger and I are now in Juneau about to hit the mountains for a week of running and I just wanted to pause and say thank you so much for a wonderful visit to the… Read more “Thank you”
Kylie and Roger
We had a wonderful trip. Blake was a great guide. Very relaxed and nice pace. The side trip to the lighthouse was magical, and nice to get out and stretch. You do a good job of getting people out on the water safely and comfortably. The equipment was top notch. Well done!!! We will let friends know about the great… Read more “Very relaxed and nice pace”
Barbara Beattie
Prepare for Your Multi-day Adventure
Meeting Place and Time
For our 3-Day Kayak Trip from Anacortes to Cypress Island, please meet at our store (2009 Skyline Way) at 8:00 a.m, unless instructed otherwise by our office staff. We are located just past the Anacortes Ferry Terminal, in Skyline Marina. We like to try and get you on the water as early as possible to maximize your day.
Gear You Will Need
Every person will be assigned 2–20L dry bags and 1–10L dry bag for their gear.
The San Juan Islands have a very mild climate during the summer months. Most trips will experience temperatures around 70° F during the day, and mid-50s at night. Rain is not common, but be aware of the weather and come prepared accordingly.
- Long underwear- polypropylene or something synthetic, top and bottom>
- Shorts (1 pair, preferably non-cotton)
- Pants (1 pair, preferably non-cotton)
- T-shirts (2-3 depending on the trip length)
- Sweatshirt (fleece or synthetic, cotton will not dry) or some other insulating shirt. (2)
- Underwear (enough to make you happy)
- Socks (enough to make you happy, 4 pairs should be plenty)
- Light rain jacket and rain pants>
- Water compatible shoes (Tevas, Chacos, water socks, old tennis shoes, etc)
- Shoes for camp (light running or hiking shoes are great)
- Baseball cap, or a brimmed hat.
- Wool or fleece hat for camp
- Sunglasses! (You will definitely want these!)
- Binoculars
- Two water bottles, One liter each (please fill them at the store, or before you arrive)
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Headlamp or flashlight, with extra batteries.
- Book, playing cards, journal.
- Any favorite snacks (we’ll provide a lot, but you may have special preferences.)
- Small camera (bring freezer grade Zip-Loc bags to protect it, if it isn’t waterproof.)
- Personal medications, as needed, including painkillers (we have First Aid kits, but prefer to keep our medications for emergencies.)
- Allergy medications—if you are allergic to bees, please bring an epi-pen!
- Sleeping Bag must be compressible to fit into one of the 20L dry bags. (we have bags to rent for a nominal $35 cleaning fee)
- Beer or wine, if you like (for insurance reasons we cannot provide alcohol)
- Toiletries
- A small hand towel<
- Earplugs
- Any personal items that you cannot live without during your trip.
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, usually two 20L bags and one 10L dry bag
- All camping gear (tents, sleeping pads, pillows, kitchen items, etc)
- All meals, including breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and hot drinks
Age Limits
If you have younger kids (under 12) then please call before making a reservation.
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 developing 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 and 225 pounds (per person) in singles. 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
Multi-Day Expeditions require a 50% deposit at time of booking. 60 or more days before the trip date, full refund of all payments less a $100 per person cancellation and handling fee. 31-59 days before the trip date, guests will be charged 50% of the entire trip cost. 0-30 days before the trip date, guests will be charged 100% of the entire trip cost and no refunds will be made. All cancellations must be in writing and charged amount is determined upon the date of receipt. 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!
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- 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.
