How much food and gear can I bring on a self-catered trip?
A lot more than you might think, especially if you are going to be paddling in a tandem kayak with your partner. The middle hatch of the tandem kayaks is pretty large. On fully-catered trips we can pack a double burner stove, pots and pans, several food dry bags, and various other small items. Most of our self-catered guests tend to pack as they would for a backpacking trip, but in a tandem kayak you have far more room. Weight is not much of a problem in a kayak.
If your camping gear is backpacking oriented, and your sleeping bag is compressible then you are fine. You can bring a lot more food and drink than you would ever dream to carry on a backpack trip. If you would like to talk about specific dimensional restrictions then please don’t hesitate to give us a call!
Will I get the same experience, and level of service, on a Self-Catered trip?
Absolutely!
On Self-Catered trips the destinations are the same and the guide service is identical to any other trip that we offer. The only difference is that you’ll be in charge of your own meals in camp, and you’ll be using your own equipment.
I have an extra large car-camping tent. Can I bring it?
Give us a call so that we can learn just how big your tent is. We may not have dry bags that can protect it, so you may need to pack it in a heavy duty plastic bag.
Also, some of the camp sites are smaller and might have difficulty accommodating a very large shelter.
Sleeping bags have the same limitations. You will want to bring a compressible sleeping bag to fit into a 20L dry bag.
Will we see any whales?
This is probably the most popular question that we hear on the phone. We see whales on all of our different trips, but the frequency and proximity of sightings is impossible to predict. In the summers of 2016 and 2017 our Anacortes departures saw whales more than any other trip in the San Juan Islands. We advise our guests to set reasonable expectations. The animals travel over a wide area (over 100 miles/day) and are unfortunately not concerned about our hopes and dreams of seeing them. More time on the water is the best way to increase your odds of a whale encounter but there is no way for outfitters to honestly predict a sighting, beware of anyone in the San Juan Islands who advertise otherwise. For more information about this subject please visit our Kayaking with Orca whales page.
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 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 Day Trips option and our Single Kayaks for Multi-day Trips option pages 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 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.
Every person will be assigned 2 20L dry bags and 1 10L dry bag for their gear. Self-catered trips will also receive a 10L dry bag for their tents, and an assortment of dry bags for their food and 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.
We recommend having one outfit you wear on the water and another you save for camp. This ensures that your dry clothes will stay that way! Here’s what we like to wear while we’re kayaking:
- -dry shorts or pants. Hiking or yoga pants, gym shorts, etc. Avoid cotton!
- -dry shirt. Long sleeves are best to protect your arms against the elements. Avoid cotton!
- Thicker thermal layer for your torso.
- Wind breaker, or rain jacket if weather demands it.
- Water-compatible shoes. Tevas, Chacos, water socks, old tennis shoes, or anything else you’re comfortable getting wet.
- Sunglasses.
- Baseball cap or brimmed hat.
We’ll provide a 10-liter (8x14 inch) bag for you to use as a day bag, where you can pack all the essentials you’ll want access to while you’re out on the water:
- Sunscreen.
- Camera. Bring a ziplock to keep it dry!
- Binoculars.
- Personal medications. This includes painkillers and allergy medications (if you’re allergic to bees, please bring your EpiPen!).
- Snacks. Our catered trips include tons of great food, but feel free to bring your favorite treats as well!
We’ll also provide a 20-liter (11x19 inch) bag for you to pack the rest of your personal items.
- Long underwear. Wool or synthetic, top and bottom.
- Spare shirt and pants. Avoid cotton if possible!
- Fleece jacket or non-cotton sweatshirt.
- Socks and underwear. Bring enough to make you happy!
- Light rain jacket and rain pants.
- Wool or fleece hat.
- Bug spray.
- Headlamp or flashlight. Don’t forget extra batteries!
- Book.
- Playing cards or other games.
- Toiletries. Remember there will be no running water at your campsite!
- Hand towel.
- Earplugs.
- Any personal items that you cannot live without during your trip!
You’ll receive a second 20-liter dry bag for your sleeping bag. It must be a compressible sleeping bag in order to fit! We also have sleeping bags available for rent; just let us know if you’re interested.
We’ll also provide dry bags for the rest of your gear, which should include:
- Tent. Must be a reasonably compact backpacking tent!
- Sleeping pads. Must compress; go for Thermarest or equivalent if possible.
- Stoves and fuel. Small backpacking stoves work best!
- Kitchen utensils. Pots/pans, knives, silverware, plates/bowls, etc.
- Food! You may want to consider bringing a small soft cooler for more perishable items.
- Water! Check with us to determine whether potable water will be available on the islands you’ll be visiting. We recommend budgeting about a gallon per person per day, including two one-liter water bottles for use during the day.
Extras:
- Shoes for camp. We recommend light running or hiking shoes; something comfortable but with enough tread on them that you can enjoy the trails many of our islands have to offer!
- Beer or wine. All our trips are BYOB! For those who wish to partake, we ask that you try to avoid glass containers; we recommend beer in cans and boxed wine!
Missing something? Contact us about renting any gear you might need!
What you don’t need to worry about:
- All kayaking gear.
We have top-of-the-line boats, paddles, life jackets, and spray skirts to keep you safe and comfortable on the water.
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 on 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
We have a 60-day cancellation policy for these trips. 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.
