Delicious Cuisine!
Weight is not much of an issue on multi-day sea kayaking trips and so you can plan a much fancier meal plan than on a backpacking trip. There is room in our boats for a small cooler (please ask about dimensions, especially if you are in a single kayak), as well as plenty of room for those special extra treats. If you like to enjoy a drink at the end of the day then be sure to bring along plenty of beer or wine!
If you have any questions about how much food and drink that you can bring then be sure to call. We’d be happy to help you plan.
Camping!
This is a true expedition camping experience! Once you depart from the beach you will be entirely self-sufficient, carrying all that you need in your kayaks. We have many Marine Parks in the San Juan Islands, each one has a slightly different character and all are beautiful, Water is available at some campsites, but not at all of them. We will let you know how much water you will need to bring. High-tech composting toilets have been installed by Washington State land managers for your convenience. All of the campsites are located on or near the landing beaches and so only limited portaging of gear is required.
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 Self Catered Kayaking Trip is best suited for people who like to use their own gear and prefer to cook their own meals. 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 in the Self Catered Package:
- Professional guiding service.
- All of your kayaking equipment (boats, paddles, lifejackets, dry bags, etc).
- All camping 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 have any questions at all then please call us. We are happy to assist you.
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 $25/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.
Our Self-Catered Package has the exact same itinerary, and the exact same level of customer service, as any of our Fully Catered Multi-Day Kayaking Trips. Many times there will be Fully-Catered and Self-Catered people together on the same trip. You choose which of our destinations that you would like to experience and we will get you out there!
Multi-Day Sea Kayaking Expeditions
May–September: departure dates and times vary; call for details. • Two-person minimum for all reservations.
Single Kayak Trip Option: + $35 per person per day • Custom Sea Kayak Tours available
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.
I have an extra large car-camping tent. Can I bring it?
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 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”
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.
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”
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.
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!”
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.
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”
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”
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”
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”
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 you 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 trip 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.
