2-Day from Anacortes

Designed to be the easiest and most convenient multi-day kayaking tour in the San Juan Islands, this 2-Day kayak trip to the remarkable Cypress Island Marine Reserve is a fantastic travel destination. This is the least physically demanding sea kayaking expedition in the San Juan Islands. It offers unbeatable opportunities to encounter wildlife and to experience the San Juan Islands National Monument in a way that won’t disrupt the rest of your vacation time. Join us!

May - September

All Inclusive: $499 Adults | $475 Kids 12 and under
Self-Catered: $425 Adults | $400 Kids 12 and under
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, 4-person minimum. **Single occupancy, private tent: $50 fee.
More Info: Rates & Schedules

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  • All-Inclusive
  • Self-Catered

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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 the trips to Cypress Island are the most popular kayak expeditions that we offer. Depart directly from Anacortes to make the most of your time!

Abundant 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 strange 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.

Beautiful Scenery

While sea kayaking in the Cypress Island Reserve you will be visiting some of the least developed shorelines in the San Juan Islands. On clear days the active volcano Mount Baker watches over Cypress Island from the crest of the Cascade Mountain Range. Trails from the camp areas meander through mature forests and if you make it up to Eagle Cliff you’ll be rewarded with one of the best views in the San Juans.

Healthy 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 locally from the many organic farms here in the Skagit and Samish River valleys, and we like to use fresh seasonal ingredients in all of our dishes. Of all the compliments we receive, the feedback about our delicious food tends to rise above the rest.

Camping

This 2-Day adventure is an 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 2-day trips, we camp in one of the two campgrounds located within the Reserve. The camp areas on Cypress Island are located just a few miles apart on the eastern shoreline, offering beautiful views of the Cone Islands and the Cascade Mountain Range.

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 Two) 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 afterward!
  • 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

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A weekend getaway in Washington doesn’t come much easier, or more affordable, than our 2-Day kayaking and camping trip to Cypress Island. This outstanding San Juan island is entirely surrounded by a Marine Biological Reserve, and much of the forested uplands have been designated as Natural Area Preserves. This virtually guarantees the most outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities anywhere in the San Juan Islands, and the closest thing you can get to a wilderness kayaking experience in the Puget Sound area!

Washington State saw the unique opportunity to preserve an outstanding natural area in the San Juan islands and began setting aside portions of Cypress Island back in 1923. Since then nearly 90% of the island has been protected and placed into a large reserve that also includes the five uninhabited islands surrounding Cypress. There are no full time residents here, and only a handful of small cabins which are mostly owned by long-time island families.

If you want to experience sea kayaking in the most wild, and least developed place in the San Juan Islands then we encourage you to join us on this fun-filled journey!

Is this for you?

We specialize in small group, all inclusive, multi-day sea kayak trips in the San Juans.

  • On these multi-day sea kayaking expeditions we strictly adhere to a 6 guest per guide ratio.
  • All trips larger than 6 people will have two guides.
  • Groups of 6 or more guests can choose to have a private kayaking experience! (multi-day trips only)
  • A small sea kayaking group can move much more efficiently. We need less time attending to logistical issues like setting up or breaking camp and have more time for exploring and having fun in the San Juan Islands.

The longer multi-day sea kayaking expeditions are best suited for folks in reasonably good shape. Occasionally there is a need to make a long push to get to the next campsite and we would not want to wear anyone out on a long crossing. We actually design these trips to be a little more physically involved. 5 day trips might average 8-10 miles per day paddling.

Anacortes Kayak Tours reserves the right to change or cancel available departure dates and prices. Once you book a kayak tour with us we will run it, as long as weather conditions permit us to conduct a safe sea kayaking excursion.