3-Hour Sea Kayak Tour in the San Juan Islands
Description
We are the only kayak tour company that is currently able to lead trips to Burrows Island. You will be exploring unique shorelines that few visitors to the islands are able to experience. Save time, and save money! The experience does not require the hassles of taking a ferry to San Juan Island. Anacortes, located on Fidalgo Island has two bridges connecting us to the mainland. Because you are able to drive directly to us your time on the water is maximized. Many tour companies on other islands include a lengthy shuttle ride as a part of their trip thereby reducing the actual time spent kayaking and encountering wildlife. Single kayaks are available for participants for an additional $25pp. Must be 18 years or older. (Must be requested in advance and is subject to availability.) Professionally trained guides will see to the details and ensure your comfort.
Tour Options
Itinerary
In 2013 the San Juan Islands National Monument was created. It is a unique area consisting of over 450 islands and countless rocks and reefs. What makes the San Juan Islands National Monument so special is the outstanding scenery and incredible diversity of animal species, all located in relative proximity to major population centers in both Canada and Washington State. Kayaking in the San Juan Islands is perhaps the best way to get an intimate look at what the place has to offer. You are traveling at a walking pace and so it is easy to notice the details more clearly. Your guides are familiar with the area and love to help you spot interesting sea life, as well as tell stories of the rich cultural history of this little corner of the Pacific Northwest. Join us!
After a brief kayaking lesson, you and your professional guide will depart from our custom-built kayak docks and paddle out into Burrows Bay. The wildlife encounters often begin right in the marina, with our resident seals popping up to say hello. Most trips will circumnavigate Burrows Island, one of three small islands located just offshore. On the west side of the island is the historic Burrows Island Lighthouse, and the magnificent Rosario Strait. The Salish Sea boasts the most dense population of Harbor seals in the world and there are abundant seals around Burrows island. In the summer months, the seal population swells as the pupping season gets underway, giving us fun sightings of these cute little babies. The narrow passages between Burrows Island and Allan Island are also the best place to see Harbor porpoise in Washington State. Keep your eyes open, as we sometimes encounter families of Orca whales that ply these waters in search of prey! As you make your way around the island the views across the sea reveal the Olympic Mountain and the gorgeous scenery of the San Juan Islands surrounds you. The islands of Burrows Bay are uniquely situated off the beaten path. Once you are out near the islands you will not encounter many other people, creating a peaceful and authentic San Juan Islands experience.
The beauty of the San Juan Islands is one of the top draws for tourism in Washington State. Join us as we paddle out to one of the most beautiful of the uninhabited islands and explore its shorelines!
Our lovely seaside town is worth spending some time exploring. Make sure to ask our staff about the Anacortes Community Forestlands. With over 40 miles of forested trails, hidden lakes, and epic views, it is not to be missed!
With three bridges connecting us to the mainland, we are the only island in the San Juan Islands that you can drive directly to. The convenience and beauty of Fidalgo Island makes it a perfect destination for travelers looking to make the most of their Washington State vacation.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Participants over 265 pounds may not be comfortable in the kayaks for the duration of the trip. Please call if you have questions.
- The kayaks can accommodate people up to 6 feet, 5 inches. If you have very long legs then please call before booking.
- Participants under 18 years old must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
- If you have children under 6 years old then please call before booking so that we can be sure to put you on an appropriate departure.
- DUE TO COVID-19 WE CANNOT PLACE STRANGERS INTO TANDEM KAYAKS TOGETHER. IF YOU ARE A SOLO TRAVELER THEN YOU WILL NEED TO BE FIT ENOUGH TO PADDLE YOUR OWN SINGLE KAYAK. Please call with questions or concerns.
- PLEASE CALL US AFTER BOOKING. Due to the nature of booking on a third-party site, and our small group size, we highly recommend giving us a quick call after you book to make sure that your preferred departure time works for you. During the busiest days we often run full. In the unlikely event that your preferred trip is already full then we will definitely get you out on a trip leaving at a similar time. We just don't want to cause you any disappointment. Thank you!
- If you have serious medical conditions then please consult with your physician before signing up.
- If you are feeling unwell then please choose another day to join us, after you are feeling better
Reviews(96)
Our group of 12 had a lovely 3 hour kayak trip in 4 single and 4 double kayaks, with two guides. The guides gave helpful cues and tips, and very interesting information on the geology, bull kelp, Pacific Madrone aka 'refrigerator' tree, and wildlife seen which included a bald eagle, blue heron, seals in the open and in their nursery, harbor porpoises, and jelly fish.
Our family booked the 5 hour sea kayaking tour as a fun way to enjoy the outdoors while we were in Washington. There was great email communication prior to the trip, and even a phone call the morning of our tour to make sure we were properly prepared. We arrived and were delighted to find that it would only be the 6 of us with that guide for the day. Yay for an unexpected small group! Jason introduced himself, answered all of our questions, and got our outfits and kayaks situated to go out on the water. After setting off, he did a wonderful job of talking to us about the area, explaining things we were seeing, and being politely conversational while still giving us plenty of space to enjoy the beautiful scenery. He pointed out lots of wildlife we might have missed, like river otters, bald eagles, and even guided us close enough to look at a harbor seal and her pup while educating us on them. Jason let us take the lead on determining our path/plans while we were out, but made helpful recommendations based on the weather and his observations regarding our skill level. We enjoyed our time in the kayaks and lunching on the bluff, as well as his insights into Washington, and suggestions for other things to do while we were on vacation there. We really enjoyed this day and the tour through AKT, and would recommend it to others.
They were highly recommended on Yelp along with several other companies. Most of the tour companies had the same price. The time availability, Golden Hour Tour discount, and Anacortes departure allowed us to narrow our decision. We were very pleased with our three our tour. However, it did not seem like it would work well for beginners as basic skills were needed to paddle and navigate. I never quite got comfortable with the peddles for turning and would have had them a little lower as my feet slipped off a couple times. I could not bend my knees enough to reconnect the peddles for turning on my own. Our guide assisted me which held up the tour though. We were in a tandem which worked well for us as my husband was recovering from surgery. We were covered with a skirt to keep us dry for the most part. Some water did leech in to wet our bathing suit bottoms so we were glad we brought a dry change of clothes at the end. We saw eagles, seals, jumping fish, and other birds. Whales do not come in this close to the main land so we had no expectation. The water was like glass in parts, slightly turbulent in others, and the island shores simply serene. If you stuck close to the guide, he was very knowledgeable.
A great way to see the islands and nature, up close & in person! Our guide Bence was fabulous, informative, pleasant, and conversational. We plan to do this again!
It was amazing! We had such a wonderful time! There was just enough paddling and resting for the 3hrs and we were able to see four seals swimming around us and orkas!
It was an AMAZING day on the water!! Ryan was a fantastic guide, very knowledgeable about all the different aspects of the day, wildlife, water ways and the history of the islands. The booking was super easy, and filling the waivers out ahead of time was super simple and really convenient. The folks that greeted us and checked us in were super friendly and explained the day very well. Overall this was an excellent experience and I highly recommend going with these folks.
Thanks for choosing AKT, Kevin! I appreciate that you took the time to post this review of your experience, and I am super happy to know that we were able to meet your expectations. Give us a call the next time you want to get out on the water!
Our guide was kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. We had a peaceful day on the water, seeing sea urchins, seals, and beautiful landscape. The preparation was easy and quick so that we could spend most of the time on the water. It was a great experience.
This was my second trip with AKT and I have nothing but great things to say. The booking was easy, the reminders were helpful but not overwhelming, the guide was wonderful, and the location was stunning. Got to eat some seaweed direct from the water, see a sea cucumber, pet an urchin, and spot seals, harbor porpoise, and eagles (amongst other things). Out of their control, it happened to be a spectacular day in the PNW, so the paddle itself was relaxing and the exact best way to start off the long 4th of July weekend. Thank you!
Thanks for coming back for another trip! I’m so happy to hear that we were able to meet your expectations again. It sounds like you had a lovely trip. We look forward to seeing you again someday!
We actually scheduled a 5-hour kayak tour. I am 60 and I brought my 3 kids in their 20s. I loved that it was us and our own tour guide and that he kept us together, well informed and safe. McKeegan was communicative, insightful as to the water and creatures we were seeing, and clear in his directions. It was a cool and beautiful day and he was flexible to our ask to take a longer lunch break and on our timeline for the trip. HIGHLY recommend as part of your visit to the PNW, Whidbey Island, Anacortes area.
It’s nice to know that you had a nice experience with McKeegan. We love having him on the team this year. Thanks for taking the time to post this review. We hope to see you again.
We had an absolutely incredible experience with Anacortes Kayak Tours! From start to finish, the entire operation was professional, seamless, and incredibly welcoming. The staff did a fantastic job of making sure everyone in our family felt completely safe, comfortable, and excited before we even hit the water. Our guide, Bence, was exceptional—not only highly skilled and knowledgeable about the local waters, but also fantastic at keeping everyone engaged with fascinating insights about the local wildlife and history. Porpoises, eagles, herons… everything you hope to see. The highlight was an harbor seal, swimming up beside the kayaks, rolling on his back, and my daughter swears it waved to say hello. Gliding through the stunning scenery was breathtaking, and experiencing the natural beauty of the area from the water was unforgettable. It was the perfect balance of a great outdoor activity and a relaxing, scenic adventure. If you are looking for a top-tier, family-friendly excursion with a team that truly cares about giving you a great experience, look no further. We cannot recommend Anacortes Kayak Tours enough and will absolutely be back!
Wow, thank you so much for taking the time to post this wonderful review of your experience. I am so happy to hear that we were able to meet your expectations and that your family had a fun time. That Harbor seal encounter sounded amazing! We would love to see you again someday!
