Best American Adventures: Sea Kayak the San Juan Islands

 

We've just updated our popular America's Best Adventures feature with 50 new trips, bringing our grand total to 100 iconic escapes (see the map, state-by-state list, and photo gallery, too). So no matter what your pleasure—hiking, heli-skiing, surfing, climbing, biking, or paddling—we've got the perfect adventure for you. Check in each day for a new, out-the-backdoor adventure highlighted here on our blog.

By Kate Siber; Photograph by Erin Moriarty, My Shot

For sea kayakers, the San Juan Islands combine the best of all worlds: Only an hour ferry ride from the mainland, they’re sheltered from ocean swells by the Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island, and yet, with some 170 islands and islets, they offer endless opportunities for adventure. Though kayakers can easily put in just a few hours of paddling, doing so for several days offer a true immersion.

On a five-day custom trip with outfitter Discovery Sea Kayaks, kayakers paddle for much of each day, encountering resident endangered orcas, porpoises, and bald eagles. The islands, some of which are still uninhabited, are rugged and choked with forests and invite exploration with spectacular bluffs, sandy beaches, and tide pools teeming with sea stars up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) across. On clear days, views of Mount Baker and the Olympic Mountains rise toward the east and south. On dark summer evenings, kayaks form a stream of glowing green as they ply the bioluminescent waters. Come nightfall, guides scout a campsite on a secluded island where paddlers trade stories over a driftwood campfire and fall asleep to the sound of the gentle surf.

Need to Know: Discovery Sea Kayaks’ (www.discoveryseakayak.com) five-day trips cost $875 per person. The outfitter also offers half-day, full-day, and other multiday trips.

Comments

[medical-x-ray]

I really like your efforts with this articles. But I want to suggest you one thing don’t you think that you should write little bit short articles?

[buy handbags]

Thanks for sharing! The reason for your blog is always to document your life and give your personal thoughts. A few idea are usually distinct with me but incredibly specific. What you would like to offer to the modern society, I believe I've been recognized that. As long as everyone do good and assume that.h

[office 2010]

The information you provide must for some people is very important, I am also very interested in this content, thank you! I've always been concerned about your article, the content of this course, I may have different views, but the information you provide is very helpful for me, I always support you, yes, I have been doing.
20110124pilipalagaga

[rukiye]

Beautiful picture

[Hilton Caribe San Juan]

Beautiful picture. I've read only good things about the sporting opportunities in San Juan - Kayak, bike riding etc.

[ugg sundance ii boots]

Best sell!Go to our store and have a glance of ugg sundance ii boots you will get amazing!Superior quality and low price,In addition fast delivery and free shipping!

[office 2010 pro]

How to make your computer work more efficient for you? office 2010 pro will a good choice for you!They are on hot sale now,what's more free shipping and low price!

[office 2007]

DO YOU WANT TO BUY ANY MICROSOFT OFFICE PRODUCT? buy office 2007 GO TO OUR ONLINE STORE TO HAVE A LOOK.FREE SHIPPING.

[air jordans]

Thanks for sharing your article. I really enjoyed it. I put a link to my site to here so other people can read it. My readers have about the same interets

[Nike Shox Rivalry]

Bad manners has two kinds: the first kind is 19 shyness, The second kind is disorderly behaviour and despise, To avoid this two kinds of situations, only to observe this rule is, don't look down on yourself, don't look down on others.

[viagra online]

Tez (who also produced the show) displays what seems to me a pitch-perfect Bronx accent and a powerful mixture of vulnerability and aggression which makes her a name to watch. London is over-supplied with talented young actresses, but this is one performer who deserves to be seen on a bigger stage.

[Helena]

Don't forget about the "gulf islands" just north of the San Juan islands off the rugged coast of Vancouver Island.

Plenty of charm and natural beauty. Modern services and a chance to partake of great Canadian beer.

see you there!!
Helena
owner
Plan Your Stay