San Juan Islands Family Adventure

San Juan Islands Family Adventure – 2013 Itinerary:

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• Day 1 Welcome to the San Juan Islands, where our adventure begins today in Friday Harbor. Travel to Roche Harbor for an afternoon paddle to begin discovering the wild and scenic San Juans!

  Your trip begins today in Friday Harbor, Washington. Depart your hometown and arrive in Seattle, then transfer independently to Friday Harbor (ferry or floatplane transfers available). We meet as a group at 11:30 a.m. at the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal. After we get to know each other a bit, we're whisked away to Roche Harbor where the fun begins with a half-day kayak trip on the north end of San Juan Island. We'll learn about this amazing and unique place and how everything in the San Juan Islands is interconnected, from kelp to jellyfish, seals to orca whales. Watch for seals, shorebirds, porpoise and more as we get a feel for paddling and then enjoy a picnic lunch on a picturesque beach. After our kayaking adventure, we'll return to San Juan Island and check into our comfortable canvas tent cabins at Lakedale Resort. Before dinner, there is time to clean up and relax a bit. Then, enjoy the first of many freshly prepared meals featuring locally sourced organic ingredients expertly prepared by your guides. After dinner, we'll have a fireside discussion about the Puget Sound watershed from the Cascades to the coast that will hint a bit at what fun is in store! Lunch and dinner included.
  
  Sea Kayaking: 1-3 hours; Open water with waves, tides, currents.

• Day 2 Hike from American Camp to Cattle Point Lighthouse in the morning, watching for foxes, eagles, seals and more. Then, enjoy a very special visit to the University of Washington labs, where scientists will give an inside look at life under the sea in the San Juan Islands.

  After a tasty breakfast, we'll load into the van and head south to American Camp for an easy morning walk to an exceptionally stunning view point. Our trail leads us across a special prairie habitat with great views of Haro Strait and the snow-capped Olympic Mountains. We'll watch for foxes, eagles, otters, seals, and more as we make our way to Cattle Point Lighthouse. After a picnic lunch at the lighthouse, we're off to the University of Washington labs on San Juan Island for a private tour of the special and strange underwater world of San Juan Island. The lab's own biologists will introduce us to living invertebrates in the labs "touch tanks", where we'll have the chance to touch and interact with a wide variety of the animals living in the intertidal zones of the island's shore. This is truly an amazing way to learn about these strange and fascinating creatures! Following the tour at the lab, we'll return to our tent cabins to clean up and rest before another big family dinner. Following dinner, we'll prepare ourselves for tomorrow's big adventure – an overnight kayak and camping trip! All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 1 mile / 1-2 hours; Mostly flat, gravel trail.

• Day 3 Set out for an amazing overnight kayak tour to Jones Island State Park, where we set up camp, play on the beach and dine in the open fresh air.

  After breakfast, we're off today to Friday Harbor where we'll set out for an amazing overnight kayaking tour! On this adventure we'll head into the San Juan Channel and tour of several beautiful islands, including Yellow Island and the Wasp Islands. We'll have a picnic lunch at the midway point, then continue on to Jones Island state park, where we'll set up our camp for the night. In the afternoon you can relax at camp, enjoy an afternoon hike around this beautiful island, or make your way on a hot day to one of the nearby low bank beaches where the 48 degree water will cool you down quickly! Come on back to camp for an amazing backcountry dinner, then set out for an optional sunset paddle or a short hike to the western viewpoint for a blazing San Juan sunset. All meals included.
  
  Sea Kayaking: 5-8 miles / 3-4 hours; Open water with waves, tides, currents. Hiking (optional): 1 mile / 1 hour.

• Day 4 Kayak back to San Juan Island through the protected waters watching for porpoise, seals, and even orca whales. Along the shoreline, spot invertebrates and tide pool life as we go.

  After our breakfast in camp, we load up all the gear, pack our boats and venture out by kayak once again, heading across Speiden Channel towards the north side of San Juan Island. Today, we'll continue to watch for eagles, seals, porpoise and even orca whales if they happen to be in the area. Much of the saltwater and shoreline in the San Juan Islands is protected wildlife refuge and sightings of spectacular birds and mammals is a regular occurrence. Along the coastline, we'll look for intertidal activity and in the tide pools we'll likely see many of our invertebrate friends that we learned about at the University of Washington labs just a short time ago. On a remote beach on the north side of the island, we'll have a picnic lunch and as with any day on the water, we'll enjoy spectacular views of the North Cascades and Olympic Mountains. Once we're back to Roche Harbor we'll return to the lodge for showers and down time before dinner overlooking the Lake. Total paddle distance today depends entirely on the strength and interest of the group. We can do as little as 5 miles or as many as 12 if the group is very strong and excited to be in the boats. Today's paddling route is truly spectacular and it's worth spending some extra time on the water. Before dinner, rest a bit and then get fitted for your bike – tomorrow we explore the island on two wheels! All meals included.
  
  Sea Kayaking: 5-8 miles / 3-4 hours depending on the group; Open water with waves, tides, currents.

• Day 5 Bike the rolling hills of San Juan Island, past neat family farms and some of the island’s best viewpoints. Then, enjoy an interactive tour of the Whale Museum in Friday Harbor.

  Breakfast at the lodge starts the day today, then we're on the bikes and off to a great day of biking around the island. Leaving camp, we'll head north along Roche Harbor road - gently rolling along the eastern shore of San Juan Island. We'll head inland after a bit on West Valley, meandering south and west past many small family farms as we ride across the island to the western coast. There are many great places to take breaks along this road and look out over the small valleys and farms. We'll see wooly alpacas grazing in their fields, acres of hops swaying in the breeze and much more. Finally after a bit more riding, we arrive at the West Side road where we ride to outstanding San Juan County park. We'll take in the amazing views here, then coast down to Lime Kiln park where we'll watch for whales over lunch and snacks. After lunch, our van will take us back to the lodge where we'll clean up then set out for an afternoon tour of San Juan Islands famous Whale Museum. Our narrated tour of the museum will include interactive exhibits for the family and is a great way to learn about the amazing marine mammals of the Salish Sea. After our Whale Museum interactive tour, we return to the Lodge for dinner on the deck. This is our final dinner together, and we'll celebrate new friends and memories on the deck overlooking the lake. All meals included.
  
  Cycling: 12 miles (all fully van supported and all optional) / 3-4 hours; Mostly paved roads, some gravel roads, with rolling hills and a few steeper sections.  

• Day 6 Enjoy a naturalist-guided whale watching tour on one of the islands’ most environmentally friendly boats, or opt for to hike up Mt. Young before our San Juan Island family adventure ends today in Friday Harbor.

  On our final morning on the island, we'll set out for a great hike around English Camp and on to the top of Mt. Young. Or, experience an unforgettable whale watch tour. On one of the most environmentally friendly boats in the islands, enjoy an expert naturalist's view on the diverse marine life that surrounds us. The trip may afford opportunities to view orca whales, humpbacks, porpoise and more. Our hikers will have a picnic lunch at English camp before meeting up with our whale watchers in Roche Harbor for our group farewell at the beach. We'll plan to return to Friday Harbor around 4 p.m. today to retrieve our luggage and say farewell. Flight reservations departing Friday Harbor can be scheduled after 5:30 p.m. Flights home from Seattle-Tacoma Airport can be scheduled after 10 p.m. We recommend allowing plenty of flexibility on your return to Seattle. We cannot guarantee our return to Friday Harbor before 4 p.m. today. Breakfast and lunch included.
  
  Hiking: 2 miles / 2 hours; 800 ft. elevation gain/loss on Mt. Young.

San Juan Islands Family Adventure – 2014 Itinerary:

Show more for all days

• Day 1 Welcome to the San Juan Islands, where our adventure begins today in Friday Harbor. We start with a visit to the famous Whale Museum and then get whisked away to Roche Harbor for an afternoon paddle in the scenic San Juans!

  Our trip begins today in Friday Harbor, Washington. Depart your hometown and arrive in Seattle, then transfer independently to Friday Harbor (ferry or floatplane transfers available). We meet as a group at 11:30 a.m. at the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal. We head on over to the San Juan Islands famous Whale Museum which has interactive exhibits for the family and is a great way to learn about the amazing marine mammals of the Salish Sea, some of which we will encounter over the next few days. After our Whale Museum tour, we're whisked away to Roche Harbor where the fun begins with a half-day kayak trip on the north end of San Juan Island. We'll learn about this amazing and unique place and how everything in the San Juan Islands is interconnected, from kelp to jellyfish, seals to orca whales. Watch for seals, shorebirds, porpoise and more as we get a feel for paddling and then enjoy a picnic lunch on a picturesque beach. After our kayaking adventure, we'll return to San Juan Island and check into our comfortable canvas tent cabins at Lakedale Resort. Before dinner, there is time to clean up and relax a bit before getting fitted for your bike- tomorrow we explore the island on two wheels! Then, enjoy the first of many freshly prepared meals featuring locally sourced ingredients expertly prepared by your guides. After dinner, we will have an island marine biologist come by for a fireside discussion about orca whales and other aquatic creatures we may be seeing over the next few days! Lunch and dinner included.
  
  Sea Kayaking: 1-3 hours; Open water with waves, tides, currents.

• Day 2 Bike the rolling hills of San Juan Island, past quaint family farms, alpacas grazing in the fields and some of the island's best viewpoints. Then, enjoy a special visit to the University of Washington labs, where we get an inside look at life under the sea in the San Juan Islands.

  Breakfast at the lodge starts the day today, then we're on the bikes and off to a great day of biking around the island. Leaving camp, we'll head north along Roche Harbor road - gently rolling along the eastern shore of San Juan Island. We'll head inland after a bit on West Valley, meandering south and west past many small family farms as we ride across the island to the western coast. There are many great places to take breaks along this road and look out over the small valleys and farms. We'll see wooly alpacas grazing in their fields, acres of hops swaying in the breeze and much more. Finally after a bit more riding, we arrive at the West Side road where we ride to outstanding San Juan County park. We'll take in the amazing views here, then coast down to Lime Kiln park where we'll watch for whales over lunch and snacks. After lunch at the lighthouse, we're off to the University of Washington labs on San Juan Island for a private tour of the special and strange underwater world of San Juan Island. This is our chance to observe living invertebrates up close in the labs "touch tanks", where we'll have the chance to touch and interact with a wide variety of the animals living in the intertidal zones of the island's shore. This is truly an amazing way to learn about these strange and fascinating creatures! Following the tour at the lab, we'll return to our tent cabins to clean up and rest before another big family dinner. Following dinner, we'll prepare ourselves for tomorrow's big adventure – an overnight kayak and camping trip! All meals included.
  
  Cycling: 12 miles (all fully van supported and all optional; longer options available / 3-4 hours; mostly paved roads, some gravel roads, with rolling hills and a few steeper sections.

• Day 3 Set out for an amazing overnight kayak tour to Jones Island State Park, where we set up camp, play on the beach and dine in the open fresh air.

  After breakfast, we're off today to Friday Harbor where we'll set out for an amazing overnight kayaking tour! On this adventure we'll head into the San Juan Channel and tour of several beautiful islands, including Yellow Island and the Wasp Islands. We'll have a picnic lunch at the midway point, then continue on to Jones Island state park, where we'll set up our camp for the night. In the afternoon you can relax at camp, enjoy an afternoon hike around this beautiful island, or make your way on a hot day to one of the nearby low bank beaches where the 48 degree water will cool you down quickly! Come on back to camp for an amazing backcountry dinner, then set out for an optional sunset paddle or a short hike to the western viewpoint for a blazing San Juan sunset. All meals included.
  
  Sea Kayaking: 5-8 miles / 3-4 hours; Open water with waves, tides, currents. Hiking (optional): 1 mile / 1 hour.

• Day 4 Kayak back to San Juan Island through the protected waters watching for porpoise, seals, and even orca whales. Along the shoreline, spot invertebrates and tide pool life as we go. Back in Roche Harbor we check into our resort and enjoy a beachfront cookout!

  After our breakfast in camp, we load up all the gear, pack our boats and venture out by kayak once again, heading across Speiden Channel towards the north side of San Juan Island. Today, we'll continue to watch for eagles, seals, porpoise and even orca whales if they happen to be in the area. Much of the saltwater and shoreline in the San Juan Islands is protected wildlife refuge and sightings of spectacular birds and mammals is a regular occurrence. Along the coastline, we'll look for intertidal activity and in the tide pools we'll likely see many of our invertebrate friends that we learned about at the University of Washington labs just a short time ago. On a remote beach on the north side of the island, we'll have a picnic lunch and as with any day on the water, we'll enjoy spectacular views of the North Cascades and Olympic Mountains. Total paddle distance today depends entirely on the strength and interest of the group. We can do as little as 5 miles or as many as 12 if the group is very strong and excited to be in the boats. Today's paddling route is truly spectacular and it's worth spending some extra time on the water. Once we're back to Roche Harbor we'll check into the resort and rest a bit before enjoying our last dinner together over a beachfront cookout! All meals included.
  
  Sea Kayaking: 5-8 miles / 3-4 hours depending on the group; open water with waves, tides, currents.

• Day 5 Enjoy a naturalist-guided whale watching tour on one of the islands' most environmentally friendly boats, or opt for to hike up Mt. Young before our San Juan Island family adventure ends today in Friday Harbor.

  On our final morning on the island, we'll set out for a great hike around English Camp and on to the top of Mt. Young. Or, experience an unforgettable whale watch tour. On one of the most environmentally friendly boats in the islands, enjoy an expert naturalist's view on the diverse marine life that surrounds us. The trip may afford opportunities to view orca whales, humpbacks, porpoise and more. Our hikers will have a picnic lunch at English camp before meeting up with our whale watchers in Roche Harbor for our group farewell at the beach. We'll plan to return to Friday Harbor around 4 p.m. today to retrieve our luggage and say farewell. Flight reservations departing Friday Harbor can be scheduled after 5:30 p.m. Flights home from Seattle-Tacoma Airport can be scheduled after 10 p.m. We recommend allowing plenty of flexibility on your return to Seattle. We cannot guarantee our return to Friday Harbor before 4 p.m. today. Breakfast and lunch included.
  
  Hiking: 2 miles / 2 hours; 800 ft. elevation gain/loss on Mt. Young.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control including weather and terrain conditions.

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.

Camping permits and associated fees; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; all tent and tent-cabin accommodations; all group camping equipment (tents, cooking gear, utensils, etc.); all kayaking equipment and dry bags; bikes and bike helmets; admission to the whale museum; optional Whale Watch cruise.

Transportation to/from Friday Harbor; pre- or post-trip accommodations in Friday Harbor; insurance of any kind; excess baggage charges or airport taxes (if any); alcoholic beverages or soft drinks; guide gratuities; items of a personal nature.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Beginners are welcome - it is not necessary to be an experienced kayaker although it is beneficial to have had some previous kayaking or canoeing experience (prior camping experience is also a plus but not mandatory). You should be at ease in a small boat on the open water and know how to swim. A typical day will consist of 3-4 hours of activity (paddling or hiking) with occasional breaks for sightseeing, wildlife viewing and meals. Participants should come equipped with a spirit of adventure and willingness to pitch-in and help with camp chores when necessary.

The San Juans average 50 percent less precipitation than Seattle itself. This is due to the rain shadow effect of the Olympic Mountains located to the south and west. On a number of islands you’ll find prickly pear cactus - a true testimony to the dryness of the region. During summer months, expect moderate to warm daytime temperatures in the upper 60s and 70s with evening temperatures in the 50s. Most days are sunny with occasional fog in the early morning.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. This gear list has been created to help you in choosing your equipment for the trip. Try to bring only what is necessary as this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

Expect daytime temperatures in the upper 60s and 70s (slightly cooler in June), with evening temperatures dropping into the 50s. Although days are generally sunny and dry, you must be prepared for wet, cold and windy weather. It is important to bring adequate insulating clothing and raingear for this trip. Please review the "Things to Consider" section on the back of this gear list.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Please remember to always pack essential items such as appropriate identification, money, eyewear, a pair of shorts/shirt/fleece top/footwear and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
• Be sure to bring clothing for both warm and cool weather. For cool weather it is important to dress in layers. Do not bring cotton clothing for warmth. Once cotton becomes wet it drains your body heat. Synthetic fabrics including Capilene, polypropylene, MTS or Thermax are best.
• Here's what our guides typically wear while paddling: Nylon shorts (with long underwear beneath if the weather is cool) and a long-sleeved synthetic shirt. A waterproof paddling jacket and rain pants are kept close at hand on cool/misty days as well.
• While in the kayak, wetsuit booties work best. Water shoes, or shoes that can get wet (such as an old pair of tennis shoes), are also an option.
• When it's time to pack gear into the boats, keep your sleeping bag and sleeping pad separate. They can individually fit into the nooks and crannies. All your personal items and extra clothes must fit inside the provided large-sized dry bag. Your rain gear, hat, gloves, camera, etc. is packed in the medium-sized dry bag – this is stowed between your legs for easy access while kayaking. Your guide helps with packing questions at the orientation meeting and gives out dry bags. Extra luggage is stored on San Juan Island until you return.
• Plastic bags are the key to keeping clothing and gear dry. Please line the inside of your sleeping bag stuff sack with a large hefty bag. Consider using resealable plastic bags to keep wet clothes separate from dry clothes, or simply use the dry bags provided by your guides.
• If you are taking a floatplane to/from Friday Harbor, note that a weight limit on luggage (usually a 24-pound maximum) will be strictly enforced. Excess baggage charges will apply.