San Juan Islands Kayaking Weekend

San Juan Islands Kayaking Weekend Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Friday Harbor, Washington.  Depart your hometown and travel to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island. Ferry or floatplane transfers are available from Seattle. We meet as a group around 1:30 p.m. at the ferry terminal in Friday Harbor. We’ll drive to our put-in where guides discuss paddling basics with the group and thoroughly review essentials. After loading the kayaks with our gear and provisions, we paddle a short distance to picturesque Posey Island.  Posey Island supports only one group of campers at a time, so we’ll look forward to having the island all to ourselves. We’ll set up camp and eat an amazing dinner as we watch the sun sink into the horizon.  Paddling distance: 3 miles; paddling time: 1 hour; Dinner included.

• Day 2

  After a hearty breakfast we’ll paddle and explore the waters surrounding Posey Island.  A circumnavigation of Henry Island affords great paddling and an opportunity to journey into Haro Straight, a favorite salmon-hunting ground for resident orca whales.  We may alternatively choose to explore the protected waters of Garrison Bay and attempt a hike to the top of Mt. Young for sweeping views of the U.S. and Canadian San Juan Islands. If conditions are favorable, though, we plan to paddle open water today, with waves, tides and currents.  Most often the paddling is moderate, but can be more difficult if conditions are rough.
  
  After a day of kayaking we’ll return to our Posey Island campsite and a well-earned dinner. After dinner, if there is interest, we’ll go for an amazing evening bioluminescence paddle. Paddling distance: 8 miles; paddling time: 5 hours; All meals included.

• Day 3

  After another delicious backcountry breakfast, we break camp and prepare for our final day of paddling.  Depending on where we’ve previously toured, our guides will select a route for today’s last paddle that will provide more opportunities to watch for Salish Sea wildlife, which may include Dall’s porpoise, harbor seals, bald eagles, rhinoceros auklets, marbled murrelets, harlequin ducks and more.  While there is no guarantee you’ll see wildlife while kayaking in the San Juan archipelago, it is a rich, diverse ecosystem and participants typically enjoy great wildlife viewing opportunities.  After a day of paddling we will get you back into Friday Harbor in time for an evening ferry ride or flight home.  Flights departing Friday Harbor should be scheduled for after 5:30 p.m.  Flights home from Seattle should be scheduled for after 9 p.m.  We recommend allowing plenty of flexibility on your return to Seattle.  While we plan on returning to Friday Harbor in time for the 5:00 p.m. ferry back to Anacortes, we cannot guarantee that the ferries will run on time.  REI Adventures always recommends purchasing travel insurance, especially if you’ve planned your air itinerary around the 5:00 p.m. ferry departure.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. The final paddling route is left up to the discretion of the guides, and is based upon trip members’ skill and weather conditions, including wind, waves and currents.

Professional instruction and guiding; all meals from dinner on Day One through lunch on Day Three; 2 nights camping accommodation, double kayaks including all kayaking equipment.

Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; park entrance fees where required; insurance of any kind; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; guide gratuities and items of a personal nature.

The San Juans average 50% less precipitation than Seattle. This is due to the rain shadow effect of the Olympic Mountains located to the south and west.  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. Rain is always a possibility in the Northwest, though, so adequate raingear is still important.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Weekend Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and detailed pre-trip information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days 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.

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