The San Juan Islands offer relatively easy access to
some fascinating marine mammals. Orca whales are consistently found from
late May through October feeding on the migrating salmon passing through
Haro Strait. The orca population consists of 3 pods and number over 82
individually identified whales. We also may have opportunities to
observe minke whales, harbor seals, Dall's porpoise and river otter. Our
trip is designed to lead us into close encounters with wildlife without
disturbing them in their natural environment.
In terms of birds, the archipelago hosts over 290 different species of
birds which use the islands and surrounding habitat for breeding,
nesting, and fall and winter migrations. The San Juans also host one of
the largest bald eagle nesting populations in the continental United
States.
Surrounded by the crystal-green waters of Puget Sound, the San Juan
islands are composed of approximately 350 rocks and islands. Our trip is
designed to provide participants with numerous "hands-on" opportunities
to observe, study and learn more about the fascinating marine mammals
and birds that range along the east side of Haro Strait. Quiet and
unobtrusive, double kayaks provide the perfect means for exploring the
myriad forms of sea life we encounter. Our trips may include a pre-dawn
paddle to watch the sun rise or a special night paddle to watch the
bioluminescence. Located in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains,
the islands receive 50% less rain than Seattle and the nearby area. This
helps make them an ideal sea kayaking destination.
To increase your appreciation of the wildlife and birds that you will be
encountering, your naturalist/guide will share his/her knowledge
throughout the trip. These informal sessions will focus on a variety of
topics such as basic bird identification, marine mammal biology and
behavior as well as basic kayak navigation, how to negotiate tides and
currents, etc. We will also practice responsible wilderness ethics such
as leaving a site cleaner than when we arrived.
Map
FAQ
History
Cuisine
ZZ-SKSJ01-1
1. Four days Orcas Whale Watch
$ 675 per person
"Le grand" expedition style tour of the San Juans exploring and
camping on some of the most scenic islands in the archipelago. An extra
bonus: These trips feature our gourmet Dutch oven cookery.
2008 Dates:
05/25-05/28 07/07-07/10
07/21-07/24 08/04-08/07 08/11-08/14
09/01-09/04 09/08-09/11
ZZ-SKSJ01-2
2. Three day San Juan Islands
$ 550 per person
2008 Dates:
07/22-07/24 07/25-07/27 07/29-07/31
08/01-08/03 08/05-08/07 08/08-08/10 08/12-08/14
08/15-08/17 08/19-08/21 08/22-08/24 08/26-08/28
08/30-09/01 09/02-09/04 09/05-09/07 09/09-09/11
09/12-09/14 09/16-09/18 09/19-09/21 09/23-09/25
09/23-09/25
Map
FAQ
History
Cuisine
Top
Sample Itinerary 4 day Tour
Our four day sojourn allows us to spend time kayaking
and exploring some of the finest islands and scenery the San Juan
Archipelago has to offer. After loading the kayaks, your guide will go
over the basics of fitting you to your boat, paddling and steering and
reviewing our safety procedures. We won't leave shore until all trip
members feel comfortable in the kayaks.
On our first day of paddling we're in prime orca
whale viewing territory! (Today and for the next two days we are in the
best place in the lower 48 for seeing orca whales.) We'll be paddling up
the east side of Haro Strait. En route we'll have opportunities for
seeing other large marine mammals including Dall porpoise and Harbor
seals, as well as orca whales. We'll set up camp on Stuart Island and
enjoy a dinner of smoked salmon pesto fetuccine and a freshly baked
berry crisp.
After breakfast on Tuesday, weather and tide
permitting, we'll paddle around the wild and uninhabited northern
portion of Stuart Island. We'll spend Tuesday and Wednesday camped on
Stuart overlooking scenic Prevost Harbor.
On Wednesday we generally hike the 6 mile land trip
to the abandoned Coast Guard lighthouse at Turn Point. The view looking
out across the straits to the Canadian Gulf Islands is spectacular!
We're still in orca habitat so be on the alert for the large 4-6' dorsal
fins of male orcas. Besides hiking, other options on your "day off"
include a short afternoon or moonlit evening paddle, reading or just
plain lazing around camp.
On Thursday, en route to our campsite on Jones
Island, we'll poke along the forest-covered islets of Spieden, Cactus,
Johns and numerous others. These small island habitats may include Minke
whale, Dall porpoise and Harbor seals as well as bald eagles, Rhinoceros
auklets, Marbled murrelets and Harlequin ducks. On our last night out
your guide pulls out all the stops and whips up a Dutch oven-baked
lasagna.
After breakfast on Friday, we'll break camp and work
our way south down San Juan channel to Turn Island for lunch. Our
take-out site is Jackson Beach on the sound end of San Juan Island which
we should reach around 3 PM.
Top
Sample 3 DAY
PADDLE
With over 200 rocky, forested islands to explore the
San Juan Archipelago is a superb kayak destination. Harking back to an
earlier time when the islands were used by the native Lummi and
Swinomish tribes as summer fishing camps, we traverse the waters as they
did using the wind and currents to aid us as we explore these beautiful
islands.
Experience the fun of paddling and camping on a remote island accessible
only by boat! The pristine waters of the San Juan and Gulf Islands are
host to over 80 resident Orca Whales. Other treasured wildlife sightings
may include Minke Whales, Harbor and Dall Porpoises, seals, river otter
and a variety of different birdlife ranging from auklets to herons. The
region also boasts the second largest bald eagle breeding population in
the Continental United States.
TRIP SYNOPSIS
You'll be met in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island by an Outdoor Odysseys
guide. Our van will take the group, which generally averages from 6-8
participants, (maximum of 12), to our put-in site on the west side of
San Juan Island. After stowing all camping and personal gear, we'll have
a thorough orientation covering the fitting of the boat, paddling
technique, safety and boat handling. We won't get on the water until
everybody feels comfortable about paddling. On our first day we'll work
our way northward kayaking along the picturesque west side of San Juan
Island. We'll keep a sharp eye out for whales as we're in prime orca
habitat. As we look to the south we'll have spectacular views of the
Olympic Mountain range and Vancouver Island to the west. After paddling
for a couple of hours along the rocky, convoluted shores of San Juan and
Henry Island we'll stop for lunch.
After we cross Spieden Channel we'll be paddling among forested, rocky
islands including Spieden, Goose and John Island. Our destination for
the night is Reid Harbor and Stuart Island which is only accessible by
boat. The campsite is nestled in a clump of red barked Madronas, Cedar
and Douglas Fir trees. After camp is set up, our evening is spent
preparing food and eating dinner. Our first night's cuisine includes our
smoked salmon pesto fetuccine, garlic bread, locally grown organic salad
greens from Thirsty Goose Farms, Washington wine and, of course, our
dynamite Dutch oven apple/pear crisp. (Life doesn't get much better when
you're sitting in a pretty, secluded waterfront campsite supping on wine
and eating great food after a hearty day of paddling.) :-)
On our second day we'll do "le grand" circumnavigation around Stuart Island
passing by many smaller uninhabited islands. We'll kayak past the abandoned
Coast Guard lighthouse on the north side of Stuart and glide past numerous
birds including great blue herons, cormorants and bald eagles. We'll return
to our campsite on Stuart for another tastefully prepared dinner. After
dinner you'll have the option of participating on an evening
"bioluminescence" paddle.
