San Juan Islands Exploration

Destination: San Juan Islands, WA

| Activities: Kayaking, Hiking, Zip Lining

The San Juan Islands, located off of Washington State, are known as one of the most spectacular island archipelagos in the country. Craggy coasts, deep blue-green waters with abundant sea-life, and pastoral landscapes abound. Known as one of the best sea kayaking places in America, it also offers interesting small towns, a rich human history, diverse marine and bird wildlife, scenic hiking, and a unique opportunity to learn how to sail a traditional wooden schooner. We'll even get an opportunity to zip line! Our trip starts and ends in Seattle and if you have never visited Seattle in July, you'll find out why everyone falls in love with it. Maximum group size: 12

Highlights

Sea kayaking in the beautiful archipelago of the San Juan Islands
Seeing a variety of wildlife such as seals, bald eagles and much more
Hiking to Mount Constitution with 360-degree views of the islands
Sailing through the islands on a wooden sailing boat
Experiencing island life on two different islands: San Juan and Orcas Island

Departures and Prices

July 10 to July 17, 2021

$3460.00 - Limited Availability

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Inclusions

1 - 2 experienced AGC guides based on group size
Six nights double occupancy lodging
All meals from breakfast on Day 2 through breakfast on Day 7, except for two lunches
Two days and one half-day of sea kayaking
A full day learning to sail on a traditional wooden schooner
All transportation once you arrive in Seattle and transportation back to the airport (SeaTac) at the end of the trip

What's not included: Travel insurance, guide gratuities and two lunches

Details

These are suitable for any woman who regularly walks at a brisk pace 3 to 4 days a week for 35 - 45 minutes. There are typically 3 to 5 hours of daily activity.

The trip is rated 2 and is appropriate for any active woman who regularly walks briskly for exercise and wants a vacation that mixes being active in the outdoors with learning about the human and natural history of the area. No prior kayaking experience is needed. Prior to beginning the trip, participants should be walking regularly, including hills or stairs, at a brisk pace 3 to 4 days a week for 35 - 45 minutes. Rating: 1 [2] 3 4 5.

Since the San Juan Islands are made up of diverse ecosystems, we'll explore it in diverse ways: kayaking, sailing, biking, hiking and (optional) biking. Participants must feel comfortable in open water for this trip and have the agility to climb in and out of kayaks. No experience is needed for any of these activities - we'll teach you all that you need to know!

The first night is in a modern and convenient hotel close to the airport. The next 3 nights are at the Earthbox Inn in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. The double-occupancy rooms are classic retro chic with small kitchenettes. The Inn also has an indoor swimming pool. The next three nights we stay on Orcas Island at the Landmark Condos, each with 2 bedrooms and one bath, living room and kitchen.

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Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.

DAY 1

Welcome to Washington! Fly into Seattle at any time and take the convenient and free hotel airport shuttle to our hotel for the night. Lodging is included tonight but there are no group activities planned. What to do with your free night? Grab a book, take a look! Seattle is the most literate city in the U.S., and it shows in its abundant bookstores and coffee shops. If you have time you could also check out the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Museum of Pop Culture and the Chihuly Garden and Glass. Overnight Holiday Inn Express or similar.

DAY 2

We will meet bright and early in the lobby of our hotel this morning for a brief introduction and orientation before hitting the road north to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal. The hour ferry ride through the San Juan Islands is a beautiful journey. Lunch is on your own today so you can buy food on the ferry or bring a picnic lunch. Once we arrive to the island, we'll start our adventure with a kayak tour of Griffin Bay. After an introduction to kayak safety and touring techniques, we will set off on a 2 to 3-hour kayak adventure. Unhindered by strong tidal currents, this is an ideal first kayak in a uniquely peaceful environment with superb views of glacier-covered Mount Baker and the Olympic Mountain Range. We will explore picturesque Dinner Island and its resident colony of chubby harbor seals, then turn south toward quiet coves. We may see bald eagles, Dall's or Harbor porpoises, river otters, mink and migratory sea birds such as scoters, harlequin ducks, loons and mergansers along with our local herons, cormorants, gulls and kingfishers! In the later afternoon we will head back to Friday Harbor for a relaxing dinner, and sunset over the water. Overnight: Friday Harbor, Earthbox Inn. (B, D)

DAY 3

Today we'll see the San Juan Archipelago from the perspective of a traditionally gaff-rigged sailboat. Wooden boats run deep in the heritage of this area, from native canoes to tall sailing ships to the modern-day wooden boat renaissance. We'll get a rare opportunity to learn to sail a traditional schooner and work together to handle the lines and take the helm during a full day sailing trip. As we sail the channels and visit the quiet bays and inlets, we'll be sharing the waters with orcas, otters, seals and porpoises as well as a plethora of other sea life and aquatic birds. Our on-board naturalists will share stories and life histories of the fascinating local environment and wildlife. In the afternoon, time permitting, we can bike a few miles down the road from our hotel to visit a world class lavender farm. Overnight: Friday Harbor, Earthbox Inn (B, L, D)

DAY 4

Today we'll enjoy a scenic drive to San Juan Island's west side and launch our kayaks into prime orca whale country! We’ll have a picnic lunch along the way. For a different perspective, we'll take a short walk on a spectacular coastal trail and, from an elevated viewpoint, enjoy nothing but islands and ocean as far as the eye can see. Diverse wildlife, stunning vistas, and spectacular coastline are the highlights today. Wildlife can be seen in the sky, in the sea or on the shore, so bring your cameras and binoculars. Overnight: Friday Harbor, Earthbox Inn. (B, L, D)

DAY 5

This morning we see the island from another perspective - ziplining through the canopy. Then we will take some time to explore Friday Harbor. This seaport village is a bustling place with galleries and museums. Lunch is on your own at one of the charming water view cafes just steps from the ferry landing and docks. After lunch, we will take a ferry to Orcas Island which is slightly larger, but less populous, than San Juan. Orcas is shaped like a pair of saddlebags, separated by the fjord-like Eastsound. Overnight: Eastsound Village. (B, D)

DAY 6

Today we get back in our kayaks to paddle through emerald waters to Sucia Island. Among the northernmost of the San Juan Islands, this horseshoe-shaped island is accessible only by watercraft. Boaters venturing into its coves and harbors quickly discover why Sucia Island is considered the crown jewel in the state marine park system. The main island, surrounded by picturesque rocks and smaller islands, gave pause to the Spanish explorers who navigated its waters in 1791. They called it "sucia" or "dirty," describing navigational obstacles such as the rocks around the island. The island and its waters are, in fact, pristine, and the satellite rocks make for interesting kayaking and beautiful vistas. Overnight: Eastsound Village. (B, L, D)

DAY 7

After a delicious breakfast, we'll drive to Moran State Park for a hike to the high point on the San Juan Islands - Mount Constitution. At the summit we can climb the stone observation tower, patterned after a medieval watch tower, for panoramic views of the surrounding islands, the Cascade Mountains and on a clear day Mount Baker, Mount Rainer and Vancouver, B.C. The majority of the San Juan Islands are quite hilly, with some flat areas and valleys in between, often quite fertile. The coastlines are a mix of sandy and rocky beaches, shallow and deep harbors, placid and reef-studded bays. Gnarled, ochre-colored madrone trees grace much of the shorelines, while evergreen fir and pine forests cover large inland areas. Hiking 6.7-7.7 miles, 1500-foot elevation gain. Overnight: Eastsound Village, Orcas Island. (B, L, D)

DAY 8

Today we must say goodbye to these beautiful islands. We will catch a morning ferry back to the mainland. From there we will drive together back to Sea-Tac Airport. You can plan your flight out for any time after 4:30 p.m. If you want to extend your adventure you can take the light rail into Seattle from the airport. (B)

Trip Summary

Packing List