Things to do in San Juan Islands, San Juan Islands: The Best Kayaking & Canoeing

January 5, 2022 Chanda Heide

Start your Pacific Northwest vacation in style, with a seaplane or ferry ride to the San Juan Islands from Seattle. It’s the ultimate way to take in the beauty of this region that Mother Nature has so abundantly blessed. You have a choice of three alluring islands – Lopez, the most rural, a mix of rolling farmland and beaches; Orcas, the largest of the San Juan Islands and replete with verdant mountains and placid lakes; and San Juan Island, where vibrant Friday Harbor welcomes ferry and seaplane guests and offers an array of charming accommodations and gourmet eateries.

Whether it’s whale-watching and sea kayaking, touring an art gallery or browsing a local farmers’ market, the San Juan Islands offer pleasing diversions for every age and interest. For the best chance to view orca whales and other sea life, plan your trip between April and September – a number of tour operators are available throughout the islands. Rev up your energy level with biking tours through rolling meadows and farmland, go birding on San Juan Island, hike the region’s modest mountains – offering outstanding vistas from the top – or go charter fishing for the day. Other favorites include hiking to Lime Kiln Lighthouse on San Juan Island, taking a scenic flight over the area, attending an outdoor summer concert in the park and horseback riding.


Restaurants in San Juan Islands

1. Shearwater Kayak Tours

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5.0 based on 544 reviews

Shearwater Kayak Tours

Explore the San Juan Islands by kayak with Shearwater! Guided tours in stable, 2-person kayaks. Seals, bald eagles, otters, & porpoise are common wildlife sightings. Morning, afternoon, & evening 3-hr tours; or pack a lunch and join a Paddle & Picnic trip. Custom group tours can be tailored to your needs. Special tours include: spring wildflowers moonlight, and bioluminescent kayaking. Call now for info and reservations!

2. Crystal Seas Kayaking - Day Tours

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5.0 based on 738 reviews

Crystal Seas Kayaking - Day Tours

Premiere Active Vacations in the San Juan Islands Since 1993 Crystal Seas Kayaking specializes in guided 3 hour, full day, sunset and multi-day kayaking and multi-sport trips in Washington's sunny San Juan Islands - mid March through mid October. The perfect adventure for singles, couples, groups, and families - no experience is necessary. We are locally owned and operated by second generation islanders on San Juan Island and proudly support local businesses, organizations, schools and small farms. Besides the incredible scenery and wildlife, our guides are a huge part of why you will love your trip. The majority of our staff are locals who majored in science or recreation and all of them have an infectious love and knowledge of the outdoors. They are all naturalists who are CPR and First Aid certified and many are also Wilderness First Responders.

3. Kayaking at Spring Bay Inn

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5.0 based on 7 reviews

Kayaking at Spring Bay Inn

On a guided kayak tour we'll watch for bald eagles, harbor seals, river otters, sea birds, and an amazing variety of tidal sea life as we ply the waters of the San Juans. We use double kayaks, fiberglass, with all equipment provided.

4. San Juan Outfitters

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5.0 based on 290 reviews

San Juan Outfitters

The San Juan Islands are considered one the best places in the world to observe Orca (Killer) Whales and other wildlife. We specialize in providing high quality whale watching, kayaking, and adventure tours for groups, families, and independent travelers. San Juan Outfitters believes that getting people out in the natural environment is the first step in developing an appreciation for the natural world. We believe people have an innate drive to be outdoors, and we enjoy the opportunity make it happen. We hope that what comes out of that appreciation are steps taken to curb individual impact and decrease one's footprint on the environment. Decreasing our individual foot-print, and preserving our natural world is our long term goal. We're starting by setting an example here on San Juan Island. Learn more about our goals to decrease our footprint by checking out our carbon neutral goals, and our view on responsible capitalism.

5. Custom Coastal Charters

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5.0 based on 10 reviews

Custom Coastal Charters

We offer single day to multi week professionally skippered all inclusive yacht carters for up to 12 guests for day trips and 6 guests for our overnight trips. We offer charters in the San Juan islands of Washington state, as well as multi week charters on BC and up to Alaska.

6. Edenwild Island Adventures

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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Edenwild Island Adventures

Lopez Island Bicycle and Kayak Rentals. Best Whale watching, Orca Tours on the fastest Boats in the San Juan Islands. Classic Sailboat whale and wildlife tours. Fishing Charters. Experience the wild paradise of the San Juan Islands!

7. Outdoor Odysseys

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5.0 based on 321 reviews

Outdoor Odysseys

Since 1987, Outdoor Odysseys has been offering quality guided sea kayaking and whale watch tours in the San Juan Islands of Washington State. Our tours feature an opportunity to search for Orca whales and eagles while paddling. We offer great camp cuisine including Dutch oven cookery and naturalist guides that are extremely knowledgable about the biological, geological and natural history of the area. We have been selected by National Geographic Adventure Magazine as one of the "200 best outfitters" in the world.

8. Discovery Sea Kayaks

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5.0 based on 574 reviews

Discovery Sea Kayaks

In the heart of downtown Friday Harbor, we offer a range of San Juan Islands Kayak Tours and Bike Rentals. Kayak Tours range from a half day outing to multiple days out camping on the outer islands. Our signature Full Day, Half Day and Sunset Kayak Tours travel routes best to encounter whales and marine wildlife. Our multi-day kayak tours range from 2 to 5 days with the 3-day kayak tour being our most popular. We provide all the equipment and cook every meal with fresh locally sourced foods. We are proud to employ a small group of professional guidesthat are extremely skilled kayakers and trained naturalist. Safety, Education, and Adventure are ensured with our amazing team of guides. We operate some of the smallest groups sizes to ensure each kayak tour provides a personal experience. Our downtown location is the perfect starting point for exploring the island by bike. We have the largest electric bike rental fleet on island and quality traditional bikes as well.

9. San Juan Kayak Expeditions

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5.0 based on 330 reviews

San Juan Kayak Expeditions

Established in 1980 San Juan Kayak Expeditions is chosen by the discerning traveler. They offers authentic small group sea kayak trips and tours ranging from 3 hour tours to 5 day expeditions and customized sea kayak rentals. Sea kayak with orca whales, porpoise, sea lions, harbor seals, otters, bald eagles and more! We specialize in personalized customer service, quality gear and fun, knowledgeable guides leading small groups. Our trips attract active adults (families, friends, couples and singles) of all ages who love adventure. Join us on one of our daily 3, 4 or 6 hour trips or for a multi-day kayaking camping expedition. For those experienced in the outdoors we offer a comprehensive kayak rental service. They also will arrange custom tours for wedding parties, reunions, outdoor clubs, schools and scout troops.

10. Orcas Adventures

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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Orcas Adventures

Orcas Adventures is your water enjoyment hub here on lovely Orcas Island. We are located in the heart of Moran State Park – a 5,579 acre pristine forest camping park with 5 freshwater lakes, fantastic waterfalls, and over 30 miles of hiking trails. Orcas Adventures offer kayaks (single and doubles), canoes, stand up paddle boards, row boats, and paddle boats for rent by the hour on Cascade Lake.

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