Orca Search by Kayak
5-hour Orca Search by Kayak
(15 years old & up)
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Sea kayaking, ocean kayaking or just plain kayaking. Whatever you call it, even if you say if backwards, kayak means fun.
Captains Log of whale and wildlife sightings
San Juan Island has scenic coastlines and abundant wildlife in its waters. San Juan Safaris, because of our launching rights in both Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor, is able to offer you the easiest and fastest approach to these seas.
The best orca (killer) whale watching is here on San Juan Island, near Seattle, Anacortes, Bellingham, Victoria BC, Vancouver Island and Port Townsend. The islands are considered the "jewels" of the pacific north west, located in the Puget Sound.
This tour is a bit more challenging and requires a good deal of upper body strength. What do we mean by that? If someone works out at a gym 2-3 times a week or does physical labor for a living or kayaks regularly. Approximately 4.75 hours of the 5 are spent out on the water.
We supply all the necessary equipment. This includes a dry bag for your snack and camera, a spray skirt, paddle, life vest and of course our state of the art fiberglass kayaks. Your guide gives you a lesson in paddling and safety techniques prior to helping you into your kayak.
We have specially designed kayak finger docks, which allow you to easily slip in and out of the kayak without having to wade into the cold water or carry a kayak. Using these finger docks also means more time on the water, less time hassling with getting the kayaks in the water. This tour is limited to 8 guests per guide. This ratio of guests to guide allows for maximum safety and personalized attention.
Seeing Orcas while paddling is exciting. We feel that it would be disingenuous not to explain that whales can swim at 30 mph and a good kayaker might paddle 3 mph. Our departure location from Roche Harbor, on the north west side of San Juan Island, where the whales travel up and down that coast, is the best in the North West to see Orca whales from your kayak.
These are wild animals and come and go strictly based on food/fish, not because they have a set pattern. Knowing that, you can understand there is about a 25% chance that you may see them from your kayak. If a higher percentage or likelihood is what you are after, try our whale watch by vessel where the percentage is 90% or better. Other kayaking companies claim higher percentages in kayaks, but we know this is not possible.
By allowing 5 hours instead of 3, this gives you a better opportunity to see the whales, plus we are the only company who owns and operate both kayaking AND whale watching vessels. This allows us access to whale information that other kayak companies do not have. Our guides stay in touch with our whale watching boats. No other sea kayaking company does this. Be ready to enjoy a wonderful day on the water. Realize that seeing Orca whales is a bonus and do not be talked into "seeing whales for certain" as a ploy to get you into someone else's kayak.
On this tour we almost always see harbor seals, great blue heron, bald eagles, kelp forests, river otter, lots of sea birds,at least three wildlife refuges, remote rugged coastline, the Olympic Mountains, Mt Baker, a cormorant rookery and more. This tour stops at a beach to enjoy lunch.
Where do we paddle to see the whales? Sometimes we head north out of the harbor because the Orca frequent the area around Battle Ship Island, or the west side of Henry Island, sometimes south because they also go to Open Bay and even further south hugging the coast of San Juan Island. Just depends.
The yellow indicates areas where orca frequent
Our guides are well trained and excited to show you the island's west side. We are repeatedly told by our guests how warm, friendly and knowledgeable they are and what a great time everyone had.
Our philosophy is to observe, but not to interfere with Orca behavior. They may be foraging for fish, resting or at play. Our resident Orca are a joy to watch and a gift to be respected. You will have a great time whether they choose to swim by or not.
We do not offer a lunch on this tour as the Roche Harbor store has great sandwiches and snacks "to go" at their market and there are two casual restaurants The Lime Kiln Café and The Bar &Grill to purchase lunch "to go". Be sure to bring a snack &water bottle on your tour along with your lunch. You will really appreciate having them.
Check in time for this tour is 10:40 AM at the Roche Harbor appointment desk. If you are not bringing your car across on the ferry, let us know so that we can tell you how to catch the shuttle bus free.
Ask about our overnight kayaking adventures
3 days/2-nights $200
3-days/2-nights Sucia Island $250
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What To Bring Kayaking
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San Juan Safaris, Inc.,
Friday Harbor, WA, USA
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Planning. Maps, tide tables, check the weather radio and get a game plan
Squeaky clean kayaks
Geared up
A lesson usually takes about 15 - 20 minutes
Kayaking near the National Wildlife Refuge 'Battleship'
Along the coast line
Synchronize with your partners paddle
Free - out on open water, pointing to Canada
Learning how amazing bull kelp really is
An Orca from our kayak by guest
Malee Johnson
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