Kayaking through the San Juan Islands - 5-days, San Juan Island to Anacortes

Disembarking from the San Juan ferry you will walk off of the boat in Friday Harbor. Just a few steps from the ferry is a roundabout where your shuttle will wait for you.

We have two possible launch locations, chosen based on prevailing weather conditions and the needs of the group. San Juan County Park is a peaceful location on the west side of San Juan Island. As your guide packs the kayaks you can enjoy great views across the water into Canada. Keep your eyes open for whales, if they are in the area then they sometimes pass by quite closely here.

You will begin your trip at the westernmost extremity of the San Juan Islands. Just a few miles away is the border with Canada. With 5-days at your disposal, you are going to become intimately acquainted with this remarkable group of islands.

San Juan Island is the county seat of the San Juan Islands archipelago. The town of Friday Harbor is a bustling tourism destination in the summer months, boasting plenty of nice accommodations, restaurants, and shops.

Often billed as the northwesternmost point of the continental United States, Stuart Island has two beautiful camp areas within the state park. A small dirt road leads to the historic lighthouse on the west side of the island. Sunsets here can be incredible. Stuart Island is often our first stop on this trip. We will spend one night here before moving towards Anacortes. (Note: some trips paddle directly to the lovely camps on Jones Island. It depends on weather conditions and the needs of the group.)

Jones Island is the largest island in the group known as the "Wasp Islands". This is one of our favorite camping areas. All campsites are beautiful, and the sunsets are amazing. Walk the perimeter trail and keep a close eye out for small cactus colonies. This is one of the northernmost places that cactus can be found in America! We usually spend one night on Jones Island.

Your trip begins and ends in our sea side town. We highly recommend that you reserve a day or two before or after the kayak trip to have time to explore our outstanding forestlands. We have over 40 miles of trails, with beautiful viewpoints, hidden lakes, and groves of old-growth trees. Ask us for local tips! Anacortes has lots of nice accommodations, restaurants, and shops, as well as two large grocery stores for any last-minute supplies you might desire.

The only island in the San Juan that has three bridges connecting us to the mainland. Plan on spending some extra time here to explore the Anacortes Community Forestlands, or the beautiful Deception Pass State Park.

We try to plan our daily routes to take advantage of the tidal currents and the prevailing weather, so where you will go is often dependent on these things. These descriptions of the itinerary reflect the usual islands that most trips will visit, not a guarantee. Your comfort and enjoyment are our primary concern. Readers should interpret these descriptions in a way that gives them a general sense of what to expect rather than a guarantee of which camp areas they will stay at.

Depending on where you stayed overnight, you will either be enjoying a hearty breakfast here on Jones Island, or stopping for a lunch break. Relax, and enjoy the sublime views of the Wasp Islands!

One of our very favorite island camp areas is Blind Island. It is a very small place with only a handful of campsites. In the evenings the ferries pass by on their way to Orcas Island and Shaw Island. The 360 degree views are of a peaceful and pastoral setting. If you feel the need to restock your beer or wine supply then a quick paddle to the small shop on Shaw Island, or the larger store on Orcas Island can be arranged. Whether you are stopping to camp here, or just landing for a lunch break, you will be enjoying some time in the very center of the San Juan Islands.

The largest of the San Juan Islands is Orcas Island. Along the route that we usually take you will see its shorelines to the north of you for much of this trip. Mount Constitution rises above the archipelago at 2409 feet, making it the second highest mountain on an ocean island in the lower 48 States.

to Obstruction Pass State Park for the second night. This puts us in a good position to spend two full nights at the Cypress Island Reserve. Obstruction Pass is tucked away on the eastern shores of Orcas Island and has nice views across the water to Obstruction Island, Lopez Island, Blakely Island, and a host of smaller islets.

If you stayed here on the second night then Obstruction Pass is usually the planned destination for the third night. Enjoy the amazing day as you paddle through the heart of the San Juan islands!

Perhaps you stayed here last night and are planning for a big day to paddle to Cypress Island. Or possibly you are just stopping for a break. Either way, enjoy the pastoral views of the farms on Shaw Island, and the small community on Orcas Island, located just across the water.

Your guide knows how to plan the best possible route to accommodate the group's needs and to take advantage of the prevailing conditions.

Of all the islands in the San Juan Islands National Monument none are quite like Cypress Island. 90% of this island has been set aside from future development and is classified as a Conservation Area. The waters surrounding the island are designated as a Marine Protected Area. Consequently, the place has a ton of wildlife! Without question this is our favorite destination in the San Juan Islands. We operate many trips up there during the summer months, and visit Cypress Island for personal trips throughout the year. It's just outstanding.

Paddling through these islands at a leisurely pace affords visitors a chance to see details that most visitors to the islands miss. Seals resting on rocks, eagles watching for their prey from lofty perches, and the sharp sounds of porpoise surfacing to breathe add to your experience. You won't want to leave!

up for your crossing to the Cypress Island Reserve. Your guide will time the crossing for the optimal tidal currents for the crossing.

Cypress Island is often the campground that we use on the last night. It is an incredible place of wild beauty, with stunning views of the islands and the ice-capped peak of Mount Baker in the Cascade Mountain Range. Miles of hiking trails afford intrepid individuals the chance to stretch their legs after paddling all day. The location of Cypress Island is also perfectly situated to provide a comfortable paddle back to Anacortes on the last day.

Your last morning! Wake up to a hot cup of coffee and gaze across the water. Five days have passed by in a blink. Although you are ready for a hot shower and a change of clothes, you can sense the change in your consciousness. All the background noise of the day-to-day life has melted away. You've settled into the routine of camp life and can't wait for another adventure! After enjoying your last beachfront breakfast of the trip you and your guide pack up the kayaks and head for Anacortes.

Most groups arrive in Anacortes between 2:00pm and 5:00pm, depending on the prevailing conditions. We have several landing areas that we can utilize as needed. Once you arrive at the beach and unpack the kayaks we will make sure to get you back to our office to sort out your personal gear. We will also make sure to return you to your vehicle at the ferry landing. If you are staying in Anacortes then be sure to ask one of us about places on Fidalgo Island to explore, and great restaurants to dine at. Thanks for joining us!