Self-Catered Multiday Kayak Tours

Price: $250 per day / Person

Self-Catered Multiday Kayak Tours are ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, scout groups, or individuals with camping equipment and developed camping skills. Let us take care of all the kayak equipment. Travel the same great routes as our other kayak tours in our kayak equipment. This is a trip for the adventure-minded traveler.

What we provide

We will provide all the kayaks and safety equipment (two-person fiberglass kayaks, spray skirts, paddles, PFDs, and more). We will also provide a two-burner cookstove and fuel. You will have one of our expert kayak guides who will take care of your safety, route planning, and overall decision-making for the group while on the multiday kayak tour.

What you provide

You are responsible for your cookware, camp kitchen equipment, tents, sleeping bag/pad, all meals, personal clothing, dry bags, and campsite fees.

Price is $250 per day per person plus fees. We require a minimum of 4 guests to open a tour. When tours are opened, they will be available for public reservation on our online calendar unless you choose to make it a private tour. Contact us for details on private tours.

Kayak Tour Options

Our most popular duration is the 3 Day Kayak Tour format. This allows plenty of time to explore and camp on the islands near San Juan Island. We can alternatively set up a 2 Day, 4 Day or 5 Day kayak adventure.

Kayak Guides

Discovery kayak guides are highly skilled kayakers with strong naturalist (wildlife education) and history backgrounds. Not only are they skilled on the water, but they also take care of you at camp. All of our guides go through an extensive training period that requires a high level of dedication to complete. We spend long days on the water training to gain all the skills necessary to be a professional kayak guide. Off the water, we spend a lot of time in a classroom setting learning all the details of expedition planning, island history, the dynamics of the ocean waterways, and the animals and organisms that make up the complex island ecosystem.

How to Reserve

To reserve, contact us via email or phone. Ideally, start with email first so we can check our calendar for your requested dates and get back to you right away.

We Provide

Wa State Certified Kayak Guide
Kayak Instruction
Tandem Kayaks and Paddles
Life Vest (PFD) and Spray Skirts

You Provide

Personal Clothing Items
Dry Bags
Sleeping Bag & Pad
Tents
Food
Cookware
Camp Kitchen Equipment
Campsite Fees
We will provide a detailed list in your confirmation, or contact us for more details.

Learn More About Tour Prep

Inquire Now

Price:	$250 per day / Person
Style:	Exploration & Adventure
Location:	San Juan Islands
Duration:	Varied
Depart:	8:00am Our Shop
Activity:	Moderate
Restriction:	13 Years Min / 250 Pounds Max

Terms & Conditions

Self-Catered Multiday Kayak Tours Testimonial

We did the 3 day sea kayak and camping tour and it was the trip of a lifetime!! Everything was planned out really well, but the routes were also flexible enough to change to suit the group a bit better. Our group had varying dietary restrictions and they were expertly accommodated. Every meal was delicious; it didn't even seem like we were camping!

Venus M. - Review (2023)

Route & Itinerary

We use our extensive experience of the San Juan Islands to custom-plan each route. Guides will factor in wind, tides, and currents to determine the safest and best route. We balance all factors to provide the best camping and whale watching opportunities.

Day 1

Check-in Time: 7:45 AM

Location: Discovery Sea Kayaks shop, 260 Spring St. Friday Harbor, Washington.

Depart for the launch location

The itinerary will depend on the number of days selected for the kayak tour. A general outline can be seen here.

Day 1: Meet at the office at 7:45 AM and depart for the beach at 8:00 AM. Once at the beach, your guide will run you through the best way to pack the kayaks. This will set the example of how you will pack kayaks for the rest of the tour. The day will be spent on the water with a beach break for lunch. Then continue on to our campsite destination.

The following day will depend mainly on how many days we have for the tour. Some tours will base camp while others will move each day.

On the final day of the tour, we aim to be back at our office in town around 2:30 PM.

Wildlife & Weather

Wildlife

San Juan Island is home to a wide variety of amazing wildlife:

Southern Resident Killer Whales: Salmon-eating whales commonly seen June through mid-October.

Transient Killer Whales: Marine mammal-eating whales may be seen throughout the year.

Baleen Whales: Humpback Whales and Minke Whales.

Porpoise: Harbor and Dalls porpoise are encountered year round.

Harbor Seals, California Sea Lions, and Stellar Sea Lions: Fairly Common in these areas.

River Otters: More elusive but seen any time of year. Most sightings are early morning or late afternoon.

Bald Eagles: San Juan hosts a healthy population of Bald Eagles with many nesting sites.

Every day is different and we can encounter other species of whales, seals, porpoise, and birds not listed above.

Weather

Early Season: Spring weather on San Juan is typically cool with daytime temperatures ranging from the low 50’s F to the mid 60’s F. Expect partly cloudy skies with light breezes to windy conditions.

Summer Season: San Juan Island can have some of the most pleasant summer weather. With half the annual rainfall of the Seattle area, San Juan is typically dry all summer. Temperatures range from upper 60’s F to the mid 80’s F. Skies are usually blue and clear, great for evening star gazing.

Late Season: Fall can be one of the best times to visit San Juan. The days become cooler, ranging from the low 50’s F to the mid 60’s F. Winds can be light to moderate depending on the current weather systems.

Discovery Sea Kayaks Blog