2 Day San Juan Island Kayak Camping Tours

Short, Sweet and Full of Adventure

Price: $625 / Person

Our two-day kayak camping tours are a great way to explore the islands if you are traveling to San Juan Island for a limited amount of time. We design the two-day kayak tour route to not only include the best potential for seeing killer whales but also to share some of the most beautiful areas of the islands. Traveling between and camping on some of the area’s smaller islands offers unlimited potential wildlife encounters.

Make no mistake, while this is our shortest multi-day kayak tour, it is in no way inferior in quality to that of our other guided adventures. On this 2-Day kayaking excursion, guests will experience the same quality gourmet locally-sourced meals as prepared on our 3 and 5-day Deluxe tours. Discovery’s professional guides make guests’ safety, comfort, and enjoyment of their top priorities. Expect to learn all about the rich human and natural history of the surrounding area, both while on the water and at camp.

Dates

We offer a limited amount of 3 Day Kayak Tours every season. We do so to ensure we have a complete focus on the quality of the kayak tours. We do a lot of planning and customized menus for each tour and we do not want to rush any of the processes. For this reason, we do sell out of space and recommend booking well in advance.

Is the date you want sold out or not listed? Complete the Kayak Tour Request Form and we will get back to you if we are able to accommodate your request.

Gourmet Camp Cusine

One of the many reasons to choose our multi-day kayak adventures is the food. Guides develop custom menus for each kayak tour. We utilize as many local ingredients as possible when preparing meals. If we cannot harvest what we need from our organic garden we will shop at our local farmer’s market to find quality produce. Our staff will prepare each meal with care, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Day 1: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Breakfast and Lunch

Quality Equipment

We go the extra mile when it comes to the equipment we use. All camping equipment is in excellent condition. Tents are spacious with plenty of room to stretch out in the evenings. Warm Marmot sleepings bags paired with comfortable Therm-A-Rest sleeping pads and camp pillows make for a great night’s rest.  Enjoy traveling in fiberglass kayaks with lightweight Werner Paddles. Provided Seal Line dry bags will keep all of your belongings nice and dry. We select our equipment with care and put it to the test. Only the best are selected for our tours.

CampSites

The campsites we utilize on the two-day kayak tour are all typically equipped with water, picnic tables, pit toilets, comfortable flat ground for pitching tents, and a variety of trails to explore. All of the island campsites are maintained by Washington State Parks. Camps do NOT have showers or electricity.

Each island we camp on has its own charm and character. Jones Island offers some of the most beautiful campsites with amazing sunsets and great hiking. Stuart Island campsites are tucked away and protected in a deep bay that provides great opportunities to see feeding Osprey and Harbor Seals patrolling the area in search of fish. Enjoy a hike through the countryside to one of the best sunset spots in the San Juan Islands.

Kayak Guides

Discovery kayak guides are highly skilled kayakers with strong naturalist (wildlife education) and historical 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 guides. 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. Multiday guides are also responsible for planning, prepping, and cooking each gourmet meal in the field. From freshly brewed coffee with a hearty breakfast in the morning to delicious and filling dinners, rest assured your guide has thought of it all.

Why Choose Discovery Sea Kayaks For Your San Juan Island Kayak Tour

  • Best Value on San Juan Island. No need to go out and buy a lot of new gear, we have you covered. No hidden rental fees, camp fees or launch fees everything is included.
  • Kayak Guides: We assure you, that you will have one of the best-trained and knowledgeable guides on San Juan Island.
  • Small Groups: We operate with a small group of guests to ensure the quality of each tour.
  • The Equipment: We always have you covered. Top-of-the-line camping and kayaking equipment provided. To top it off we provide everything you need for camping included in the tour cost. No equipment rental fees!
  • The Food: As mentioned earlier we custom design all menus for each tour. We source produce from our own garden, local farmers, and farmer’s market.
  • Route Selection: We travel routes that best showcase the San Juan Islands and provide excellent whale-watching opportunities.
  • No Hype: We believe in honesty and integrity. Give us a call or email if you need help with deciding what tour is best for you.
  • Last but not least: Impeccable reputation on TripAdvisor and YELP

We Provide

  • Sea Kayak Guide
  • Kayak Instruction
  • Tandem Kayaks and Paddles
  • Life Vest (PFD) and Spray Skirts
  • 1 10L Dry Bag and 1 20L Dry Bag
  • Waterproof Jacket and Pants (for paddling)
  • Tents (MSR 3 person tent for 2 guests)
  • Marmot Sleeping Bags, Sleeping Bag Liner
  • Therm-a-Rest Sleeping Pad and Pillow
  • All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
  • Plates, Bowls, and Utensils

You Provide

  • Water Shoes
  • Non-Cotton Clothing
  • 2 Short and 2 Long Sleeve Top
  • Base Layers (Long Underwear)
  • Quick Dry Pants
  • Shorts (Summer Season)
  • Hat and Beanie
  • Rain Jacket and Pants (for camp)
  • Light Fleece Gloves (Spring and Fall)
  • Fleece Jacket and Pants (Spring and Fall)
  • 2 Pair Wool Socks
  • Light Hiking Shoe
  • Follow Link Below for More Details
Price:$625 / Person
Style:Nature, Wildlife & Exploration
Location:San Juan Islands
Duration:2 Days / 1 Night
Depart:8:00am
Our Shop
Activity:Average to Moderate
Restriction:16 Years Min / 250 Pounds Max

Tour Dates

If you do not see a date on the calendar that fits your travel plans. Email and inquire if we can accommodate additional dates.

2 Day San Juan Island Kayak Camping Tours Testimonial

My friend and I had a great time on our two-day kayak excursion. This was my first-time sea kayaking and only my second time in a kayak, so I was definitely a bit nervous about the trip. However, I was put at ease after talking with our guide, Talbot, and hearing about his kayaking experience; I knew I was in good hands. Talbot was very knowledgeable about the area and its history, as well as the plants and animals that we encountered. He’s also a fabulous cook. (You should request his homemade salsa!)We kayaked about 9 miles the first day and about 15 miles the second day. We saw seals, jellyfish, deer, and many varieties of birds. We camped overnight at Jones Island state park. The facilities were basic but clean. We enjoyed stretching out on the large rocks and watching the sunset after a long day of paddling.

TripAdvisor 2019

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.
  • Pack Dry Bags (if dry bags were not picked up the night before)
  • Meet and Greet with kayak guide and guests.
  • The guide will cover trip and travel plan.
  • Depart for launch location

Once we reach the launch location, kayaks will be packed with all gear at the beach and a safety talk will take place before getting on the water. Your guide will lead you on a full day of kayaking along beautiful shorelines and across channels to visit the shores of various islands. Lunch break will take place on one of many wonderful island beaches. You will end your day getting camp ready for a great night’s sleep in the outdoors. While you relax, your guide will be hard at work prepping foods for dinner. You can either walk the trails, take a nap, or simply enjoy camp.

Day 2

On the morning of the second and final morning of the tour you will start the day with fresh brewed coffee and breakfast. After breakfast and pack-up, back on the water we go! As you glide out onto the water for a day of kayaking along our rocky shorelines don’t forget to look underwater for sea stars and other intertidal life. While moving through kelp beds, look for crabs and small fish as they dart for cover. This being the last day, you will kayak to a location on San Juan Island where the Discovery Sea Kayak van will pick you up, load gear and head for town. We arrive back in downtown Friday Harbor at an estimated time of 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 encounter 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 host 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.

More Tour Related Info

Tour Preparation
FAQ's
San Juan Island
Whale Guidelines

Sea Kayaking Tours of the San Juan Islands

The San Juan Islands are a small chain of islands in the Salish Sea. The area is a world renowned kayak tour destination in Washington State.