5 Day San Juan Island Kayak Camping Tours

The Ultimate San Juan Islands Archipelago Expedition

Price: $1300 / Person

Disconnect from the grid and step into the rhythm of the Salish Sea. Our 5-Day Expedition is the ultimate way to experience the San Juan Islands as they were meant to be seen—from the water up. This extended itinerary unlocks the true outer wilderness of the archipelago, allowing us to camp on isolated, boat-in-only islands like Stuart, Jones, and Sucia. Because we aren’t rushed, our route adapts entirely to the group’s desires. Spend your days paddling alongside rich wildlife corridors, exploring coastal hiking trails, and looking for breaching whales.

Every evening, sit back on driftwood logs to watch the sunset while your guides prepare custom, locally sourced gourmet menus. From morning coffee overlooking the water to late-night bioluminescent paddles under brilliant, starlit skies, this is a premium, beautifully paced adventure designed to create lifelong memories.

Gourmet Camp Cuisine

You won’t find freeze-dried backpacking meals on our tours. We custom-design every menu to feature fresh, premium ingredients—many harvested directly from our organic garden or sourced straight from local island markets. From hearty breakfasts that fuel your morning paddle to gourmet beachside dinners under the stars, our staff prepares every meal from scratch so you can focus entirely on the journey.

Top-Tier Gear for a First-Class Adventure

Your safety and comfort depend entirely on the quality of your gear. That’s why we only outfit our expeditions with the industry’s finest brands. You’ll navigate the Salish Sea in premium fiberglass kayaks with lightweight Werner paddles, keeping your clothes secure in waterproof Seal Line dry bags. At night, skip the typical backcountry aches—our spacious tents, warm Marmot sleeping bags, plush Therm-A-Rest pads, and camp pillows ensure you wake up refreshed and ready for adventure every single morning.

Pristine Island Campsites & Coastal Trails

Our 5-day expedition utilizes exclusive marine campsites maintained by Washington State Parks. These islands are beautifully rustic—featuring flat ground for tents, picnic tables, pit toilets, and zero electricity or showers to distract from the natural brilliance of the night sky.

Every island we touch offers a unique adventure. Fall asleep to the sound of the tide at Jones Island after a world-class sunset, or camp in Stuart Island’s protected bays where bald eagles and Osprey hunt alongside curious harbor seals. With 5 full days, our route can expand to the furthest reaches of the archipelago, including Sucia, Matia, Patos, and Clark islands, ensuring a deeply memorable backcountry escape.

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. 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?

  • True All-Inclusive Pricing (No Hidden Fees): The price you see is the price you pay. We never charge extra for camping equipment, sleeping gear, dry bags, state park permits, or launch fees.

  • Elite, Kayak Guides: Your safety and enjoyment depend entirely on who is leading your group. Our guides are among the most highly trained, knowledgeable, and safety-certified professionals in the Pacific Northwest, with deep expertise in local marine ecology, currents, and wildlife behavior.

  • Intimate Small-Group Expeditions: We intentionally limit our group sizes to ensure a high-quality, personalized experience. You will never feel lost in a crowd; instead, you’ll enjoy a tight-knit, flexible team dynamic on the water and around the campfire.

  • Premium Expedition Outfitting: We provide top-of-the-line sea kayaking and camping gear from the industry’s most trusted brands. From high-performance fiberglass hulls to insulated sleeping setups, we outfit you for maximum comfort and peak performance.

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:$1300 / Person
Style:Nature, Wildlife & Exploration
Location:San Juan Islands
Duration:5 Days / 4 Nights
Depart:8:00am
Our Shop
Activity:Average to Moderate
Restriction:16 Years Min / 250 Pounds Max

5 Day San Juan Island Kayak Camping Tours Testimonial

I just returned from a 5-day kayaking and camping trip on the San Juan Islands in Washington State with Chad, a guide with Discovery Sea Kayaks. It was epic!! Chad was an expert at many things: navigating the complex winds and currents, securing the best campsites with gorgeous views, coaching us in the most efficient rowing techniques, preparing and cooking 3 meals a day for six hungry Pohl brothers, keeping us wayward boys (ages 58 to 68) in line, explaining the habits of Orca (killer whales), sea lions, sea otters, harbor seals, and multiple bird and fish species (all of which we saw on this trip!) And generally being damn good company.

Colin (TripAdvisor)

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 wildlife viewing 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

From our launch location, kayaks will be packed with all the gear and a safety talk will take place before getting on the water. Your guide will lead you for a full day of kayaking along beautiful shorelines and across channels to visit the edges 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 food for dinner. You can walk the trails, take a nap, or simply enjoy camp.

Day 2

You will wake to hot coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Your guide will be working to get breakfast on the table for everyone to enjoy. Over breakfast, your guide will discuss the options for the day. If you have decided to base camp or not, the paddle routes for the day will be drawn out for everyone to chat about. Whether base camping or setting out to a new destination, you will head out for the day for a kayak adventure. Search the tops of shoreline trees for perched eagles. Scan the water’s edge for seals, otters or a mink scampering for cover. Peer into the water to view sea stars, and crabs. While quietly meandering through kelp beds, check for fish or other wildlife that may be swimming below.

Day 3

Time to pack the kayaks and head off in search of a new campground. Breakfast will once again serve as the time for your guide to discuss the day’s travel plans. Kayaks will be reloaded with all the gear and you will head out for the day’s expedition. Enjoy being close to nature and the water. Share laughs with the group as you paddle along and take photos. As you get to camp and get everything set for comfort, it is time to relax and wait for your guide to call you in for dinner. After dinner enjoy the company of everyone in camp over desserts and beverages.

Day 4

Wake for breakfast and chat over the plans of the day. After a few days kayaking, you might want to take a minute to stretch out and get ready for the day’s paddle. The beauty of kayaking with Discovery Sea Kayaks is the variability of routes that we take. The guide’s knowledge of the area really adds to the flexibility of the adventures we can provide. So as you paddle out for the day please take notice in the care and time your guide has put in to make your adventure the best it can be. Take time to listen to all the information about the region and wildlife that your guide will share with you. Our guides take great passion in providing an amazing experience for everyone.

Day 5

This is the last day of your adventure kayak tour. Once all the gear is packed and camp is checked for any gear hiding in the grass, back on the water we go! As you glide out onto the water for a day of kayaking along shorelines with Pacific Madrona trees, don’t forget to look underwater for sea stars and other intertidal life. Moving through kelp beds, look for crabs and small fish as they dart for cover. This being the last day, we kayak to a location on San Juan Island where the Discovery Sea Kayaks 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 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 Island 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.

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.