THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Paddle from Anacortes to the secluded shorelines around Burrows Island on a guided 3-hour sea kayak tour. Expect close seal encounters, porpoise sightings, and panoramic views of the Olympic Range while guides manage tides, safety, and local history.
Paddle from Anacortes to the secluded shorelines around Burrows Island on a guided 3-hour sea kayak tour. Expect close seal encounters, porpoise sightings, and panoramic views of the Olympic Range while guides manage tides, safety, and local history.
You push off from a custom-built dock in Anacortes and the marina’s harbor seals bob like curious buoys as guides run a quick paddle drill.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Anacortes Kayak Tours · Anacortes, Washington
You push off from a custom-built dock in Anacortes and the marina’s harbor seals bob like curious buoys as guides run a quick paddle drill.
Within minutes you’re in Burrows Bay, paddling at a walking pace where the sea sets the tempo. The route typically circumnavigates Burrows Island, where rocky shorelines, the old Burrows Island Lighthouse, and narrow channels toward Allan Island create a changing stage: tide-swept rock shelves, steep bluffs, and sudden windows onto the Olympic Mountains.
This stretch of the Salish Sea sits in the San Juan Islands National Monument, an archipelago protected in 2013 for its ecological and cultural value. Coast Salish people have inhabited these waters for millennia; modern guides weave natural history with stories of those who fished and navigated these currents long before kayaks arrived.
Expect abundant wildlife — harbor seals are common in summer pupping season, harbor porpoise often slip through the narrow passages, and transient orca are occasionally sighted. Guides calibrate route and pace to tides and wind; trips maximize on-water time because Anacortes is driveable (no ferry required).
Practical notes: wear layered, water-resistant clothing, store electronics in a dry bag, and bring water and sun protection. Most outings suit beginners with basic fitness, but participants over about 265 lbs should check kayak comfort and single-kayak availability (single kayaks available for an extra fee). Check-in 30 minutes early, sign waivers, and be prepared for changing weather on the Salish Sea.
moderate.
3 hours.
Basic upper-body fitness and the ability to sit and paddle for several hours; suitable for beginners who can follow instruction.
No — the tour includes a brief lesson and guides coach basic stroke and safety; beginners who can follow instruction do well.
Yes, single kayaks are available for an additional fee and must be requested in advance subject to availability.
Trips may be canceled for safety; full refunds are offered with 24+ hour notice and operators monitor wind, rain, and sea state before departure.
Porpoise and harbor seals are common; orca sightings happen but are less predictable — guides will position to maximize chances without disturbing animals.
The San Juan Islands became a national monument in 2013; the waters also sit within traditional Coast Salish territories with deep marine-use history.
Keep distance from pupping seals, pack out all trash, and follow guide instructions to minimize disturbance to sensitive intertidal zones.
Anacortes Kayak Tours operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You push off from a custom-built dock in Anacortes and the marina’s harbor seals bob like curious buoys as guides run a quick paddle drill.
You push off from a custom-built dock in Anacortes and the marina’s harbor seals bob like curious buoys as guides run a quick paddle drill.
Within minutes you’re in Burrows Bay, paddling at a walking pace where the sea sets the tempo. The route typically circumnavigates Burrows Island, where rocky shorelines, the old Burrows Island Lighthouse, and narrow channels toward Allan Island create a changing stage: tide-swept rock shelves, steep bluffs, and sudden windows onto the Olympic Mountains.
This stretch of the Salish Sea sits in the San Juan Islands National Monument, an archipelago protected in 2013 for its ecological and cultural value. Coast Salish people have inhabited these waters for millennia; modern guides weave natural history with stories of those who fished and navigated these currents long before kayaks arrived.
Expect abundant wildlife — harbor seals are common in summer pupping season, harbor porpoise often slip through the narrow passages, and transient orca are occasionally sighted. Guides calibrate route and pace to tides and wind; trips maximize on-water time because Anacortes is driveable (no ferry required).
Practical notes: wear layered, water-resistant clothing, store electronics in a dry bag, and bring water and sun protection. Most outings suit beginners with basic fitness, but participants over about 265 lbs should check kayak comfort and single-kayak availability (single kayaks available for an extra fee). Check-in 30 minutes early, sign waivers, and be prepared for changing weather on the Salish Sea.