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Kayak with Whales on San Juan Island | Sea Quest Kayak Tours - Seattle

Kayak with Whales on San Juan Island | Sea Quest Kayak Tours

Friday Harboreasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

3 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for beginners with basic fitness; no prior kayaking experience required.

Overview

Paddle alongside orcas and scenic coastline on San Juan Island with Sea Quest Kayak Tours. This three-hour beginner-friendly trip pairs expert guidance with unforgettable wildlife encounters at sunset.

Friday Harbor, Washington

Sunset 3 Hour Kayak Tour

All Ages! • Available Every Day! • Beginner Friendly • All Group Sizes!

History Tour
Kayak
Water Activities

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About This Adventure

Experience the thrill of kayaking with whales and wildlife on San Juan Island! Join Sea Quest for a beginner-friendly, three-hour adventure led by expert guides. Paddle in high-performance kayaks through prime wildlife zones, enjoying stunning scenery and the chance to see killer whales in their natural habitat.

A CHANCE TO KAYAK WITH WHALES + WILDLIFE!

Available Every Day! • Beginner Friendly • 3 Hours

Why Choose Sea Quest for your Sunset Kayak Trip on San Juan Island?

  • We offer the lowest priced kayak tours on San Juan Island – near Seattle, Washington.

  • Our routes are the best places in the US for kayaking with killer whales! Note that the odds of seeing whales are higher on our Afternoon 6 hr Kayak Tours.

  • Sea Quest has professionally trained biologist/naturalist guides capable of providing an educational and safe experience on your kayaking adventure.

  • Our company has the longest history of operating kayak day tours on San Juan Island. We have operated since 1989 and sustain our legacy today as a small family owned business. A perfect safety record thanks to expert guides with extensive safety training & professional experience.

  • Unlike others companies, we provide new high-performance kayaks on our half day tours. Our easy to paddle kayaks are perfectly maintained, comfortable and modern. We undoubtedly have the best sea kayaking equipment in the San Juans!

  • Sea Quest has the longest history of any company operating kayak tours in the prime wildlife zones. Others companies have copied our wildlife watching success!

Sea Quest Kayak Tours Provides

Sea kayaks, all related sea kayaking trip gear, safety equipment, transportation to and from Friday Harbor and the launch beach, instruction and expert guides.

Trip Details

Meeting Place: Friday Harbor, San Juan Island.

Look for our van and kayak trailer in the traffic circle adjacent to the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal.

Meeting Time: 5pm

On some dates there may be a slightly altered trip time. Our online reservation system will indicate this if you enter a specific date. Ask about earlier or later departures if the starting times shown don’t work for you!

Itinerary:

Our van shuttles you to the beach. This takes between 5 to 25 minutes. At the beach, we provide a one hour kayak lesson. This lesson familiarizes everyone with the basic skills before we launch the sea kayaks. We then explore for about 1½ hours. We travel 2 to 4 miles during the kayak adventure. Floating rest breaks in scenic locations keep you energized. As do frequent stops to take pictures and enjoy wildlife.

Finish Time & Place:

8pm at the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal.

Total Time:

Approximately 3 hours from meeting your guides to finish. Be aware that whales, winds or currents can occasionally delay us! But there will always be plenty of time to catch one of several departing ferries if you are planning to leave the island.

What to Bring

Beach clothing, beach foot wear, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and lunch. Bring a hat, warm sweater and rain jacket if cool, cloudy, windy or rainy.

Adventure Tips

Dress in layers

San Juan Island evenings can be cool and damp; wear moisture-wicking layers and bring a rain jacket.

Bring waterproof camera gear

Protect your camera or phone with a waterproof case to capture wildlife without risking water damage.

Arrive early for briefing

Be ready on time at Friday Harbor for safety instructions and paddling lessons before launch.

Use reef-safe sunscreen

Protect yourself and the marine environment by applying reef-safe sunscreen before setting out.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Southern Resident Killer Whales
  • Harbor Seals

History

San Juan Island was the site of the 1859 Pig War, a border dispute between the U.S. and Britain, now commemorated in local museums.

Conservation

Sea Quest practices Leave No Trace principles and supports ongoing efforts to protect orca habitats and reduce marine pollution.

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Adventure Hotspots in Seattle

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Moisture-wicking base layers

Essential

Keep dry and comfortable during cool spring paddles.

spring specific

Waterproof jacket

Essential

Protects you from wind and rain on unpredictable coastal evenings.

all specific

Sunglasses with UV protection

Essential

Reduce glare off the water and protect your eyes during bright sunny days.

summer specific

Dry bag

Essential

Safely stores personal items and keeps them dry on the water.

all specific