Let's Get on the Water!
Kayak & Paddle Board Rentals
Rentals are perfect for families with children too young for our family-specific kayak tours, or people who don't have the time for our guided tours. They are also a great way to spend an hour or two before or after one of our whale watch & wildlife tours by vessel.
Reservations are recommended and can be made 48 hours in advance by calling 1-800-450-6858.
Rentals are available from mid-May to early September. They are located at our dock in Roche Harbor and are available from 10 am - 5 pm (the last rental departs at 4 pm).
Rent a Sit-on-Top kayak or Stand-Up for 3 hours and get the 4th hour free!
Sit-on-Top Kayak Rentals
San Juan Outfitters rents sit-on-top style ocean kayaks by the hour from our Roche Harbor location. Roche Harbor provides sheltered access to lots of calm waters for our recreational kayaks.
Sit-on-top kayaks are open-faced and self-bailing, so it is recommended you wear quick dry clothing as you will get wet. We have both single and double-rider options available. Any age is welcome on sit-on-top kayaks as long as the child is able to fit into a provided PFD. You are provided PFD, paddles, kayak, and a map.
Stand-Up Paddle Board Rentals
San Juan Outfitters rents stand-up paddle board (SUP) RED Paddleboards by the hour from our Roche Harbor location. Roche Harbor provides sheltered access to lots of calm waters for our recreational kayaks.
Paddle around the calm waters of Roche Harbor on a RED Paddle brand stand-up paddle board (SUP). Paddle boarding is a great workout and a way to practice your balance. Paddle barefoot for the best traction and balance, and in clothing that you do not mind getting wet, such as a swimsuit or quick dry shorts and shirt. SUPs are recommended for ages 10+.
Try our unique double paddle board with a friend, for some extra fun! You are provided a PFD, paddle, board with a leash, and map.
Sea Kayak Rentals
San Juan Outfitters will rent traditional sea kayak equipment to outdoor professionals with the appropriate training, and who possess an ACA/BCU 4* certification or greater. The waters surrounding the San Juan Islands can pose a real danger to anyone but trained professionals. If you are one of these people, feel free to contact us regarding sea kayak rentals.
If you are not an outdoor professional, consider one of our 3-hour or 5-hour kayak tours, or our recreational kayaks described above. Please inquire about our private tour costs.
Looking for multi-day sea kayak tour rentals? Schedule a custom self-supported multi-day tour! Also called a "self-guided" tour, this tour is an ideal experience for scout groups, school camps, or experienced outdoor adventurists who have the needed camping equipment to operate a multiday tour, but lack the sport-specific sea kayak equipment and professional knowledge of the waterways surrounding the San Juan Islands to safely execute a multi-day trip. That's where we come in! Please inquire about reservations and availability.
We are happy to offer rental services for sit-on-top kayaks and paddles boards, though we do have some rules that need to be followed due to safety and liability concerns. Many of these rules are covered in the following frequently asked questions. If you do not see your question answered here, please give us a call!
Is there a minimum age? Families with children ages 2-15 can get out on the sit-on-top kayaks, as long as the children have an adult present. Youth 16+ may go without a guardian, but parent/guardian must sign a waiver for children under 18.
Are dogs allowed? Yes, on our plastic sit-on-top rentals, but not on our inflatable stand-up paddleboards. It is up to your discretion how comfortable you think they will be. Keep in mind, if your dog gets anxious on the boat, the water is very cold if you or your dog ends up in the water. We do not provide PFDs for dogs.
Can I bring alcohol with me? Alcohol and other products that would impair your vision or judgement are strictly prohibited on our boats. We cannot allow folks to consume products while on the water. If someone appears to be intoxicated before taking a boat out, we reserve the right to decline service due to safety and liability concerns.
Can I go to Posey Island? No, Posey island is not inside the greater Roche Harbor area, and you must stay inside the greater Roche Harbor area with all rentals.
Where can I get out of the boat? Unfortunately, there are no locations inside the Roche Harbor area that are public areas to get out of your boat. If you rent from us, please plan to be in your boat until you return to our dock.
Can I haul the boat to another location in my car? No, all rentals must depart from and return to our dock in Roche Harbor.
Can we launch our personal boats from your dock? We cannot allow the general public to launch boats from our dock, but there is a boat launch on the other side of the marina among resort parking that you may use.
Can I use my own PFD? We require all participants to wear a PFD for the duration of their rental for safety. We have plenty of PFD's for paddlers, but as long as your PFD is a coast guard approved vest that has foam on both the front and back, and is not a ripcord PFD, it should be acceptable. Please show our staff at the dock for official approval.
How many days can we rent for? All of our rentals are by the hour only. First boats head out each day starting at 9am, all boats have to be back to our dock by 5pm the same day.