Roche Harbor 3 Hour Kayak Tour
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on the northwest corner of San Juan Island
Departing from our exclusive location in Roche Harbor
3-Hour Kayak Tours are perfect for paddlers of all experience levels and those working with limited time.
Our custom finger slip kayak dock means you start the trip with no wet feet! On a 3-hour kayak tour, we expect to stay in the kayak for the duration of the tour, which is about 2.5 hours of paddle time. The first 30 minutes of the tour cover gear and safety to make sure each guest feels comfortable and safe in the kayak. San Juan Outfitters has the lowest guest-to-guide ratio in the San Juans! San Juan Outfitters' 3-hour kayak tours take just 10 guests to each trained naturalist guide and our guides are knowledgeable, fun, and the best trained in the industry.
3 Hour Tour Itinerary
15 minutes prior to tour time - Check-in at our dock, right off the shoreline from the Madrona Bar & Grill (which is a great spot to grab lunch or dinner after your tour!). If you haven't already, we will fill out waiver forms. Arriving early allows time to utilize the restroom facilities, fill up water bottles, grab a snack at the General Store, or chat with your fellow paddlers!
Tour Start - We will guide you through all of the gear and kayaking techniques needed to have a great experience on the water. Our 3-Hour Kayak Tours are perfect for beginners and seasoned paddlers alike. Looking for a family-friendly adventure for kids 6-12? Check out our Family 3-Hour Kayak Tour! We take the proper time to ensure everyone is comfortable in their gear before loading up into our tandem Expedition Sea Kayaks. Our dock slips allow us to enter and disembark the boats without touching the water - score!
On the Tour - Our typical 3-Hour Kayak Tour route heads north past Pearl Island, passing by Posey Island State Park before rounding the corner at McCracken Point. Our Guides will point out any wildlife you may encounter, including harbor seals, sea lions, bald eagles, sea stars, jellyfish, and a variety of other marine species! Whale sightings by kayak are rare, occurring only a handful of times each season. Ask our Guides all of your nature questions!
Back to Land - As we cruise back into Roche Harbor, we'll reflect on our time on the water. If you feel inclined, our Guides accept gratuity via cash or Venmo. Thanks for paddling with San Juan Island Outfitters!
What to Wear
Top - Layers! We recommend a comfortable athletic base layer, a warmer outer layer, and top windbreaker shell. We can store any extra layers in our locked boxes at the dock if you decide to leave any layers behind.
Bottoms - We recommend wearing athletic bottoms that you are comfortable sitting in for multiple hours.
What to Bring
We provide dry bags that you can borrow to keep any extra items nice and safe. Most of our PFD (life jacket) models have a front pocket, perfect for cell phones and small cameras.
- Warm layers
- Footwear you don't mind getting wet - You won't be exciting the kayak on this tour, but there may be residual water in the boat.
- Camera
- Snack
- Water bottle
- Sun protection
- Please no alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana.
All of our kayak tours depart from the historic Roche Harbor Resort, located on the north side of San Juan Island. From the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal, it is a scenic 20-minute drive. Free extended parking is available at Roche Harbor. Walking on the ferry? Ask us about scheduling a complimentary shuttle between Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor!
San Juan Island is accessible only by Washington State Ferry, plane, or private boat. Ferries depart the mainland from Anacortes, Washington. Ferry reservations for vehicles are strongly recommended. Ferry questions? Give us a call anytime at (360) 378-1323.