Roche Harbor 3 Hour Kayak Sunset Tour
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Every Tour is Unique!
Sunsets on San Juan Island
This tour combines our standard kayaking experience with the added bonus of an incredible sunset over the Canadian Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island. Sunset kayak tours are a photographer's dream come true!
We slow our standard kayak tour pace to patch the serene, evening glow of a Salish Sea sunset. Even with the more subdued pace, guests have the same opportunities to view the wildlife typically seen on any of our 3-hour kayak tours. We usually see bald eagles, harbor seals, sea birds, sea stars, and a variety of tidepool animals.
A staff favorite, sunset kayak tours are unforgettable!
Sunset Tour Itinerary
The biggest draw to the sunset kayak tour is definitely the quiet waters. Fewer boats are out at this time of day, and the evening lighting makes the perfect setting to unwind after an epic day exploring San Juan Island.
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 dinner or lunch!). 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 Sunset Kayak Tours are perfect for beginners and seasoned paddlers alike. 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 Sunset Tour route heads north past Pearl Island, passing by Posey Island State Park, and around McCracken Point. This route provides stunning views of Spieden Island and westwardly views of our Canadian neighbors! We may adjust the route depending on weather, tides, and currents. Your Guide will provide nature interpretation and is eager to answer any questions you may have about this amazing ecosystem. Common wildlife sightings include harbor seals, bald eagles, and variety of marine bird species. Whale sightings by kayak are rare, but occur a few times each season!
Back to Land - As we cruise back into Roche Harbor by the lingering summer sunlight, 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
- 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.