World-Class Kayaking In The San Juans
Kayaking in the San Juan Islands is one of the best ways to experience the region's spectacular coastline, abundant wildlife, and peaceful waters. Paddle along rocky shorelines and secluded coves as you search for orca whales, seals, sea lions, porpoises, otters, and colorful marine life. Whether you're joining a guided tour or exploring protected bays on your own, kayaking offers an unforgettable way to discover the natural beauty of Orcas, San Juan, and Lopez islands. Always paddle within your experience level and follow local safety guidelines, as tides and currents can be challenging.
Lopez Island
To feel like a true island pioneer, go kayaking on Lopez Island. The south side of Lopez is dotted with national wildlife refuge islands, set aside for animals and protected—no people allowed. You can visit dozens of islands, such as Fortress Island, Skull Island and Crab Island. The silence of a kayak’s approach lets you view shoreline habitat and nesting birds without disturbing them.
You can also kayak by putting your vessel in right in Lopez Village in Fisherman Bay, or Otis Perkins County Day Park.
Expansive views are also very accessible from Lopez Island waters—off the southwest or southeast part of the island where Rosario Strait meets the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Orcas Island
The more protected waters of East Sound and West Sound on Orcas Island offer smoother kayaking, a boon for the beginner. With more than 125 miles of shoreline, Orcas offers kayakers a wealth of opportunity.
From the North Shore you can access a number of marine state park islands, such as Sucia, Matia and Patos. Paddle around them and enjoy the shoreline or jump ashore and explore their beautiful trails.
If you have your own kayak, consider visiting the two freshwater lakes in Moran State Park: Cascade Lake (which also has some rentals) and Mountain Lake.
San Juan Island
San Juan Island has so many great kayaking sites. On the North side, put in at San Juan County Park, a secluded cove where you can also pitch a tent. To launch your kayak from this popular cove between Memorial Day and Labor Day, first check in with the park manager to purchase a permit ($7 per day/$35 for the season). To receive a permit, you must watch a 15-minute presentation on kayaking safely and how to safely view marine wildlife.
The harbor at Roche Harbor Resort is a great place to take a guided kayak tour, or put your vessel in from one of the docks. Kayak trips from San Juan Island offer unobscured views of the Olympic Mountains and of Vancouver Island, just the other side of the Canadian border.
You have a slightly better chance of spotting an orca whale from your kayak, as the three Southern Resident pods frequent Haro Strait or Boundary Pass.
Let us acknowledge that we reside on the ancestral lands and waters of the Coast Salish people who have called this place home since time immemorial and let us honor inherent, aboriginal, and treaty rights that have been passed down from generation to generation.
