By booking online you save 10% off our listed prices. Use the following coupon code, DAY TOUR, and we will take an additional 5% off our listed prices. This will give you a total savings of 15%.

When you fill out the Reservation Guest Information Page you will be directed to the Payments Page. Simply Type the code DAY TOUR in the coupon box and click “Apply Coupon”. You will see a price reduction of 5%.

Remember the offer is only good for Day Tours, Half Day Tours, and Sunset Tours departing between the dates 5/14/12 – 5/17/12.

Hope to see you this week

With the sun out and the winds low. It was a great weekend to be on the water.

We are open and fully operational. We have daily departure for Half Day Kayak Tours (9am and 130pm) and Full Day Kayak Tours (11am). We also have Sunset Tours departing around 530pm. So if you are visiting the San Juan Islands give us call 360.378.2559 or better yet book online and save 10% on your Full Day or Half Day Kayak Tour.

http://www.facebook.com/DSKAYAKS

HA HA

The main topic is the proposed Cherry Point Coal Dock.

Two of the nations largest coal mining companies are proposing to build what would be the largest coal dock facility in North America. The facility would allow for 80 acres of coal piled 85ft high, UNCOVERED.  This presents a big issue of coal dust which is toxic to the marine environment and the air quality. Coal dust has a document negative effective on marine environments.  The following link will have more detail on the negative effects that can be expected if this facility is built.

http://invw.org/content/environmental-effects-of-proposed-cherry-point-coal-plan-debated

Another important note about the Cherry Point site are a population of herring.  The Cherry Point herring population have been in a steep decline over the years and new strategies are being developed to help increase and preserve this population.  The coal dock facility could very well be the end of this keystone food chain fish for many marine animals including Chinook salmon and killer whales.  For more information on Cherry Point Herring please follow the link below.

http://www.conservationnw.org/wildlife-habitat/cherry-point-herring

What are the concerns of those of us in the San Juan Islands?  Besides the obvious of all the above, transportation of the coal is a big issue,  mainly shipping traffic.

There is the possibility of an extra 200 ships a year moving in and out of the Haro Strait.  The very same waters where we commonly find Southern Resident Killer Whales.  The ships will be very large bulk cargo carriers.  Bulk carries are less safe as they do not have double thickened hulls. Creating an increased risk of fuel and coal spills if there is an accident with one of these ships.  The ship are powered by pretty nasty bunker fuel.  The capacity of fuel is somewhere around 2 million gallons.  The cargo itself has toxic effects on the marine environments.

The increased traffic in very narrow waterways will increase the risk of an accident.  The waters of the San Juan islands are so precious and sensitive that an accident could have disastrous effects on wildlife and shorelines. Another issue are possible erosional effects the extra ships could have on the islands coastline.  The last point I will hit on the bulk carrier ships are the operation methods.  When they cross the ocean they are full of ballast water.  This water is pumped into the ships to provide stability while crossing the ocean to retrieve cargo.  The water will be from foreign locations.  Ships are suppose to dump this water offshore in international waters before entering the area of the San Juan’s.  But often they are given leeway due to weather and water conditions at sea and are allowed to dump this water once in the safety of the inland sea around the San Juan’s.  This will lead to the introduction of new invasive species that will compete and at times out compete native species.

Lastly how is all of the coal going to make it from Montana to Washington state?  They will be shipping millions of tons of coal via open top train cars across communities from Montana, Wyoming and Washington state.  You can only imagine the negative health effects on those living along the railway corridor.  Those with reactive airway issues (asthma) will have increase issues.  People with healthy respiratory systems could see adverse effects as well.

The US has become less reliant on coal for energy, but China’s energy needs have grown exponentially.  Therefore these two large coal mining companies need to find a place to sell their product.  The coal is being sold to China at $3.00 per ton. But after you ship hundreds of millions of tons, there is profit.  The new coal facility will mainly be automated and staffing low.  Therefore job creation is really low.  Basically this facility will on make money for out of state coal companies and no money will stay in the community.  All of this is negative!

What can you do?

Visit  http://www.powerpastcoal.org/ and click the TAKE ACTION link at the top of the page. There you will find a list of contacts per state. Write a letter today.

I am sure science has a lot of questions to ask about the seasonal movements of the SRKW population. After all they are a subset of the Orca Whale population protected under the Endangered Species Act. Therefore being able to collect detailed information on the travel patterns could be useful for future conservation efforts.

The opposition tends to be wary of the tagging project, as they feel the tags could harm the animals. The concer that has been stated is the risk of infection. The SRKW population are known to have high levels of toxins in their system. The toxins possibly hinder their immune system. So a infection could have a negative outcome.

Here are a couple of articles for both sides.

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Americans+approve+tagging+endangered+killer+whales/6049558/story.html

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Opposition+orca+tagging+gathers+pace/6100692/story.html

San Juan Vacation

If you just want to read about the kayak tour experience with Discovery Sea Kayak, scroll down towards the bottom of the write up.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/20/ribbon-seal-on-dock-near-seattle_n_1219535.html

On sale for $1250.00.  Come save off the regular price of $2350.00.

If you are looking for a single kayak that has some cosmetic blemishes.  Well this is a great deal. P&H Capella 167 fiberglass kayak.  The Capella is a performance kayak that can be used from calm seas to the rough and tumble.  Good for day paddles or out for the week.  If your interested please contact us for a viewing of the kayak.

Sale Price $1700.00

We can package the kayak with life vest, paddles and skirts for an extra cost.

Please contact us if you are interested in getting a great deal on a kayak!

http://ngadventure.typepad.com/blog/2010/08/best-american-adventures-sea-kayak-the-san-juan-islands.html

The Island Explorer Kayak Tour Series is designed for for just that, EXPLORING.  We will travel to various islands and pass through many different waterways.  Camps are set at amazing state park camping areas in the islands, most of which are only accessible by boat. While camping you will experience island camping at its best.  With your guide along to help set tents and cook delightful meals, you can relax and take in the island scenery.

Wildlife encounters on Explorer Tours range from Killer Whales, Porpoise, Seal, Eagles and more.  This is truly a kayak tour that offers a touch of it all.

Discount Details:  So if you book and pay in full for your 3 or 5 Day Island Explorer Tour between the dates of January 1st 2012 and March 31st 2012.  You will receive 15% off the total cost of your tour.  The payment is prepaid and non refundable.

TO BOOK NOW:  Call us at 1.866.461.2559 or email us at info@discoveryseakayak.com