3 Day San Juan Island Camping Kayak Tours

Kayak, Camp, and Relax

We take care of all the planning and details

Price: $925 / Person

I had dreamt of this trip for years. My very high expectations were easily surpassed. The trip was tailored perfectly to our group, from routes, to itineraries, to campsite, to (very very delicious) food. Haven’t stopped smiling since. (Review 2023)

Save on 3 Day Kayak Tours. Save 15% when you reserve a 3 Day Kayak Tour online! This is a pre-season promotion and will be available for a limited time. Promo Code 3Day24

Our 3-Day San Juan Island Kayak Camping Tour is pretty hard to match. So it is easy to see why this is the most popular overnight kayak tour option we offer, a perfect blend of expedition-style camping and relaxing vacation.

Paddle between islands and reconnect to the outdoors. Overnight kayak tours are the best way to step away from the day-to-day grind and listen to the water pass along the hull of your kayak. A diversity of wildlife resides in the San Juans. Seals, Sea Lions, Porpoises, and Whales all share the various waterways we travel.

On evenings that present the proper conditions, we will head back out into the darkness to observe the sparkling of Bioluminescence.

What sets us apart? Keep on reading.

Dates

We offer a limited amount of 3 Day Kayak Tours every season. We do so to ensure we have a complete focus on the quality of the kayak tours. We do a lot of planning and customized menus for each tour and we do not want to rush any of the processes. For this reason, we do sell out of space and recommend booking well in advance.

Is the date you want sold out or not listed? Complete the Kayak Tour Request Form and we will get back to you if we are able to accommodate your request.

Gourmet Camp Cusine

One of the many reasons guests come back for another 3-day kayak adventure is our food. Guides custom design meal plans for each tour. We source as much as we can from our organic garden and the rest from local farmers when possible. Each day, guides will prepare healthy and fresh meals. Please do not hesitate to ask for the recipes!

Day 1: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 3: Breakfast and Lunch

Quality Equipment

We go the extra mile when it comes to the equipment we use. All camping equipment is in excellent condition. Tents are spacious with plenty of room to stretch out in the evenings. Warm Marmot sleepings bags paired with comfortable Therm-A-Rest sleeping pads and camp pillows make for a great nights rest.  Enjoy traveling in fiberglass kayaks with lightweight Werner Paddles. Provided Seal Line dry bags will keep all of your belongings nice and dry. We select our equipment with care and put it to the test. Only the best is selected for our tours.

CampSites

The campsites we utilize on the three-day kayak tour are all typically equipped with water, picnic tables, composting toilets, comfortable flat ground for tents, and a variety of trails to explore. All island campsites visited are maintained by Washington State Parks. Camps do NOT have showers or electricity.

Each island we camp on has its own charm and character. Jones Island offers some of the most beautiful campsites with amazing sunsets and great hiking. Stuart Island campsites are tucked away and protected in a deep bay that provides great opportunities to see feeding Osprey and Harbor Seals patrolling the area in search of fish. Enjoy a hike through the countryside to one of the best sunset spots in the San Juan Islands.

Kayak Guides

Discovery kayak guides are highly skilled kayakers with strong naturalist (wildlife education) and history backgrounds. Not only are they skilled on the water, they take care of you at camp. All of our guides go through an extensive training period that requires a high level of dedication to complete. We spend long days on the water training to gain all the skills necessary to be a professional kayak guide. Off the water, we spend a lot of time in a classroom setting learning all the details of expedition planning, island history, the dynamics of the ocean waterways, and the animals and organisms that make up the complex island ecosystem. Multiday guides are also responsible for planning, prepping, and cooking each gourmet meal in the field. From freshly brewed coffee with a hearty breakfast in the morning, to delicious and filling dinners, rest assured your guide has thought of it all.

Why Choose Discovery Sea Kayaks For Your San Juan Island Kayak Tour

  • Best Value on San Juan Island. No need to go out and buy a lot of new gear, we have you covered. No hidden rental fees, camp fees or launch fees everything is included.
  • Kayak Guides: We assure you, you will have one of the best-trained and most knowledgeable guides on San Juan Island.
  • Small Groups: We operate with a small group of guests to ensure the quality of each tour.
  • The Equipment: We always have you covered. Top of the line camping and kayaking equipment provided. We provide everything you need for camping included in the tour cost. No equipment rental fees!
  • The Food: As mentioned earlier, we custom design all menus for each tour. We source produce from our own garden, local farmers, and farmers market.
  • Route Selection: We travel routes that best showcase the San Juan Islands and provide excellent whale watching opportunities.
  • No Hype: We believe in honesty and integrity. Give us a call or email if you need help with deciding what tour is best for you.
  • Last but not least: Impeccable reputation on TripAdvisor and YELP

We Provide

  • Sea Kayak Guide
  • Kayak Instruction
  • Tandem Kayaks and Paddles
  • Life Vest (PFD) and Spray Skirts
  • 1 10L Dry Bag and 1 20L Dry Bag
  • Waterproof Jacket and Pants (for paddling)
  • Tents (MSR 3 person tent for 2 guests)
  • Marmot Sleeping Bags, Sleeping Bag Liner
  • Therm-a-Rest Sleeping Pad and Pillow
  • All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
  • Plates, Bowls, and Utensils

You Provide

  • Water Shoes
  • Non-Cotton Clothing
  • 2 Short and 2 Long Sleeve Top
  • Base Layers (Long Underwear)
  • Quick Dry Pants
  • Shorts (Summer Season)
  • Hat and Beanie
  • Rain Jacket and Pants (for camp)
  • Light Fleece Gloves (Spring and Fall)
  • Fleece Jacket and Pants (Spring and Fall)
  • 2 Pair Wool Socks
  • Light Hiking Shoe
  • Follow Link Below for More Details
Price:$925 / Person
Style:Nature, Wildlife & Exploration
Location:San Juan Islands
Duration:3 Days / 2 Nights
Depart:8:00am
Our Shop
Activity:Average to Moderate
Restriction:16 Years Min / 250 Pounds Max

Tour Dates

If you do not see a date on the calendar that fits your travel plans. Email and inquire if we can accommodate additional dates.

3 Day San Juan Island Camping Kayak Tours Testimonial

We did the 3 day sea kayak and camping tour and it was the trip of a lifetime!! Everything was planned out really well, but the routes were also flexible enough to change to suit the group a bit better. Our group had varying dietary restrictions and they were expertly accommodated. Every meal was delicious; it didn't even seem like we were camping!

Venus M. - Review (2023)

Route & Itinerary

We use our extensive experience of the San Juan Islands to custom plan each route. Guides will factor in wind, tides, and currents to determine the safest and best route. We balance all factors to provide the best camping and whale watching opportunities.

Day 1

  • Check-in Time: 7:45 AM
  • Location: Discovery Sea Kayaks shop, 260 Spring St. Friday Harbor, Washington.
  • Pack Dry Bags (if dry bags were not picked up the night before)
  • Meet and Greet with kayak guide and guests.
  • The guide will cover trip and travel plan.
  • Depart for launch location

Once at the beach, your guide will instruct the group on proper packing and kayaking techniques. There will be time for a restroom break just before launching. The rest of the day will be on the water kayaking to the first-night camping location. Lunch break will take place mid-day. Dinner will be prepared early evening prior to or after a short hike. Before everyone slips away to their tents your guide will cover the next day’s plan.

Day 2

The second day of the tour is the most flexible. We tend to travel to another campsite on day two but base camping is an option, as will be covered during the shop meet and greet on day one. Day 2 starts with fresh coffee and breakfast. Soon after breakfast, it will be time to break camp and head out for another day of kayak exploration of the San Juan Islands. Mid-day there will be another break for a beach lunch and opportunity to stretch legs before getting back into the boats. Once at camp, kayaks are unloaded its time to relax. Dinner will be prepared early evening and your guide will cover the final day’s trip plan.

Day 3

On the the third and final day of the kayak tour we will make our way back to San Juan Island. The morning will start again with fresh coffee and breakfast. Following breakfast, everyone will break camp and pack kayaks. Day three is rarely spent back-tracking our first day’s route. This means the last day is just as exciting and unforgettable as the first. Again, there will be a short break part-way through the day as well as a lunch break. At the final beach location, everyone will unpack kayaks and load up for town. We arrive back in downtown Friday Harbor at an estimated time of 2:30 PM.

Please note the itinerary is a rough outline of travel. We can encounter delays that will affect our departure time and arrival back at the shop. Each day may be altered at the guide’s discretion.

Wildlife & Weather

Wildlife

San Juan Island is home to a wide variety of amazing wildlife:

  • Southern Resident Killer Whales: Salmon-eating whales commonly seen June through mid-October.
  • Transient Killer Whales: Marine mammal-eating whales may be seen throughout the year.
  • Baleen Whales: Humpback Whales and Minke Whales.
  • Porpoise: Harbor and Dalls porpoise are encountered year round.
  • Harbor Seals, California Sea Lions, and Stellar Sea Lions: Fairly Common in these areas.
  • River Otters: More elusive but seen any time of year. Most sightings are early morning or late afternoon.
  • Bald Eagles: San Juan hosts a healthy population of Bald Eagles with many nesting sites.

Every day is different and we can encounter other species of whales, seals, porpoise, and birds not listed above.

Weather

Early Season: Spring weather on San Juan is typically cool with daytime temperatures ranging from the low 50’s F to the mid 60’s F. Expect partly cloudy skies with light breezes to windy conditions.

Summer Season: San Juan Island can have some of the most pleasant summer weather. With half the annual rainfall of the Seattle area, San Juan is typically dry all summer. Temperatures range from upper 60’s F to the mid 80’s F. Skies are usually blue and clear, great for evening star gazing.

Late Season: Fall can be one of the best times to visit San Juan. The days become cooler, ranging from the low 50’s F to the mid 60’s F. Winds can be light to moderate depending on the current weather systems.

More Tour Related Info

Tour Preparation
FAQ's
San Juan Island
Whale Guidelines

Sea Kayaking Tours of the San Juan Islands

The San Juan Islands are a small chain of islands in the Salish Sea. The area is a world renowned kayak tour destination in Washington State.