San Juan Islands Exploration - FULL|AGC

ITINERARY

Day 1 - July 14, Sunday

We will meet at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island at 12pm. After meeting your guides, you will start your adventure with a kayak tour of Griffin Bay. After an introduction to kayak safety and touring techniques, we will set off on a 2 to 3-hour kayak adventure. Unhindered by strong tidal currents, this is an ideal first kayak in a uniquely peaceful environment with superb views of glacier-covered Mt. Baker and the Olympic Mountain Range. We will explore picturesque Dinner Island and its resident colony of chubby harbor seals, then turn south toward quiet coves. Hopefully, you could see bald eagles, Dall's or Harbor porpoise, river otters, mink and migratory sea birds such as scoters, harlequin ducks, loons and mergansers along with our local herons, cormorants, gulls and kingfishers! In the later afternoon we will head back to Friday Harbor for a relaxing dinner, and sunset over the water. Overnight: Friday Harbor, Earthbox Inn. D

Day 2 - July 15, Monday Today we will see the San Juan Archipelago from the perspective of a traditionally gaff-rigged sailboat. Wooden boats run deep in the heritage of this area, from native canoes to tall sailing ships to the modern-day wooden boat renaissance. We will get a rare opportunity to learn to sail a traditional schooner and work together to handle the lines and take the helm during a full day sailing trip. As we sail the channels and visit the quiet bays and inlets, we will be sharing the waters with orcas, otters, seals and porpoises as well as a plethora of other sea life and aquatic birds. Our on-board naturalists will share stories and life histories of the fascinating local environment and wildlife. Overnight: Friday Harbor, Earthbox Inn. B,L,D

Day 3 - July 16, Tuesday

Today we will l enjoy a scenic drive to San Juan Island’s west side and launch our kayaks into prime orca whale country! We will have a picnic lunch along the way. For a different perspective, we will take a short walk on a spectacular coastal trail and, from an elevated viewpoint, enjoy nothing but islands and ocean as far as the eye can see. Diverse wildlife, stunning vistas, and spectacular coastline are the highlights today. Wildlife can be seen in the sky, in the sea or on the shore, so bring your cameras and binoculars. Overnight: Friday Harbor, Earthbox Inn. B,L,D

Day 4 - July 17, Wednesday This morning we see the island from another perspective - ziplining through the canopy. Then we will take some time to explore Friday Harbor. This seaport village is a bustling place with galleries and museums. Lunch is on your own at one of the charming water view cafes just steps from the ferry landing and docks. After lunch, we will take a ferry to Orcas Island which is slightly larger, but less populous, than San Juan. Orcas is shaped like a pair of saddlebags, separated by fjord-like Eastsound. Overnight: Eastsound Village. B, D

Day 5 - July 18, Thursday

Today we get back in our kayaks to paddle through emerald waters to Sucia Island. Among the northernmost of the San Juan Islands, this horseshoe-shaped island is accessible only by watercraft. Boaters venturing into its coves and harbors quickly discover why Sucia Island is considered the crown jewel in the state marine park system. The main island, surrounded by picturesque rocks and smaller islands, gave pause to the Spanish explorers who navigated its waters in 1791. They called it ‘sucia’ or ‘dirty’ describing navigational obstacles such as the rocks around the island. The island and its waters are, in fact, pristine, and the satellite rocks make for interesting kayaking and beautiful vistas.Overnight: Eastsound Village. B,L,D

Day 6 - July 19, Friday

After a delicious breakfast, we will drive to Moran State Park for a hike to the high point on the San Juan Islands- Mount Constitution. At the summit we can climb the stone observation tower, patterned after a medieval watch tower, for panoramic views of the surrounding islands, the Cascade Mountains and on a clear day Mount Baker, Mount Rainer and Vancouver, B.C. The majority of the San Juan Islands are quite hilly, with some flat areas and valleys in between, often quite fertile. The coastlines are a mix of sandy and rocky beaches, shallow and deep harbors, placid and reef-studded bays. Gnarled, ochre-colored madrona trees grace much of the shorelines, while evergreen fir and pine forests cover large inland areas. Hiking 6.7-7.7 miles, 1500 ft elevation gain. Overnight: Eastsound Village, Orcas Island. B,L,D

Day 7 - July 20, Saturday Today we must say good bye to these beautiful islands. We will catch a morning ferry back to the mainland to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal. From there we will transfer to the ‘Airport Shuttler’. You will take the shuttle to the airport and catch a flight out after 4:30pm. If you want to extend your adventure you can take the light rail into Seattle from the airport.

Trip highlights

Sea kayaking in the beautiful archipelago of the San Juan Islands

Seeing a variety of wildlife such as seals, bald eagles and much more

Hiking to Mount Constitution with 360 degree views of the islands

Sailing through the islands on a wooden sailing boat

Experiencing island life on two different islands: San Juan and Orcas Island

Price:

Our new San Juan Islands Sampler is a multi-sport adventure in one of the most spectacular island archipelagos in the country. Craggy coasts, deep blue-green waters with abundant sea-life, and pastoral landscapes abound. We’ll explore this landscape via our feet, kayaks, tall sailing ships, and even a zip line. Staying on both San Juan and Orcas Islands gives us the opportunity to sample all that this unique environment has to offer. $3195

Trip Includes

Two experienced AGC guides (if there are more than 7 people)

Seven nights double occupancy lodging

All meals from dinner on Saturday through lunch the following Saturday, except for one lunch.

Two days and one half-day of sea kayaking

A full day learning to sail on a traditional wooden schooner

All transportation once you arrive in Friday Harbor and transportation to Seattle airport (Sea-Tac) at the end of the trip

What's not included: Travel to and from Seattle, travel to Friday Harbor at the beginning of the trip, alcoholic beverages, travel insurance, guide gratuities and one lunch.