Anacortes Kayak Tours has guided sea kayaking trips through the San Juan Islands for decades, departing directly from Skyline Marina in Anacortes, on Fidalgo Island, the only San Juan Island connected to the mainland by bridges. This gives guests an advantage over other outfitters: no Washington State Ferry hassles, crowded boats, or sailing delays to plan around before even getting on the water. The business has earned a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, a Sunset Magazine Lifetime Adventure recognition, an NBC/KING TV Eco Tourism Award, and coverage in the Seattle Times, all reflecting its long-standing reputation in the region.
The trip lineup ranges from a 1.5-hour “Quickie” trip up through 3-hour and 5-hour half and full-day options departing from both Anacortes and San Juan Island, plus a Golden Hour and Bioluminescence sunset trip. The 3-Hour Anacortes trip explores Burrows Bay and the waters around Burrows, Allan, and Young Islands, home to one of the most studied harbor porpoise populations in Washington and a nearby wildlife refuge with a large seal population, giving strong odds of wildlife encounters alongside bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and increasingly frequent orca sightings in recent years. Multi-day trips run 2 to 5 days into the San Juan Islands, including destinations like Cypress Island and Sucia Island, with self-catered options available for more independent travelers. A Sea & Sky adventure pairs kayaking with rock climbing for a unique combination day, and Anacortes Kayak Tours is affiliated with Body Boat Blade for kayak instruction and classes at the same Skyline Marina location.
Anacortes Kayak Tours is the only outfitter in the San Juan Islands offering a choice between single and tandem kayaks on every trip, with tandems recommended for most guests and single kayaks available in limited supply for those in moderately good physical condition. No paddling experience is required for any trip, and every booking includes all kayaking gear, a trained guide, and dry bags for personal belongings.
The 3-Hour Anacortes trip runs $119 for adults, $109 for kids 12 and under, and $149 for solo travelers in a single kayak, with an early bird discount of $109 (or $149 for singles) on the 8:30am departure. A $5 on-site parking fee applies. Weight limits are 265 lbs per person in tandems and 225 lbs per person in singles.
For anyone looking to kayak the San Juan Islands from an easy, ferry-free mainland departure point, Anacortes Kayak Tours offers an award-winning, deeply experienced operation with trip lengths and formats to fit nearly any schedule.
