A gear check prior to departure is always a good idea .
but don ’ t have any experience or want to deal with bringing your own equipment , then a tour is the best bet . If you want to see whales hire a professional guide from one of the many kayaking outfitters in the archipelago who can safely take you to the best viewing areas . Most also provide overnight trips and some offer self-catered trips , meaning they provide the guide and kayaks and you bring your own camping gear and food . Outfitters provide basic training and place guests in stable double kayaks and single kayaks if you have some experience . Tom of Outdoor Odysseys says , “ just bring the gear you already have . We provide all the paddling specific equipment as well as tents and even sleeping bags if you don ’ t have your own . All you ’ ll need is your clothing and toiletries for the trip .”
Erik of Anacortes Kayak Tours suggests , “ if looking for an outfitter , ask a lot of questions to get an idea what your expectations will be .” He recommends looking at reviews on Trip Advisor to get an idea of what type of tour you may be interested in .
Rentals While not as popular as guided tours ,
kayak and SUP rentals are available throughout the islands . If you ’ re just looking for a casual paddle for a few hours this is a great option to get some exercise and explore the shoreline . Even Cascade Lake on Orcas has a rental if you prefer fresh water .
PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS To avoid crowds , Erik Schorr , owner of Anacortes Kayak Tours , suggests coming mid-week in the summer peak months . Tom Murphy , lead guide for Outdoor Odysseys , a San Juan Island kayak outfitter , suggests to come during the shoulder to the peak seasons ( May , June , September ) to still get good weather but avoid the crowds . Schorr adds , “ September is one of the best months to visit . We usually have August warmth , and the crowds are gone !” Murphy says they offer custom kayak tours in the off season as does Body Boat and Blade , the San Juan ’ s only kayak school , which has off season sea kayak instruction in October , November and April .
Jeff Zbornik of Shearwater Adventures on Orcas Island suggests paying attention to the ferry system in planning your trip . Zbornik adds , “ Reservations can be cancelled up to 5 p . m . the day before travel , so it makes sense to reserve early . Just be sure to change or cancel the day before , if necessary . If the system shows no availability for a certain date , know that more space is released and available at 7 a . m . two weeks and again two days in advance of any specific sailing date . Ten percent of capacity is reserved for stand-by travelers , so there is a chance to get here without reservations ( but get there hours early and be prepared to wait ).”
For those wheeling their kayaks or paddle boards on the ferry , the ferry fee is the same as a motorcycle . Be prepared to be loaded first . Test your wheeled kayak system prior to your trip to make sure it works well when summoned to roll on .
Weather Zbornik recommends to always have a plan ‘ B ’ in case of adverse weather . This also means taking a hike or enjoying down time while waiting for weather to pass . While the archipelago is known for its warm and dry summer weather these same effects and steep terrain plus fast current can create accelerated funnel winds which are unpredictable and should be factored in with your paddling route . Like much of Puget Sound , blue skies can trigger a northeasterly wind or sea breeze . In winter , this effect which originates in the Fraser River Valley in British Columbia can lead to frigid temps . Southwesterly winds are also common during summer in Haro Strait on the San Juan ’ s west border .
Fog is possible September through February . August is called ‘ Fogust ’ in the Pacific Northwest , signaling the beginning of this seasonal cycle .
48 explore : NW | The Official Magazine for kenmore air | Spring 2017