It's hot! Here are our top 8 favorite ways to cool off during your San Juan Island vacation.
#1 Guided Kayak Trip with San Juan Outfitters
With this beautiful San Juan summer in full swing it’s the perfect time to get out on the water and get your paddle on! Come out on one of our guided kayaking trips with San Juan Outfitters! We have the perfect paddling option for your group with 3-hour, 5-hour, and sunset paddles available. This is also a great opportunity to get your kiddos on the water for their first sea kayak experience.
Check availability and book by going to www.sanjuanislandoutfitters.com or by calling us at (360) 378- 1962.
2018 Prices
3-Hour Guided Kayak Tours are $99/person + taxes and fees; 5-Hour Guided Kayak Tours are $119 + taxes and fees; and our 3-Hour Guided Sunset Tour is $89 + taxes and fees.
Tip: If you choose to do the 5-Hour Guided Kayak Tour bring a yummy lunch, half way thru the paddle your guide and your group will haul out on a beach and each eat the lunch you packed- after all that paddling you’ll work up quite the appetite and your future self will be glad you planned well!
#2 San Juan Outfitters Sit-On-Top and Stand-Up-Paddleboard Rentals
If you are looking to get out on the water in Roche Harbor, but aren’t quite wanting to tackle a multi-hour guided kayaking trip, consider taking our sit-on-top kayaks or paddleboard out for an hour or two - or even the whole afternoon! They are perfect for families with children too young for our background:white;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none">family specific kayak tours color:#333333;background:white">, or people who don’t have the time for our guided tours. They are also a great way to spend an hour or two before or after one of our background:white;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none">whale watch & wildlife tours by vessel color:#333333;background:white">. color:#333333">
There is nothing better than grabbing a snack and paddling around the harbor at your own pace. If you are feeling particularly adventurous you could even paddle the whole harbor.
Our sit-on-top kayak rentals out of Roche Harbor rent hourly for $25/single kayak/hour and $30/double kayak/hour. Paddleboards rent hourly for $25/board/hour.
Tip: Pack snacks and allow yourself plenty of time to enjoy a leisurely paddle around the harbor- it’s a beautiful place to relax on the water!
#3 Concerts at the Port of Friday Harbor & Marina
Come enjoy the “Music Summer Concert” Series sponsored by Kings Marine and Island Petroleum. These concerts take place at the Port of Friday Harbor every Saturday from 3-5pm.
This is a great opportunity to take a break from your afternoon, hear some great music, and cool off in shady Fairweather Park.
The remaining performances for this summer are:
August 11 color:#333333">th color:#333333">: Ian McFeron
August 18 color:#333333">th color:#333333">: Rhythmatics
August 25 color:#333333">th color:#333333">: San Juan Jazz Quintet
September 1 color:#333333">st color:#333333">: Ranger and the Re-Arrangers
Tip: Much of the time you can hear these performers while walking around the waterfront, make sure to swing by and check them out- you’ll be glad you did!
#4 Island Rec’s Movies in the Park
Island Rec proudly hosts Movies in the Park select Saturday evenings in August. These movies began as soon as it gets dark and are the perfect ending to a fun day! Bring a blanket and munch on some free popcorn and you enjoy that week’s movie.
The three remaining screenings are:
August 11 color:#333333">th color:#333333">: Space Jam
August 25 color:#333333">th color:#333333">: The Secret Life of Pets
September 1 color:#333333">st color:#333333">: The Jungle Book
Questions? Contact Island Rec for more information.
Tip: Bring a blanket and some movie candy to enjoy while relaxing- you deserve to treat yourself!
#5 Whale and Wildlife Watching Tour with San Juan Safaris
What better way to cool down than with mother nature’s natural air conditioning?! Wind chill on our whale watching trips is the perfect way to cool yourself down aboard one of our whale watch & wildlife tours! Daily tours are available from Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor.
2018 Prices
Classic Whale Watch & Wildlife Tour (available from Roche and Friday Harbor, San Juan Island ) is $99/adult, $69/child + taxes and fees, and our Adventure Whale Watch & Wildlife Tour aboard our high-speed open air vessel (Friday Harbor, San Juan Island) is $119 + taxes and fees.
Tip: Trips book up FAST! Call us ASAP to book your excursion with us!
#6 Roche Harbor Resort Pool (Free for Roche Harbor Resort Guests/ $8 for public)
If the hot weather is proving to be too much, it’s time to head down to Roche Harbor’s Pool. Located just steps from the harbor this pool if the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day. A nicely sized pool allows for prime refreshing swim opportunities, while the deck has plenty of lounges to get your tan on. The pool area offers a breezy beautiful view of Roche Harbor that will make your afternoon enjoyable and relaxing.
Tip: Most lounges look directly over the harbor yet are still foot steps to the pool!
#7 Evening Lectures at Friday Harbor’s Whale Museum
The Whale Museum hosts lectures throughout the year, but their summer series specifically explores how humans can live in harmony with their environment. This summer different lectures that existed were “Dealing with Deer,” “Marine Mammals,” and “Swallow and Sparrows, Flickers and Flycatchers.”
Two lectures remain:
8/23- “A Critter’s View of Your House”
9/20- “Rat Poison and Raptors”
These lectures are free and open to the public. More information can be found by calling (360) 378-4710 or by emailing info@whalemuseum.org.
Tip: Get there early, seating for these lectures usually fills up!
#8 Refreshing Treats on Friday Harbor’s Waterfront
After so much fun throughout your day, you’ll want to continue to cool down with a refreshing treat. Riptide Café, located directly next store to the San Juan Safaris offices, has great iced beverage drinks including iced coffees, blended beverages and organic fresh fruit smoothies, tasty ice cream treats like ice cream sandwiches, sherbet and popsicles. Stop by and grab some!
Tip: Ice Cream and Smoothies- I think those sell themselves!
Hope these ideas offer you some fun thing to do to beat the heat during these hot August summer days! See you out there enjoying the sunshine!
Until Next Time,
Naturalist Alexandria