kayak

Today we started out by launching out of county park and started paddling north on a 5-hour kayaking trip.  The weather was perfect with blue skies and sunshine the entire trip.  Not long after being on the water we were surprised by a harbor seal popping up with 15 yards with what looked like a canary rockfish in its mouth.  We got to watch it gorge itself for awhile before paddling on.  We stopped for lunch and were just finishing up when we spotted a bull orca.  So we...

More October wildlife magic to report!

After getting geared up and into our Kayaks on the dock at Roche Harbor, we headed out our normal route to enjoy an afternoon on the calmly rippling waters of the Salish Sea.

Even before we left the harbor we were in a position and mindset to better enjoy wildlife like the abundant and goofy pelagic cormorants and the harbor seals that were living up to their name.

As we headed out into Spieden Channel we had great views of all the...

Today I set up my kayak tour just like any other. We got geared up, talked a bit about safety and paddling, then got in the boat and hit the water.

As soon as we began paddling through Roche Harbor, however, I knew that this was going to be a great trip. We began to encounter cormorants and could see right through the crystal clear water to the bottom on the shores of San Juan and then Pearl Island.

Making our way out into Spieden Channel, we had great views of Vancouver...

My blogs usually take place from the platform of our whale watching vessel, the M/V Seahawk. Today, however, history was made: My guests and I "got whaled" from kayaks!

Taking people kayaking compared to cruising on the whale watch boat is a completely different perspective. We are lower to the water, propelling ourselves along our path using nearly silent paddle strokes as opposed to the noisy diesel engine, typically in much smaller and intimate groups, and we are much...

The Resident Orcas of the San Juan Islands made an appearance for our kayak tour today.  While observing the intertidal zone invertebrates just north of Half 'Moon Bay, the whales approached us from the south and put on a dazzling show with tail slaps, side-swimming, and even a few breaches.  We also encountered many playful harbor seals, who danced alongside us in the bull kelp forests and did spins in our boat wakes through the eelgrass beds.  The massive tidal exchange...

Another great day here in Roche Harbor.  We had some up close seal encounters with plenty of sunshine today!  We also got to hold some purple ochre seastars!

Kayak Guide Chris, 3 hour kayak tours, San Juan Island Outfitters Whale Watch and Kayak Tours

You stay classy Roche Harbor

It was an interesting day out on the water today!  Today started pretty breezy with gusts around 10 mph.  This created an exciting paddle out to Open Bay with some choppy waves and plenty of wave splash.  Lots of fun! After lunch the wind died down and it was a perfect day out on the water!

Kayak Guide Chris, 5 hour kayak tour, San Juan Island Outfitters Whale Watch & Kayak Tours

You stay classy Roche Harbor.

Today was one of those real special paddles.  We started our 5-hour trip heading north and viewing a pair of bald eagles and getting some up close looks at some harbor seals.  We continued our paddle by heading south down the west side of Henry Island.  As we continued heading south I noticed many boats in the same area gradually coming closer and closer.   By the time we made to a place called Kellet Bluff the whales were right behind us.  Jackpot.  We found a nice...

Today was another beautiful day in the San Juans.  We ended seeing orcas on three separate occasions!  We sat and watched the whales for about 15 minutes total.  We also got to see some harbor seals and bald eagles up close as well.  The water was smooth and the winds were calm.  It was a picture perfect paddle.

Kayak Guide Chris, 5-hour Kayak Paddle, San Juan Island Outfitters Whale Watch And Kayak Tours

Just got back from an epic kayak tour! We saw whales breaching in the distance as we sat in kelp beds surrounded by harbor seals. The paddle back was blessed with some huge lions mane jellyfish! What a day!

San Juan Outfitters Kayak Guide Owen, 3 hour tour, July 27, 2014