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Shearwater Adventures

Kayak Tours on Orcas Island

Featured Kayak Tours

What sets us apart?

Shearwater is Orcas Island’s original kayak outfitter—sharing the fun of kayaking and the beauty of the San Juan Islands for over 40 years! Our commitment to guest safety, a quality experience, and respect for wildlife has been unchanged in that time. Join our small groups on beautiful routes in stable kayaks.

Every tour includes

      • high-quality, fiberglass, tandem kayaks
      • spraydecks for comfort & safety
        (keeps splashes & drips out of the kayak)
      • adjustable life jackets
      • light-weight paddles
      • custom, padded seat backs
      • dry storage bags
      • professional guide service

Shearwater Adventures


Shearwater Adventures has been offering a variety of sea kayak tours, instruction, and retail sales on Orcas Island since 1982. Over the years, we have introduced thousands of people to the joys of paddling in the San Juan Islands. Our focus has always been sharing the fun of kayaking and the beauty of the marine environment.

We use the best kayaks and equipment available. We have a dedicated staff of qualified guides, and we know the islands better than anyone. Kayaking with Shearwater is a great activity to experience during your visit to the islands. Join us for a kayak tour and a fantastic time on the water!

Read our Cancellation Policies for details if your plans need to change.

See Why Our Guests Love Us!

Wonderful Tour!

We had such a wonderful tour! Dan was a great guide and made sure we got to see as much wildlife as possible. You can tell he loves what he does and loves the islands which translates to an awesome paddle. Thanks for a wonderful trip!

– Cali W. | TripAdvisor | June 2025
Amazing Experiences

My husband and I did two tours with Shearwater, the bioluminescence and Deer Harbor tour. Both were amazing experiences. The tour guides were patient, knowledgeable, and really cared about the islands and wildlife.

– Veronica M. | Google review | June 2025
Fantastic Guides!

Great experience both days with both tour guides who were very knowledgeable, clear and thorough in their instructions and fun ! I especially enjoyed seeing and learning about the natural history of the islands. I highly recommend!!

– Anne E. | TripAdvisor | June 2025
Wonderful Experience!

We had a wonderful experience on our kayak tour out of Doe Bay! Jeff was an excellent guide and was very knowledgable about the San Juan Islands, wildlife, tides, and more. I would recommend Shearwater Adventures to anyone visiting Orcas Island!

– Dana C. | Google review | May 2025
Once in a Lifetime

Although we all had a bit of kayaking experience, we benefitted greatly from Jeff's expertise, clear instructions and calm demeanor. Once in a lifetime experience for our family visiting the PNW for the first time!

– Maureen P. | TripAdvisor | Apr 2025
Must do!

Excellent tour (Paddle and Picnic) and Elizabeth was a wonderful guide. Great wildlife sightings and it was just the right amount of effort to feel accomplished but not exhausted.

– Aaron L | TripAdvisor | Aug, 2024
Best of the Best

Thank you, Shearwater Kayak Tours for hiring the best of the best guides to give us the best of the best experience!

– Elizabeth G. | Google review | July 2024
Fun and so easy

First time kayaker but Guide Mason made it so fun and so easy. He taught us so much about the area and now I'm addicted to kayaking!

– Andi B. | Google review | July 2024
Phenomenal!

The sunset kayak tour was phenomenal. It was spectacularly beautiful and our guide, Mason, was kind, capable, and smart. I highly recommend this tour.

– Kimberly S. | TripAdvisor | July 2024
Delightful Day

A delightful day seeing wildlife (harbor seals and bald eagles) and enjoying the waters of the Salish sea.

– Paul G. | Google review | July 2024
Tons of Wildlife & Beauty

We had a great paddle, and saw tons of wildlife and beauty. I cannot recommend Shearwater Kayak Tours highly enough.

– Whitney P. | Google review | June 2024
Beautiful Scenery!

Great, knowledgeable and friendly guide. Very nice kayaks- I’ve never been so dry exiting a kayak! Beautiful scenery!

– Diedre A. | Google review | June 2024
Fun and Informative

Such a fun and informative daytime kayak tour with Jenna! Already planning the next one!

– Melanie G. | Google review | June 2024
Fantastic Afternoon

Really recommend going out with Shearwater if you are on Orcas. We saw tons of wildlife and just had a fantastic afternoon!

– Sara F. | Google Review | May 2024
Must-do experience!

The wildflowers, the wildlife, the stories from our experienced guide... everything culminating into an experience to be remembered for a lifetime.

– Mandy R. | Google review | May, 2024