Shearwater Adventures

Kayak Tours on Orcas Island

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we offer guided kayak tours on Orcas Island — no unguided rentals

Featured Kayak Tours

Most Popular

$99

Ages 7+
3 hours

Deer Harbor Kayak

daily tours • April – September
Get a taste of sea kayaking while exploring beautiful Deer Harbor and the Wasp Islands on this easy adventure. Sheltered waters provide a great location for experiencing fantastic views and marine wildlife.

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$99

Ages 15+
3 hours

Doe Bay Kayak

late May – early Sept • Mn/Wd/Fr/St
Explore the “far side” of Orcas Island on this three-hour kayak adventure. Enjoy views of Mount Baker in the North Cascades, along with a variety of marine wildlife. Strenuous tidal conditions on some dates — call for details.

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$99

Ages 13+
3 hours

Sunset Kayak

July/August dates • times vary
End your day on Orcas Island with this special experience. Deer Harbor Marina is the perfect setting for launching kayaks and watching sunsets over distant islands to the West. These tours are similar to our morning and afternoon 3-hour trips, but catch the quiet “golden hour” on the water.

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$145

Ages 15+
6 hours

Paddle & Picnic

mid May – mid September • Tu/Th/St
Pack your favorite picnic lunch and join us for a great day exploring the islands. Kayak to a small, uninhabited state park island or isolated beach. We have a long break mid-day to enjoy trails, explore tide pools if the tide is low, or just relax. After the break, we take a new route to loop back to the harbor.

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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.

Shearwater uses 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!

Kayak rental is included in each tour, along with all the paddling equipment needed. Participants simply need to dress appropriately for the day’s weather.

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

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See Why Our Guests Love Us!

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

Highlight of Our Trip

We went on the daytime tour out of Deer Harbor and it was the highlight of our trip... If you're visiting Orcas, you have to do a kayak tour with this company!

– Lexi K. | Google review | Aug 2023

Simply the Best

We have kayaked several times in the San Juans, (3-hours tours, and multiple day also)… Shearwater is simply the best of any company we have booked with in the past!

– Pamela L. | email | Aug 2023

Absolutely Magical

The bioluminescence tour was absolutely magical. Galaxies of light exploding underwater blew our minds and expectations!

– Darryl D. | Google review | Aug 2023

Best Kayak Company

Kayaks and equipment in great shape and guide was outstanding. As frequent kayakers, we highly recommend this quality company.

– krish922 | TripAdvisor | July 2023

Awesome Experience!

The trip was very safe and well organized while still being relaxed and fun. They have all the gear you need. Would definitely do it again.

– Patty H. | Google review | June 2023

Amazing experience!

Our guide was awesome. Best instruction and care I've ever experienced kayaking! Highly recommend!!

– Judith B. | Google review | June 2023

Best Kayaking Guides

Lee was our guide and he is one of the best kayaking guides I’ve ever had! I did the Yellow Island trip and it was wonderful! I highly recommend this trip and guided tour!

– TripAdvisor | April 2023

Wonderful Experience

Our guide Dan was kind, conscientious and extremely knowledgeable about the flora, fauna and geology of the islands. We had a wonderful experience kayaking with Shearwater!

– Stephanie D. | Google review | April 2023