Quick Details
Kayak Orcas Island After Dark
Orcas Island is not famous for its nightlife, but this is it! The San Juan Islands have become known as a fantastic location for viewing bioluminescence—glowing plankton that makes the water dance with light. Join us for a 2-hour experience of kayaking through the glowing and sheltered waters of Deer Harbor. Our routes take us through the best areas for seeing this fantastic light show.
To maximize the best sightings, we offer bioluminescence tours during the darkest nights of summer. (Other dates you can join our Full Moon or Sunset tours.) These tours are very popular, so book early to experience the magical lights from the depths of the Salish Sea.
Shearwater provides stable two-person kayaks, all the necessary kayaking gear, dry storage bags, and professional guide service. No kayak experience is required. Our tours include about 30 minutes of gear adjustment and basic instruction. Expect about an hour and a half on the water on this tour.
Start times vary. Offered on the darkest nights from June to September. We launch from a marina dock so your feet and shoes stay dry.
Restrictions
Minimum age: 15 years
Maximum weight: 260 lbs /person; our kayak openings are 35″ x 17″
Maximum height: 6’4″
Meeting Location: Deer Harbor Marina. Meet outside The Barge Gift Shop, down the right hand ramp by the shop at the end of the main dock.
Cancellations: You want to go kayaking. We want to take you kayaking. We understand plans sometimes change. Cancellations more than 48 hours in advance of a standard, scheduled tour are fully refunded (more than 5 days in advance for groups of 5+; private and custom tours have a separate policy). Late cancellations or changes, late arrivals, and no-shows are refunded only if we are able to fill the tour.
→ Please read our Cancellations page for details. ←