Paddle & Picnic

Enjoy a Kayak Tour & Picnic in the San Juan Islands

Pack your favorite picnic lunch and join us for a relaxing time exploring the islands. Kayak to a small, uninhabited state park island or isolated beach for a fun experience of the islands. We include time to enjoy hiking trails, peer into tide pools (if the tide is low), or just relax during our ample lunch break.

Our route provides views of many small islands and wildlife encounters on the water and onshore. Bald eagles, seals, otters, and porpoise are common sightings.

Eastsound Village has a large grocery store and natural food co-op to supply all you need for lunch. Orcas Store (at the ferry landing) is also well stocked. We bring a soft-sided cooler to keep it all fresh.

Shearwater provides stable two-person kayaks, all necessary kayaking gear, dry storage bags, and professional guide. Our tours include about 30 minutes of gear adjustment and basic instruction. Expect about 2 hours of kayaking before lunch and about 2 hours after lunch.

No kayaking experience is required. However, this is a physical activity and all participants should be prepared to paddle for 2+ hours at a time. Wind and tidal currents (beyond our control) sometimes require strenuous paddling at times on these tours. 

Paddle and Picnic Tours are scheduled Tu/Th/St. If you have a group we may be able to add another day for you. Call for info.

Typical Schedule (route and timing may vary with conditions)

• 9 – 9:30 a.m. – basic instruction and gear adjustments
• 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. – paddle to a small state park island
• 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – lunch break and time to relax or explore on foot
• 1 – 3 p.m. – kayak through small islands and return to the harbor

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 ramp on the right side of the main dock.

Cancellations:  You want to go kayaking. We want to take you kayaking. We understand plans sometimes change. For reservations of 1-4 people, cancellations more than 7 days in advance of tour are refunded, less a $10/person fee. For 5+ people, cancellations more than 14 days in advance of tour are refunded, less a $10/person fee. 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. ←