It depends to some extent on what you’re looking for. Late May, June and early July is considered the best time for seeing orca whales. The islands are less crowded then, but offer greater probabilities of getting variable weather. July and August generally offer the best weather in terms of less precipitation. The downside is [...]

The southern resident pods of Orca whales currently number over 80 individually identified whales in three separate pods. They are generally found in the San Juan and Canadian Gulf Islands between May and October when salmon, their primary prey, come from the ocean to spawn in either the Fraser River or the rivers of the [...]

No experience is necessary! Beginners are welcome on all of our Eagles & Orcas tours. Your safety is our number one priority. We use very stable double kayaks that tend to be wider and much more stable than single kayaks. We employ mature, seasoned guides who will give you a very thorough on-land orientation before [...]

It may be easier to list what you won’t see. Some of the more common wildlife sightings include minke whales, Dall’s porpoises, harbor porpoises, harbor seals, and river otters. In terms of birds, the San Juans are host to the second largest breeding population of bald eagles in the lower 48 states. Other birds include [...]

One of our primary goals at Outdoor Odysseys is to raise awareness about the unique character and importance of the Salish Sea and the San Juan Islands. The breadth of knowledge held by the diverse staff at Outdoor Odysseys ranges from marine biology, zoology, and geology, to environmental science, policy, and environmental education. Their colorful [...]

It varies, but figure an average of 7-10 miles per day with 12 miles the maximum we paddle in one day. Our tours are geared for novices and intermediate paddlers, so we’re not out there to make “mega-miles.” We also include a layover day on the third day of our five-day tour where participants have [...]

On average our group sizes tend to be around 6 – 7 guests per tour. On our day trips if we get above 9 participants we will add another guide and start another trip. On our overnight tours if we get more than 9 guests we will add another guide. We won’t take out more [...]

Our kayak groups typically include a mixture of both single guests and couples. We’ll pair you up with another single guest or if there is an odd number of people on the trip you may paddle with one of our kayak guides.

No worries. We don’t serve red meat or chicken in any of the delicious camp cuisine served on our trips. We do have one entree where smoked salmon is utilized. One lunch has canned tuna and another has deli-turkey sandwiches. In all cases other food is readily available. If you are a total vegan or [...]

We camp on various islands in the San Juan archipelago that are accessible only by boat. Our campsites are usually beautiful waterfront sites. The campsites are administered by the Washington State Parks Department. All the sites have picnic tables, fire pits, potable water and outhouses.

Unfortunately, there are no showers available at the campsites we use. On the positive side, if you’ve never kayaked before you’ll be pleasantly surprised that you do not get as dirty and sweaty as you would backpacking. There are public showers located in Friday Harbor at the end of the trip.

Outdoor Odysseys sea kayak guides strive to make each kayak expedition unique, fun, and safe for every client. We ensure that our guides are efficient, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. If you feel your guide did an exceptional job and made your time on the water more enjoyable feel free to express your thanks with a tip. [...]

You have a number of different travel options. The majority of our guests take a shuttle van that leaves right from Sea Tac airport 8-9 times a day and transports you to the Anacortes ferry terminal, which is about a two and a half drive. At the terminal it is simply a matter of purchasing [...]