Bald eagle flying in the San Juan Islands

San Juan Island Family Paddle and Hike

$99 Starting Price

Per person

Duration: 4 Hours

Season: Wednesdays and Saturdays, All Season at 10:30AM

The perfect way for a family to spend the day! Join Outdoor Odysseys on a stress free family paddle from the beach at Pear Point just across to Turn Island State Park. This tour is about getting people, especially children, on the water possibly for the first time. When we arrive at our destination, the guide will engage with you and other guests on the level of experience and comfort as well as consider the water conditions before choosing to either paddle directly to Turn island, around the coastline or around Turn Island (or some combination). Time on the water can be as long as short as you are comfortable with and will be determined in consideration of comfort, skill, and conditions.

On Turn Island, guests will have the opportunity to hike the perimeter of this beautiful uninhabited island, looking out for otters, eagles and other wildlife while your guide prepares a healthy, produce-forward lunch for your family. When you're back from the hike, engage your guide in a fun discussion about our unique island ecosystem and any friendly creatures you might have met along the way. After lunch and some time on the beach looking for crabs, sea shells and other sea life, you'll get back in your boats and paddle close to shore possibly around Turn Island and the San Juan Island coastline depending on what you and your guide decide will feel right. This tour is appropriate for all ages 2 and up.

Pricing:

Family of 4 Bundle: $399

Single Adult: $135

Teens (13-17): $115

Child (0-12): $99

Group Option: Traveling with other families or a larger group of 6 or more? Reach out to us to turn this into a private tour with custom dates and timing available!

Your Next Adventure Awaits Whether you’re a returning explorer or setting out for your first paddle, trust us to guide you through the natural wonders of the San Juans. As we step into Outdoor Odysseys' 39th season, 14th under the passionate leadership of Tom Murphy, we remain committed to the spirit of adventure that defines every journey with us. Curious to learn more about the rich history and thrilling experiences at Outdoor Odysseys? Visit our blog for an in-depth look at our journey from the early days with REI Adventures to the present.

Start

Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal 10:30 AM

End

Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal 2:30 PM

Price Includes

Kayaking instruction and guiding
Kayaking gear
Dry bag
Lunch
Transportation to and from launch site. Please note that Outdoor Odysseys does not offer car seats as part of our transport. If your child is at an age where a car seat must be used, there are several options we can discuss including having you meet us at the launch site, not far from Friday Harbor.

You Provide

15-20% gratuity for your guide(s)
Water bottle
Sunglasses and/or hat
Sunscreen
Quick dry clothing
Extra layers
Secure sandals that can get wet

MORE INFO ›

San Juan Island Family Paddle and Hike Itinerary

Pick Up and Paddle

We’ll meet you at 10:30 AM at Memorial Park near the ferry landing in Friday Harbor. Enjoy a short drive to our launch site at Turn Point County Park to the south east of Friday Harbor and learn a little bit about the natural history of the archipelago from your guide and what our plan for you for the day will look like. After a thorough dry land orientation covering paddling technique, safety and boat handling, we’ll get you and your family out on the water to explore the rocky shores in and around this marine sanctuary.

Lunch and Hike

For our afternoon, we'll get situation on Turn Island, a state park and island off the coast of San Juan Island. While your guide prepares a fresh lunch, they'll direct you on a fun hike around this uninhabited island, where you'll explore the forest and look for some it's friendly creatures. If it is low tide, you'll search the nearby tide pools for sea stars, sea cucumbers, and chitons and maybe even an otter. When you come back around the island, lunch will be served and you'll talk with your guide about everything you and the kids got to see on your hike!

Afternoon

After refueling on shore, and some downtime on the beach, we’ll get back into our kayaks and continue our exploration of the marine back; eventually arriving back at Turn Point County Park. After a fun day of sea kayaking, hiking, playing on the beach, enjoying scenic vistas, and seeing wildlife we’ll get you back to Friday Harbor around 2:00pm to enjoy the rest of your visit to San Juan Island.

Learn More

The OO crew couldn't have been more professional and prepared from the moment they picked us up at Friday Harbor through the launch and landing. It was beyond expectations and worth every penny.

Brian

If you’re looking for a fun and unforgettable kayak trip in the San Juan Islands, I highly recommend Outdoor Odyssey. Our 3-day trip was superb.

Shelly

I am not usually someone to pay for a guided tour, but this was absolutely worth it and a huge highlight during our time in the San Juan Islands. Our guide was awesome. We were a group kids, teens and adults (two families). We learned a lot about the island, and had a ball along the coast for our 7 mile day trip.

Seth K

The food was excellent. Organic as much as possible, fresh as much as possible, well prepared, and plenty of it.

Tim

This trip was one I will never forget. Outdoor Odysseys does such a great job on these kayak trips. Our guides were wonderful. The food was beyond belief...for anywhere, not just a kayaking trip.

DJW

This company has been around for a long time. They know how to treat people.

Cocoa

We were a group of four taking a full day kayak trip. I would highly recommend this tour group. We saw orcas, seals and bald eagles. The lunch that was prepared was vegetarian and delicious, and much enjoyed after several hours of kayaking.

Nina

From the first phone call to the last handshake, my experience with the Odyssey team was perfect. We all departed happy campers, passionate about our 3 day journey with team Odyssey!

Betty S

Just got back from an overnight camping trip with OO about a week ago, and after the time we had, I had to write a review. Overall, I would highly recommend this company and trip for anyone who wants a bit of a physical challenge with a lot of fun memories in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.

Stephanie M

Great kayaking, great guide, great food. I went on a 4-day kayak trip. We saw orcas on the first day only, but also saw seals, river otters, harbor porpoises, eagles, heron, and other wildlife. Can't over-recommend this trip.

Mizree P

What Sets Outdoor Odysseys Apart

Our Guides

Food & Amenities

Giving Back

Guide Profile

Tom Murphy

Tom Murphy graduated from Lawrence University with a biology degree in 2003. After graduation Tom spent a year and a half overseas. He traveled through India, worked for an NGO in Nepal, and taught elementary students science in the…

Chastanna Niemann

Peter Yacobellis

Peter, a lifelong New York City region resident, now lives full time on San Juan Island, helping to run Outdoor Odysseys. Peter has a long and storied career in government, tourism, and in corporate America. Peter has a graduate…

Lily Keziah

Laura Montanari

Born on the coastal islands of Georgia and raised in the marshes and swamps of the south, Laura has always maintained a deep connection to the ocean. Her earliest memories are paddling canoes through the Okefenokee Swamp with her…

Justin Niemann

The mangrove islands and Everglades of southwest Florida are Justin’s native habitat; but having guided here in the San Juans since 2020 – these shorelines feel like home as well. Justin has been around a little longer than most…

Eli Todaro

Eli Todaro grew up in Southeast Louisiana. Eli is a NOLS Wilderness First Responder alumni with specialties in swift water and high angle rescue. He has always had a great passion for the outdoors. Growing up hunting and fishing…

Tiff Pendergrass

Caroline Seto

Caroline’s love for the outdoors took root early, backpacking through the forests of Virginia. It was there that she developed a deep respect for wildlife and the natural world—something that continues to guide her today. Caroline got her start…

Samantha Munson

Megan Anspach

Chris Gomez

Hannah Whellan

Sam Maylor

Sam grew up outside Seattle, WA, with the Cascade Mountains and the Puget Sound as his backyard. After getting a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Washington, Sam vagabonded through Europe, Australia, and the US before finding…

Maddie Hollister

Growing up in Seattle, Maddie Hollister gained a love for outdoor recreation and education attending a summer camp on Puget Sound, where she eventually became a lifeguard and outdoor educator. She studied marine biology and science communication at Quest…

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