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Prepare for Your Kayak Tour

We’re thrilled you’ve decided to join us for a sea kayak tour of the San Juans! Here is some helpful info to help you prepare for your adventure.

Travel to San Juan Island
What to Wear and Pack for your Tour
Kayaking FAQs
General Trip FAQs

Common Pre-Trip Questions

Where/When do we meet?

Pick-up for your trip is at the col de sac/traffic circle at the junction of Front St and Spring St, just towards the ferry from Downriggers Restaurant, just outside the Friday Harbor Ferry terminal at:
Half day trips: 10:45 AM or 2:30 PM
Full day trips: 10:45 AM
Multi day trips: 8:30 AM
Bioluminescence Trips: 6:30-8:30 PM Depending on the time of year.

How do I get from Seattle to the San Juan Islands?

Travel information here!

What is your cancellation policy?

All cancellations must be received via email. The refund rates are based on the date we receive your email request cancellation.

CANCELLATION PENALTIES: More than Sixty (60) days prior to departure - full refund minus a $30 handling fee. Fifty-nine (59) days to one (1) day prior to departure - full payment retained, full credit issued. All trip credits are fully transferrable expire 3 years from the date of issue. Guest cancellations less than twenty-four (24) hours from departure cannot be refunded or credited.

CANCELLED TRIPS: Outdoor Odysseys reserves the right to cancel any trip prior to departure for any reason whatsoever. The refund of all payments received shall release Outdoor Odysseys from any further liability, including expenses incurred by participants in preparing for the trip.

THRID-PARTY BOOKINGS: May be subject to additional fees and terms.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Outdoor Odysseys strongly recommends that you purchase travel insurance to offset unforeseen cancellation penalties, medical and evacuation expenses.

What should I wear on the water? What gear is provided?

  • Sun, wind, and air temperature can vary quite a bit on our trips. You will want to have the option of a waterproof shell as your most outer layer with flexibility for your remaining layers. We recommend a fleece layer to keep you warm but that can be removed (putting your shell back on if needed) when you get warm. We give you a 10L dry bag to roll up and place unneeded layers and keep them accessible.
  • As far as a base layer, you'll want something synthetic (not cotton) and it's up to the you if that should be a long or short sleeve
  • For your legs, we recommend a bathing suit, shorts, or cropped pants that can get wet and that are quick drying. leggings are fine as well as long as they are synthetic
  • For your feet you should wear secure footwear that can get wet
  • Some people do add waterproof socks or wool socks as a way of adding some warmth
  • You'll be sealed in your cockpit with a sprayskirt that keeps your lower half out of the elements and fairly warm.

  • For the Gear Provided and Multi-Day Trip Packing Information CLICK HERE.

    Where should I park?

    If you're only paddling with us for a day or night paddle, park up by the courthouse on 1st st. in the 8hr parking. It's only a couple blocks from our pickup location.

    In general, given the limited capacity of the ferries and limited parking options in Friday Harbor, Outdoor Odysseys doesn't recommend bringing your car to San Juan Island unless it's absolutely necessary. For your trips, we pick you up and drop you off right by the ferry on the waterfront in Friday Harbor. If you must have a vehicle, you can give us a call at 360-378-3533 to get some suggestions on where to park, keeping in mind that legal parking even in unsigned areas is limited to a max of 72 hours. Outdoor Odysseys does not provide parking.

    See All FAQs

    Amenities

    Our goal is to make your San Juan Island Kayak Tour as effortless as possible, so we strive to provide you with the best equipment and to think of all the little details that go into a great experience.

    Our Kayaks & Gear

    We have been purchasing our fiberglass double kayaks from Northwest Kayaks, a local kayak manufacturer in the Seattle area, since we opened our doors in 1987. Our plastic doubles which are used for our day trips are Boreal Esperantos. We also use NRS lifejackets, Snap Dragon spray skirts and Werner paddles.

    Food

    We’re passionate about our food. It’s not just fuel to paddle on; it’s a complement to your wilderness adventure. Learn more at our detailed Food & Amenities page.

    Lunches

    We provide fresh, delicious lunches on all overnight trips. Not all outfitters in the San Juans do. We don’t want you to have to scurry around buying food when you get here!

    Transportation

    If you don’t have a car, we can pick you up at the ferry and take care of any transportation to and from our launch point.

    Paddling & Camping Equipment

    We provide lightweight, high quality tents and dry bags, and we have sleeping pads and bags available to rent for a small fee.

    Local Tips

    Favorite hikes, favorite bars, best places to buy gear… just ask! We love sharing this place with our guests, so don’t hesitate to contact us if there’s anything we can do to help make your trip even more memorable.

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