Kayaking FAQs

We welcome all levels of kaykers on our trips and our guides are experts at instructing beginner paddlers. Our paddling pace tends to be quite leisurely throughout the day. Our intention is to travel no faster than the slowest paddler in the group and utilize endurance to get us where we need to go.

Occasionally, we paddle through stronger currents that require sustained paddling for channel crossings. For your safety, your guide may ask you to paddle strong and fast to effectively and efficiently cross a channel. We will take plenty of breaks on the water to rest, observe wildlife, and take in the beauty of the islands.

The double kayaks we use are wider and much more stable than single kayaks. To be honest, our double kayaks really take some coaxing to “tip and flip.” Your guide will go over paddling technique and guidelines to keep you safe and dry. Safety is our priority; we won’t get out on the water until everyone feels comfortable.

The San Juan Islands sit in an inland sea, the Salish Sea, blocked from Pacific Ocean waves and surf by Vancouver Island - also a reason why the San Juan Islands are one of the premier kayak destinations in North America. Our tours don’t venture far from the coast, for both safety and wildlife viewing, which tends to concentrate in the coastal areas.

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 Multi-Day Trip Packing Information CLICK HERE.

We provide life jackets, paddles, spray skirts, and 10 liter dry bags for all participants. If you have your own life jacket, paddling jacket, or personal paddle, you are welcome to bring it.

Each trip type is unique. Please see the individual tour descriptions for age guidance. We can also offer custom family oriented toursfor younger paddlers. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any concerns.

For solo signups, your trip must be confirmed separately by Outdoor Odysseys based on ensuring we have a minimum guest threshold reached for your tour. Our kayak groups typically include a mixture of both solo guests and groups of two or more. We’ll pair you up for paddling 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. Solo travelers will always be provided their own tent on overnight trips.

San Juan Island and, specifically, our launch site from San Juan County Park, is the premier destination for whale watching on the west coast of the United States. If we do see whales, we make a point of watching them from a safe distance, respecting and fully embracing federal whale watching guidelines.

If whales approach us, we’ll either stop paddling and immediately “raft up” with other kayaks in our group and watch them pass by, or we will paddle out of their path toward shore and watch from our shoreline vantage point. Simply put, we are guests in their habitat and we make every effort to honor, respect and minimize our impact on these magnificent creatures.

Orcas are very social and curious animals and occasionally swim near the kayaks to say hello. For over the 30+ years we’ve been kayaking with orcas and other whales, we have had only memorable, friendly interactions and have never encountered aggressive behavior. Additionally, Outdoor Odysseys adheres to and supports K.E.L.P. regulations, maintaining a safe distance from all wildlife for their protection and safety.

Whales tend to go about their business as usual in the presence of humans in their marine habitat. Like us, they are mammals who breathe oxygen and nurse their young. They have a highly evolved communication system and are incredibly intelligent, social animals.

Outdoor Odysseys takes particular pride in our mature and professional guides. Every guide is Wilderness First Responder certified and intelligently trained to handle emergency situations both on and off the water. Each guide is equipped with a cell phone, VHF marine radio, and comprehensive first aid kit. Additionally, our groups are small to insure customer attention on the water and a more personal experience.

There are bathrooms available at the launch and lunch sites of all half and full day tours. Bathrooms are available at all campsites for multi-day tours. We usually kayak from one and a half to two hours before taking a lunch break on our multi-day tours, but we also paddle near the shoreline, and can make pit stops along the way.

Luckily, kayaking is already a water sport, so we do paddle in rain. Rarely do we cancel a trip, unless conditions are extreme, in which we will reschedule your trip.