3-Hour "Taste of Sea Kayaking" Tour FAQ

Q. Why San Juan Island?

A. The San Juan Islands are the hidden jewels of the Pacific Northwest.  We feel you must leave the mainland of Seattle or Anacortes to experience the untouched beauty that is  found here... from our amazing  wildlife, pristine beaches, quiet coves, flower lined two lane roads to our shops, inns and restaurants owned and operated by local residents.  You won't find a commercial fast food restaurant here but you will find friendly faces, spaces to get away from it all and wildlife at nearly every turn.  The San Juan Islands are located in deep nutrient rich water of the northern Puget Sound and the west side of San Juan Island is a Chinook Salmon migration route making it a perfect feeding ground for the gentle yet majestic orca whale pods. So if you are looking for a little slice of heaven, come to San Juan Island.  Riding the ferry is easy and a beautiful way to get here and is now part of Washington's Scenic Byways.  

Q.  Do I need to bring my car from Anacortes to Friday Harbor?

A.  If you are just coming for the day to Friday Harbor, we recommend that you leave your car parked in Anacortes.  Crystal Sea Kayaking provides transportation to and from our private docks.  Just let us know when you make your reservation.

Q.  What do I need to bring with me on my tour? 

A.  You should bring sun glasses, a hat, sun block, water and layered clothes.  A camera is great to have, but be careful to keep it dry.

Q.  Will my feet get wet?

A.  On all of our 3 hour, sunset and longer day tours we leave from our kayak docks so your feet will stay dry.  Even if we land on a beach we use a method that allows you to keep your feet dry, so just wear something comfortable.

Q.  Will I see whales on my tour? 

A.  Our tours are located in the area that whales are most commonly seen but we can't guarantee them. The resident J, K and L pods of orcas have recently been put on the endangered species list so our goal is to respect them, abide by the guidelines and not to paddle aggressively into their path. We will give you a lesson at the beginning of the tour for appropriate kayaking behavior near wildlife.

Q.  Do I need to have any previous kayaking experience?

A.  No, you don't need to have kayaked before.  We will give you a brief kayaking lesson before we get out on the water and then focus on enhancing and tuning your skills during your tour.