All Trips > Washington > San Juan Islands Kayaking and Camping San Juan Islands Kayaking and Camping Choose Your Dates AT A GLANCE Washington 14 Explorer Chicks Glamping, Camping Glamping, Hiking, Multisport, Paddling, US-Based, Water Sports, Weekend, Wildlife 5 Days 3 - Active Physical demand level for this trip By Foot, Paddle, and Fork Photos Itinerary Logistics Activity Level What's Included Choose Your Dates Share By Foot, Paddle, and Fork Do you identify as orca? Are you craving stupid-fresh air, dense-as-night forests, weird sandal tanlines, and probably the best kayaking in the world? Get your paddle-happy butt on this women-only sea kayaking and camping adventure in the San Juan Islands! We treat you to Washington’s most stunning archipelago from the comfort of glampsites (with perfect cocktail decks) and traditional backcountry camping. Over the next 5 days, you’ll explore Orcas Island, San Juan Island, and Stuart Island by foot, paddle, and fork. There will be cheese. The San Juan Islands are home to three pods of killer whales. Over 80 tail-flapping giants call these waters home, along with harbor seals, river otters, Steller sea lions, common minke whales, Dali’s porpoises, and bald eagles. Catch a guided whale watching tour at sunset on Day 1 and explore the secret universe of tide pools on the shoreline. It’s okay, blowholes make us misty too. Live like a Wilderness Queen as you explore the mighty forests and mountain lakes of Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juans. Hoof the best trails including a steep hike to the highest point, Mount Constitution. From the top, you’ll gaze upon rugged coastlines, insane ocean views, and snow-capped mountains before breaking for a picnic lunch and winery visit. The rest of our adventure is filled with backcountry kayaking to Stuart Island. Feel like a pioneer as you load up your two-person kayak expedition-style––all your camping gear, food, and personal items are coming with, Explorer Chick! We’ll paddle up to 15 miles, making our way across channels and straits to reach Stuart Island to set up our homey primitive camp. Here we’ll do more hiking and paddle to other nearby islands while your co-workers back home collate copies. Whenever we’re back at camp, your guides cooking up bougie backcountry meals. Sink your pearlies into fresh, organic, locally sourced ingredients that you didn’t have to lift a finger to make. Expect wine pairings also. And dessert. And never wanting to leave. Are you coming or what? Photos Itinerary Expand All Days Day 1 - Sunset Whale Cruise Gather round your new besties at noon in Memorial Park/Circle on San Juan Island. Make a beeline for your Explorer Chick guide (the one wearing all the swag) for quick intros before transferring to our glamping home for the next two nights. Once on site, we’ll settle in and walk through orientation. We know you’re buzzing to just GET IN THE WATER ALREADY so we’ll sneak in a quick sea kayak lesson or hike. Look at us already making inside jokes about butt sweat! Once we’re all loosey-goosey giggly, we’ll board the boat for our sunset whale watching tour. Our captain will not only keep his eyes peeled for the infamous Orcas, but for any wildlife that calls these islands home. Accommodations: Glamping Meals: L-D Day 2 - Hiking Orcas Island and Winery Anyone else emotionally hungover from those whales? After a big breakfast, we’ll take the ferry to Orcas Island, the largest island in the San Juan Archipelago. You’ll encounter fluffy forests, pristine mountain lakes, and views that look like paintings. Lace up those hikers nice and tight as we explore the best trails in Moran State Park. You’ll enjoy leisurely strolls around Cascade Lake and Mountain Lake, keeping an eye out for bald eagles swooping down for a fresh catch. We’ll also take on the highest point of the San Juans: Mount Constitution. (Appropriately named.) Climb the tower atop the 2,409’ mountain for panoramic views of Mt. Baker, Mt. Rainier, and the rest of the snow covered Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges. Naturally, (’cause we’re Explorer Chicks) all this hiking will be rewarded with a yummy picnic lunch plus a winery experience before taking the ferry back home to our glamping site. Perfect Day #2 achieved! Transfer: 20 minute ferry ride Mount Constitution Hike: 6.7 miles/1,490’ gain Accommodations: Glamping Meals: B-L-D Day 3 - Sea Kayaking to Stuart Island It’s your first big day on the open water! Channel your inner sea lion as we pair up into kayaking teams. We sea kayak expedition-style, meaning you’ll be loaded up with a share of the camping gear, food, and personal items. If you can bring all the groceries inside in one trip, YOU CAN DO THIS! Your guides will review kayaking techniques and navigation before you set out for Stuart Island. We embark from Roche Harbor on San Juan Island and cross the Speiden Channel with views of Speiden Island. The island was once used for big game hunting in the 1970’s-80’s. Today, it is privately owned and home to Mouflon sheep, the European fallow deer, and Japanese silk deer. We’ll make a pit stop at yet another island for a tasty picnic lunch on a pebble beach. Come late afternoon, we’ll drag our kayaks onto the shores of Stuart Island where we’ll set up base camp followed by some free time to dip our toes in the water. After dinner we can take a sunset hike, enjoy an evening paddle, or gossip around the campfire. Paddling: Approximately 5 hours and 7-10 miles Accommodations: Backcountry Camping Meals: B-L-D Day 4 - Day-Tripping by Boat and Foot With our basecamp established on Stuart Island, you’ll enjoy an entire day of scoping out the trails and tiny coves along the shores. Today we can go wherever the group decides. We can hike to Turn Point Lighthouse or paddle to more tiny islands like John Island and the Cactus Islands. Along the way, be on the lookout for bald eagles, river otters, and harbor seals. Your EC guide will drop all the local knowledge and show you the most scenic pee spots. 10/10 would drop trow here again. Once back at camp, your guides will prepare one last backcountry gourmet meal with the perfect wine pairings. Soak it all in, sista: the wilderness, the quiet, the disconnect, the gentle tide. You’re doing life right. Paddling and Hiking: Varies, but a full day mix of both! Accommodations: Backcountry Camping Meals: B-L-D Day 5 - Kayak to San Juan Island Morning already?! We’ll pack up our little backcountry home and load up our kayaks to paddle back to Roche Harbor. You’re basically sea kayaking elite by this point. Enjoy the final pristine views as we glide back across the Spieden Channel, keeping those peepers peeled for basking seals. Once back to Roche Harbor, you’ll have a chance to wash those spicy pits at the marina showers before we transfer back to Friday Harbor. Hug it out, airdrop all the photos, and start planning the next adventure with your new sisters! Plan to depart the island around 4:30pm. Paddling: Approximately 5 hours and 7-10 miles Meals: B-L *Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, or other unforeseen incidents. Logistics Arrival Major Gateway Airport: Seattle, WA (SEA) See Notes below for options from Seattle to San Juan Island Pick Up Location: Friday Harbor, San Juan Island Meeting Time: 12pm on Day 1 Departure Major Gateway Airport: Seattle, WA (SEA) Drop Off Location: Friday Harbor Return Time: 4:30m. Transfer Instructions from Seattle to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island Full travel details including transportation service recommendations will be in your travel guide. Option 1 – Fly: Charter flights from Seattle to Friday Harbor (here or here). Option 2 – Ground: Shuttle (3.5 hours) or Drive (2.5 hours) from Seattle to Anacortes, then Ferry (1.5 hours) from Anacortes to Friday Harbor Rendezvous point is in walking distance of both the Ferry Terminal and the Island airport. We recommend arriving a day early into Seattle, Anacortes, or Friday Harbor to avoid any problems with tight transportation schedules, delayed flights, ferries, or luggage. You will receive a Travel Guide with all the rendezvous hotel, packing, and additional information you’ll need to prepare for your epic trip. We require a minimum of 5 Explorer Chicks for this trip. Please confirm your trip is guaranteed before booking airfare. Activity Level Rated 3 – ACTIVE This trip is rated a 3 – Active because of the final 3 days of your trip where you’ll kayak up to 15 miles and 6 hours per day with tides, waves, and currents. You will be paired with another Explorer Chick in an “expedition” style kayak that will be weighed down with gear. This trip can be enjoyed by beginners, but you should be in good physical condition. You can also expect some soreness/fatigue during the kayaking portion. Our daily kayaking routes will include stops to use “natural toilets,” rest, hydrate, and snack. However, when we have channel crossings there will be no chance to get out of your kayak to use the “toilet.” Channel crossings can take up to 2-2.5 hours. Although you are not required to be able to swim, it is recommended so you’ll feel more comfortable in the open water. Daily Activities: Day 2: Mount Constitution Hike. 6.7 miles. 1,490’ gain. Day 3-5: Kayaking. Up to 15 miles daily. Up to 6 hours daily. Please consider your ability to meet the physical demands very seriously. It is for the safety of both you and our group. All Explorer Chicks will be required to sign an Acknowledgement of Physical Demands as part of their waiver upon booking. Read more about our Activity Levels. What's Included Lodging: 2 nights Glamping on San Juan Island shared 2 per tent. Big, beautiful Pinterest-worthy canvas glamping tents decked out with furniture and porches. Equipped with bedding, bath linens, tables and chairs, outdoor chairs, and fire pits. Shared shower house and restrooms. No electricity and spotty cell service 2 nights backcountry camping shared 2 per tent. Includes shared tents, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and pillow. Primitive camping with pit or compost toilet. No showers available. Activities All activities and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary Kayaking including instruction, safety equipment, 20L and 5L dry bag for personal belongings. Gratuities for all excursions Meals Meals and cocktails with a focus on local ingredients and purveyors. Backcountry bougie! All meals as indicated in itinerary: B-4, L-5, D-5 Gratuities for included meals Practical Professional leadership team with local guide and Explorer Chick Guide Gratuities for local guides A detailed Travel Guide with everything you need to know for your trip The freedom to enjoy your vacation and mindlessly wander! Not Included Airfare Airport Transportation Alcoholic beverages Travel Insurance Meals exclusive of itineraries Costs for additional activities Gratuity for your Explorer Chick Guide Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, or other unforeseen incidents. More from the San Juans 🚨 BEST PLACE in the WORLD to spy Orcas?📍 San Juan Islands, WA.The Southern Resident orca population of the San Juan islands is made up of three distinct pods: J, K, and L pods which feed almost exclusively on fish (especially their fave: Chinook Salmon 🦈)✌ Each pod consists of multiple matrilineal families (#girlpower), with each whale having it`s own unique markings that researchers use for identification and tracking. Right now, there are 89 resident whales in the San Juans!👀 We take advantage of PRIME whale watching season (March - October) to witness the pods breach, breath and sing during a guided whale-watching tour at sunset!🐋 Have you ever been whale watching? What did you spy? 👇2024 Dates released on August 29th!#ExplorerChick #WomenWhoTravel #AmongTheWild #IdHikeThat #WanderWomen #AdventureTravel #OutdoorWomen #EasyDoesntChangeYou #WomenWhoHike #WeAreExplorerChick #HikingCulture #HikeLikeAWomen #SheIsNotLost #WeAreNature #PositiveMindset #OutdoorTherapy #BucketListTrip #BucketListTravel #wildernessexplorer #pnw #sanjuanislandswa #orcawhale #seakayaking #glamping #explorerchicksanjuans #saveouroceans #whalewatching #discoverwildlife #cetaceans Open 🦅 What`s home to the densest population of breeding bald eagles?📍(Nope, it`s not our political capital)... The OTHER Washington!The stunning San Juan Islands claim this notoriety thanks to the 145 pairs of majestic raptors that nest here!🐟 Why raise a birdie family in the San Juans? Food is abundant and not a stressor (🙌y`all moms know... anything to avoid stress 😅)! The inland sea is stocked full of salmon and other fish, seabirds, and waterfowl; the prairies host rodents and snakes to feed on.Plus, with over 450 islands, there is plenty of space for everyone to spread their wings in this recently designated National Monument! And let`s not forget about all the others who call this area home... humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, sea lions and orcas! 🐋🛶 with us in the San Juans, WA ⏰4 Spots left: Aug 20-24 #ExplorerChick #WomenWhoTravel #AmongTheWild #IdHikeThat #WanderWomen #AdventureTravel #OutdoorWomen #EasyDoesntChangeYou #WomenWhoHike #WeAreExplorerChick #HikingCulture #HikeLikeAWomen #SheIsNotLost #WeAreNature #PositiveMindset #OutdoorTherapy #NatureTherapy #BucketListTrip #BucketListTravel #wildernessexplorer #pnw #sanjuanislandswa #orcawhale #baldeagles #seakayaking #glamping #explorerchicksanjuans Open Load More Let's Do This Starting from $2899 Book Now Save $200 with our Early Bird Discounts! Just book at least 6 Months in Advance! Discount is automatically applied. Non-Refundable Deposit: $200 due at booking to secure your spot Book with Confidence Your wanderlust doesn’t have to wait. Our payment plans make booking your dream trip easier than ever. The best part? Zero additional fees. Payment Plans We want nothing more than for you join us. However, we understand emergencies do occur that may cause you to cancel your reservation. Cancellation Policy To protect your travel investment and your hide, we recommend purchasing travel insurance. Receive a no-hassle, online quote in less than 2 minutes. Trip Insurance In Her Words Jen R. ★★★★★ Take the trip! It’s an amazing time surrounded by a community of women. I’m already planning my next adventure!Robin R. ★★★★★ There are no words to really explain the outstanding trip to Uganda!There was everything from seamless planning of accommodations to transport both in air and ground. More than this, was the camaraderie that this group displayed! We supported each other , and had a complete blast!! Nicki our guide is passionate about what she does and it shows, she was fun, and is a total package leader! The hikes and trekking for the animals especially the chimpanzees and gorillas was so DAMN amazing! Had to pinch myself so many times! I was in Africa! Not just in Africa, but having my dreams come to life about seeing the beauty and all the creatures! If you are hesitating about this trip STOP. Book it. Hike in the jungle, get wet, be a dirty girl!! Live life!!Accommodations and food were unreal!Lisa B. ★★★★★ If you prefer to work really hard and spend lots of time and energy planning a trip and dealing with the headache of navigating, finding good places to eat and fun things to do all on your own then this is not for you. Now if you prefer to show up and have amazing people guide you and cover every detail so you don't have to and love every minute of it, then this is definitely for you! As a solo traveler I was warmly welcomed (with a margarita!), met some amazing women and had the adventure of a lifetime. It would not have been possible without our brilliant guides Lauren & Amanda on the Smoky Mountain Boots & Roots Hiking Trip. This being my first time I would not hesitate to book another trip. Amazing experience!!Dawn Julian M. ★★★★★ I just got back from the Moab/Arches trip, and wow, what a fantastic adventure! Kayla and Jess were incredible, making every moment super enjoyable. It was such a treat to just relax and soak in the experience without worrying about the details. I’m definitely booking with Explorer Chick again!Kitty F. ★★★★★ 2 day 1 night - Red River Gorge, with the best group ever! Thank you so much Jody, wonderful, knowledgeable, guide. As well as a big thank you to the amazing group of "chicks". Thank you!carrie P. ★★★★★ Amazing trip!!! Lauren and Amanda were fantastic, so patient. Accomodations and food perfect....Already looking for another trip!lisa B. ★★★★★ Our Las Vegas weekend was amazing! Our guide Kara led us through our adventures like a pro! Rock climbing, amazing dinners, kayaking and overnight camping . She listened to our requests and worked with our needs. We had so much fun and made new friends - A+Deanna F. ★★★★★ What a fantastic trip! Kirstie and Hannah made everything perfect, from changing our itinerary due to weather, to making delicious lunches, snacks when needed, and taking us to experience some amazing places! I would highly recommend joining these ladies, but only if you want to have an adventure to remember! I already have another trip booked! 🙌🥾Lisa H. ★★★★★ Had the best time ever!! Got to do things I never would have dreamed of and accomplished things that I'm very proud of. Our guide Kirstie was fantastic, as was our Islandic guide/driver. Everything was planned out and taken care of so that all we (the 12 Explorer Chicks on this trip) had to think about was the next fun activity or the next great meal. I would SOOOO do another adventure with Explorer Chicks and recommend to anyone that has the desire to do something possibly out of their comfort zone. This gave me the confidence to tackle more things in the future like this.Lauren R. ★★★★★ I'm not sure there are any words to truly describe what an incredible experience I've just returned from in Iceland I had previously done a few local events with Explorer Chick, but this was my first big trip with them. I would give this 10 stars if I could! I can't believe all of the things that we fit into 1 week. Memories to last a lifetime.. ice climbing on a glacier, incredible waterfalls, driving ATVS on a black sand beach, hot springs, a beautiful and challenging hike. So many things! It was SO incredible to just show up and have everything else planned and taken care of for me. Our guide, Kirstie Mullikin, was top-notch! She went far out of her way to ensure that every single one of us had a wonderful experience. She made sure that I, with the culinary sophistication of a 5-year old, did not go hungry! This trip far exceeded any expectations I had. Looking forward to my next trip with Explorer Chick!Dr Deb S. ★★★★★ What a great experience! The trip location (Iceland) was phenomenal and the guide (Kirstie!) was the best guide one could imagine! I will travel again with Explorer Chicks, in a heartbeat an hopefully get Kirstie as guide again!! The group of ladies on this trip were diverse in their backgrounds, experience, and age but they were all out there enjoying the experience! Highly, HIGHLY recommend!!Amanda C. ★★★★★ Great experience! Questions About The Trip? 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