If you don’t know about the San Juan Islands, you’re missing out. I was fortunate enough to be a sea kayak guide there for a few summers, and even after moving away to Bend, it continues to be a place I visit regularly.
Having been a van lifer doing seasonal work, I’ve been to a lot of places—none for too long until I made it to the San Juans. I was immediately blown away by the vast beauty of the landscape: dense, green, forested islands scattered throughout a dynamic sea, with a backdrop of the Olympic range to the southeast and the Cascades to the west, filled with more wildlife than I’v ever seen in one place. Making it a truly unique area and hidden gem of the PNW.
Kayaking in the San Juans
Even as a guide who was paddling these waters six days a week, it never got old. The constant change of currents made every day a completely different experience and required the trip to start long before you hit the water. When you stand on the Deception Pass Bridge for the first time and look down at the moving water below, it is really hard to believe that the flow is going to change and move in the complete opposite direction. But sure enough, twice a day that water slows to a stop and starts heading the other way. Because of this, taking a multi-day trip around the islands requires some planning. I very much enjoyed this aspect, as it made me feel way more connected to the area I was paddling in. Having an understanding of the tides and currents was critical to navigate the islands safely. Looking for a little more fun and excitement? Look no more. All kinds of features, not always associated with sea kayaking, can be found in the islands. Practice your peel outs on some eddie lines or find standing waves and do some surfing. The dynamic water and planning involved create an environment that is engaging and exciting for paddlers of all skill levels.
Wildlife in the San Juan Islands
Besides the sea being a playground for paddlers, it is also home to an abundance of wildlife. 
You can spend hours exploring the intertidal zones and find California sea cucumbers, big purple ochre stars, urchins, chitons, and even sea anemones, all of which make you feel like you’ve paddled to another planet. Other common sightings include otters, seals, porpoises, and a plethora of seabirds.If you’re really lucky, you might even spot the famous resident orcas the unofficial mascot of the islands.
San Juan Sunsets and Bioluminescence
The end of each day comes to a close in true San Juan fashion. Sit back and enjoy what is often a spectacular sunset, with beams of red and gold illuminating the sky, but it doesn’t end there, once the sun sets and the stars come out, you can experience the magic of bioluminescent plankton. As you paddle through the dark water, streams of fluorescent green plankton dance off the bow of your kayak and with each paddle stroke you take.
Take a Trip with Tumalo Creek
My time spent paddling the San Juans is something I will never forget, and you can experience them for yourself with Tumalo Creek! We run 3- and 5-day trips every year in September. This year’s trips are scheduled for Sept. 18–23 and Sept. 23–27. Sign up now, reserve your spot, and explore the beauty that is the San Juans.
