Looking for one of the best kayaking destinations in America? Washington’s San Juan Islands tucked away in the Salish Sea are home to beach campsites, mountain views, tropical water, and even orcas!

why this blog? Hi there, I’m Maddy! Two summers ago, my partner and I spent 12 days exploring the islands by kayak and camping along the way. This past summer, we came back to work as a sea kayaking guide for Outdoor Odysseys on San Juan Island! Here are our favorite campsites, viewpoints, and places you just can’t miss for kayaking in the San Juan Islands:

this blog post was updated in 2024!

Note: this blog post contains affiliate links! That means if you choose to make a purchase based on my recommendation, I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you.

How to Kayak in the San Juan Islands:

The San Juan Islands are on the ocean! This means that generally, the San Juan Islands are not a beginner kayaking trip. All kayakers should be in sea kayaks (a kayak greater 16 ft in length with sealed bulkheads, or pockets of air, to prevent sinking) and be familiar with tidal currents. Even in May, we heard emergency calls for missing kayakers or swimmers on our marine radio almost every day. 

If you would like to venture out on an unguided tour, consider first booking a sea kayak course with Body Boat Blade in Anacortes, Washington. 

If you would like to book a guided tour (recommended in most cases) check out Outdoor Odysseys. Outdoor Odysseys offers half-day, day, and 2-4 day overnight tours. Outdoor Odysseys also offers night tours to view the bioluminescence of the San Juan Islands. Note! I worked for Outdoor Odysseys as a sea kayaking guide in 2023!

This article focuses specifically on the best places to kayak in the San Juan Islands! For the best things to do in the San Juan Islands, read this article instead!

Will I see Orcas in while kayaking the San Juan Islands?

Some expectation setting: In 12 days in the San Juan Islands sea kayaking, we did not see a single orca. We did however see plenty of seals, sea lions, porpoises, sea stars, eagles and more. It wasn’t until we paddled north of Nanaimo, BC, that we saw several pods of Orcas. Consider yourself fairly lucky if you see an Orca in the San Juan Islands by kayak. If your primary goal is to see Orcas, consider a whale watching tour on a motorized boat.

That being said, the San Juan Islands are frequented by the Southern Resident Orcas. Your best chance of spotting one of these orcas is in the outer islands, where you have an unobstructed view of the horizon, or on a whale watching tour on a motorized boat, where your captain will take you to places orcas have recently been spotted.

Over my summer of sea kayak guiding in the San Juan Islands, I saw orcas roughly every 4th trip– this was extremely unusual and WAY more than my coworkers saw them! Still, only two of those times did we see orcas from the water. Consider yourself extremely lucky if you get to kayak with the orcas, but definitely do not come in expecting to.

For a detailed guide on how to see orcas in the San Juan islands, check out this guide on San Juan Islands whale watching!

Leave No Trace in the San Juan Islands:

The San Juan Islands are the ancestral homelands of Coast Salish First Nations and the Lummi Indigenous Tribe. This means you can safely assume you are always camping on an area of cultural and archeological significance. Leave all plants, animals, artifacts, rocks, ect, as you found them, and avoid digging or other activities that might potential disturb a cultural site. 

Have campfires in designated fire rings only in the San Juan Islands unless it is clearly posted that fires are allowed in the intertidal zone. All solid human waste belongs in a pit toilet or packed out, including toilet paper. Camp in established camping areas only. Rather than wash dishes with soap, clean dishes with sand or gravel in the lowest possible tidal zone. Leave nothing behind, and expect to pack out all garbage. 

Observe minimum approach distances of marine mammals! It is illegal to knowingly approach a whale, orca, seal, sea lion, dolphin, or other marine mammal. Observe from a safe distance and do not approach. 

Note that cell service may not be reliable in the San Juan Islands. Carry a VHF marine radio and know how to use it for emergency communication. 

Most campsites in the San Juan Islands are non-reservable with some exceptions. Expect to pay cash for a permit upon arrival. Fees go toward campsite maintenance and restoration projects to make sure parks stay open to recreation. 

For more marine Leave No Trace best practices, visit BC marine trails. 

What to pack for kayaking in the San Juan Islands

• A lightweight windbreaker: I use the Cotopaxi Teca 
• lightweight hiking boots or trail runners: The Oboz Arete trail runner is a better choice and easier to pack. (I’ve been using these as my ocean paddling shoes because they dry quickly and they somehow have not fallen apart after regular saltwater wear and tear!)
• wool or synthetic baselayers: long-sleeve baselayers are a great choice for sun protection and can keep you comfortable in the changeable weather of the San Juans. For a synthetic baselayer check out the Patagonia Capilene. For wool, I like the classic Smartwool pullovers. 
• sunshirt, long sleeved and hooded. Sun in the San Juans can be brutal, especially on or near the water. 
• quick dry shorts (Patagonia Baggies or Kavu Chilli Chic)
• quick dry hiking pants: I was gifted the Women’s Freeflex Rollover over the winter and they’ve quickly become my favorite travel/hiking pant. They’re extremely flattering (even when I gained weight over the winter), quick drying, and manage to look clean even after multiple days on trial. Literally can’t recommend these enough. 
• good binoculars: NOCS Field Issue are the pair I would recommend for the casual hiker/whale watcher. The smaller standard issue are really good, but. the fields are so markedly superior for not that much more. I don’t own their pro pair, but I imagine they would be a little large for casual travel if you’re not seriously into birding. 
• synthetic sleeping bag and sleeping pad: synthetic bags are better for kayaking because they dry more quickly
• day hiking backpack
• camera

Headed out an overnight sea kayaking trip in the San Juan Islands? Here’s what to pack and how to pack a kayak!

Nine Best Places to Kayak in the San Juan Islands:

From incredible campsites to tropical-like beaches, here are nine of the best places to kayak in the San Juan Islands.

1) Stuart Island

If you’re looking for teal coves, lighthouses, and views of Canada, you can’t beat Stuart Island. Stuart Island is located about a days paddle from Roche Harbor. Note that most routes and access to Stuart Island will require a crossing of Spieden Channel; Spieden Channel is subject to tide rips and turbulent eddies and should be crossed at or near slack tide.

Stuart Island has beachfront campsites available for campers and access to a hiking trail out to Turn Point with views of the Canadian Gulf Islands. On an overnight visit in the summer you are likely to share the campground with other campers and boaters. There is both a water spigot and pit toilets on the island.

2) Lime Kiln State Park on San Juan Island: The best place to kayak with whales!

Lime Kiln State Park on San Juan Island is the bets place to see whales from land in the San Juan Islands, but did you know it’s also the best place to kayak? Day trips to Lime Kiln State Park are generally beginner friendly, and you can (and should, the tidal currents can be wild!) book a guided tour with Outdoor Odysseys. Outdoor Odysseys can pick you up directly from Friday Harbors, so no need to bring a car over to participate in this sea kayaking day trip!

A glassy day sea kayaking on San Juan Island with a view of the Olympic Range.

Check out the ultimate guide to buying your first kayak as a beginner!

3) Spieden Island

One of the most interesting islands in the San Juan Islands, Spieden Island is currently privately owned with no public access, but can be passed in route to Stuart Island. Once upon a time Spieden Island was stocked with exotic game for hunting, including mouflon sheep, fallow deer, and Sika deer. 

Spieden Island is an excellent spot for wildlife viewing as many of the animals graze on the barren south side of the island. Currents around and crossing to Speiden Island can run at several knots. This route is recommended only for experienced paddlers, or with a local guide. 

4) Jones Island: best kayaking destination in the San Juan Islands

Searching for the jewel of the San Juan Islands? Look no further than Jones Island Marine State Park. Jones Island is full of beautiful tent pads with ocean views, hiking trails along scenic bluffs, pebble beaches, and drinking water. In my opinion, Jones Island is the best spot to watch a sunset in the San Juan Islands, rivaled only by Spencer Spit (keep scrolling!).

Jones Island has 24 campsites, two of which are part of the Cascadia Marine Trail and reserved only for those arriving by human power (ie, kayak, canoe, rowboat). The best way to reach Jones Island is on a commercially guided sea kayak tour, or via private boat.

5) Lopez Island

Lopez Island is one of the most beautiful islands in the San Juan Islands, and has several excellent options for beginner kayakers! 

The town of Lopez itself is very cute, with small restaurants, coffee shops, and groceries. Spencer Spit State Park is one of the only places in the San Juan Islands where island camping meets car camping! Here, you can strap your kayak to your roof, set up shop, and spend the weekend exploring the beautiful waterways around Spencer Spit. Note that currents between Spencer Spit and Frost Island can run at several knots, but the nearshore water around the spit itself is generally calm and suitable for beginners*. Spencer Spit has restrooms and several ADA Accessible facilities. Nearby rental of sea kayaks, SUPs, and bicycles is available.

Lopez Island can be reached via the Washington State Ferry.  

Spencer Spit State Park has two Cascadia Marine Trail sites for kayakers. These sites are a long carry up from the water, but might be useful for anyone thru-paddling the area. It’s a beautiful 5-mile walk into town for supplies, or a ride can be arranged through Lopez Island Taxis. 

*Note! If you can not deep water self rescue back into your kayak, canoe, or SUP, it’s best practice to never paddle farther from shore than you can confidently swim back, especially when tidal currents are involved. 

Hi there! I’m Maddy, an independent writer who loves creating trail guides, resources, and writing about the impacts of travel. This means my work, including resources like the one you’re reading right now, are reader-funded! To support my work, consider joining me on Substack.

6) Cypress Island

Cypress Head is one of the most beautiful sea kayaking campsites in the San Juan Islands, with both camping at beach level and camping up on the head itself. Views are beautiful, the landing is nice— all in all Cypress Head simply cannot be beat. Note: there is no water on Cypress Head. Be prepared to hike in and filter (possible, but not fun) or carry in your own water. Pit toilets are provided.

Launching and landing recommended on the north side of the head as the south end dries much farther at lower tides. 

7) Lummi Island

Beautiful Lummi Island is just a hop-skip-and-jump from Bellingham, and can be visited as a day trip, overnight trip, or launching off point for an overnight. The Lummi Island Campground is kayak access only, with a pit toilet, several tent pads, fire grates, no potable water, and a long gear carry up from the beach. There are several raccoon boxes for food storage.

Most of my photos are shot on an iPhone or GoPro, and edited in Lightroom Mobile, a free app. To edit like me, check out my Adventure Preset Pack, a set of nine photo filters I’ve spent the past few years developing to bring your phone photos to the next level in just one click!

Currents can be moderate around Lummi Island. Consult a tide and current table when planning your trip. 

Looking for the best hiking trails in the San Juan Islands? Read this article for the best day hiking trails in the San Juan Islands!

8) Sucia Island: most unique spot to kayak in the San Juan Islands

Sucia Island is easily one of the most beautiful paddling destinations in the world, with remote beaches, sea caves, and incredible sea life! My adventure to Sucia Island was probably the most beautiful place I paddled all summer– you can read more about sea kayaking to Sucia Island here.

The best campsites in the San Juan Islands are in Sucia Islands Fox Cove!

9) Larrabee State Park

Looking for a taste of the San Juan Islands without ever leaving the mainland? Visit Larrabee State Park just south of Bellingham for excellent car camping with showers, access to hiking trails, overlooks, a sunset-facing beach with views of the San Juan Islands, and a kayak launch point. 

Bonus: Kayak through the Bioluminescence of the San Juan Islands!

Did you know the San Juan Islands are home to bioluminescence? Bioluminescence, perhaps most commonly seen by humans in fireflies, is produced in the water off the San Juan Islands by dinoflagellates, a type of marine plankton. When moved, either by the ocean itself, fish, a kayak paddle, or a human walking through, this marine plankton emits a blue-white light that often looks as though the ocean is sparkling. 

Check out this video by Discovery Sea Kayak Tours!

Looking for more on kayaking in the San Juan Islands?

• Read about the Orcas of the Salish Sea
• Check out the Best Things to do in the San Juan Islands
• Learn more about our 12 days in the San Juan Islands, the first of a 70 day expedition on the Salish Sea
• Read about world-class kayaking destinations in the Great Lakes, the area I call home!

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