Discovery Sea Kayaks
Discovery Sea Kayaks
5
Gear RentalsHiking & Camping ToursKayaking & CanoeingDay Trips
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Full view
About
In the heart of downtown Friday Harbor, we offer a range of San Juan Kayak Tours and Bike Rentals. Kayak Tours range from a half-day, Bioluminescence Kayak Tours to multiple days out camping on the outer islands. Our signature Full Day, Half Day and Sunset Kayak Tours travel routes best to encounter whales and marine wildlife. Our multi-day kayak tours range from 2 to 5 days with the 3-day kayak tour being our most popular. We provide all the equipment and cook every meal with fresh locally sourced foods. We are proud to employ a small group of professional guides that are extremely skilled kayakers and trained naturalists. Safety, Education, and Adventure are ensured with our amazing team of guides. We operate some of the smallest group sizes to ensure each kayak tour provides a personal experience. Our downtown location is the perfect starting point for exploring the island by bike. We have the largest electric bike rental fleet on the island and quality traditional bikes as well.
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Discovery Sea Kayaks
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
625 reviews
Excellent
591
Very good
26
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Adventure Mouse
3 contributions
Jul 2020
My bf and I went on the bioluminescence kayak tour (July 2020) and it was amazing. Its an experience of a lifetime, and the professionalism of the staff was amazing. Kelly, our tour guide, was amazing. She explained so much to us, gently reminded the rowdy teenagers to quiet down (thank you!), and kept us safe. Her instructions were clear and easy to follow, and she did a fantastic job of telling us about the area, the bio-luminescence effect, animals we might hear or sea in the area and more. I've recommended this tour and this company probably a half dozen times in the past week. If you want a trip that is amazing, magical and comfortable book here!
COVID specific: protocols were followed, masks observed actually on the entire island but definitely by staff. Part of the reason I've recommended it so often to people because its something amazing you can do that is low risk for COVID
COVID specific: protocols were followed, masks observed actually on the entire island but definitely by staff. Part of the reason I've recommended it so often to people because its something amazing you can do that is low risk for COVID
Written August 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks again for joining us and taking time to leave us reviews. We really appreciate it.
Written August 6, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CharBEGood
Bremerton, WA1 contribution
Aug 2020
Without a doubt this experience is a must. Kelly, our guide for the evening, is so knowledgeable of the area and the organism, and her competency as a guide is exemplary. Kayaking in the dark is fun. The water is cold and the air a little crisp. It is quiet. You feel connected to the nature around you. And then you start to see it. Glimpses of sparkles that insist you question what you think you see. So you keep paddling and looking and soon the glimpses become obvious: There is something magical happening. Peace and joy overcome you. I don’t feel capable of describing what I saw, and it wouldn’t do it justice anyway, but the words I wrote in my journal were: magical, Moana, lightening, fireworks, surreal. As the paddle passes through the water and engages with the noctiluca it transforms that expression of energy into brilliant luminescence. My favorite sea creature is the jellyfish. During this excursion I was able to witness an illuminated jelly! Magical and sentimentally exhilarating. 10/10
Truly, for a whole hour I was so enamored with the beauty of God’s creation I legitimately forgot about covid. Which speaking of, in order to facilitate this trip the guides must work well past midnight to secure and sanitize all gear. Their dedication and heart make the moments possible. Thank you discovery sea kayaking and especially Kelly.
This truly is a beginner safe activity. The kayaks themselves are VERY easy to maneuver and the paddle pace is slow. The most challenging part for someone not in great physical shape would be getting in and out of the kayak.
Truly, for a whole hour I was so enamored with the beauty of God’s creation I legitimately forgot about covid. Which speaking of, in order to facilitate this trip the guides must work well past midnight to secure and sanitize all gear. Their dedication and heart make the moments possible. Thank you discovery sea kayaking and especially Kelly.
This truly is a beginner safe activity. The kayaks themselves are VERY easy to maneuver and the paddle pace is slow. The most challenging part for someone not in great physical shape would be getting in and out of the kayak.
Written August 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We really appreciate you sharing the great experience you had on the Bioluminescence Kayak Tour. I hope you can join us again in the future.
Written August 27, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
George A
Burlingame, California, United States28 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
We very much enjoyed an afternoon of west side kayaking with Chad as our guide. Thumbs up for setting us up with high-end kayaks that were wonderfully easy to steer and blessed with waterproof aprons that kept our legs dry.
Chad was unfailingly genial and very knowledgeable about the area. He coached us well at the beginning and shared a lot of engaging stories during our time on the water. He set a tempo that worked well for everyone, getting us in sync very effortlessly.
Great value for the money.
Chad was unfailingly genial and very knowledgeable about the area. He coached us well at the beginning and shared a lot of engaging stories during our time on the water. He set a tempo that worked well for everyone, getting us in sync very effortlessly.
Great value for the money.
Written July 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the stellar review. Chad has developed a great set of coaching skills for paddlers and really loves to share his knowledge about the area. We look forward to your next visit!
Written July 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
anne b
Arlington, WA181 contributions
Sep 2020 • Family
I am not a kayak person. I went on this one day trip with my teenage daughter. We had a blast. Our tour guide is Cameron, a young man who is full of spirit and stories. He knows everything from history to marine biology. It was a great time kayaking in the Pacific Northwest. The only bad thing is that we didn’t see any whale 😅😅 just out of luck. Services provided by Discovery Sea Kayak is at the exceptional level that I felt as if we were VIP. They are great people.
Written September 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the review and all the kind words about your experience with us. We really appreciate you coming out to the island this summer and choosing to paddle with Discovery.
Written September 7, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tom M
Royal Oak, MI3 contributions
Sep 2021
This trip was incredible. I was admittedly a little nervous about sea kayaking when we started. The folks at Discovery provided great gear for the water and camp. Rick, our guide, is knowledgeable about the islands, the water, the tides and currents, and safety. We both felt comfortable about the course we took and his decisions on the water, even when it got a little choppy.
The camping gear was sufficient and on-par with what we have for personal use. The meals and wine pairings prepared by Rick tasted as good as anything you'd find in a restaurant. He picked a great menu, had plenty of snacks for us. Having something more than standard camp food at the end of the day was something to look forward to after hours of paddling.
The camping gear was sufficient and on-par with what we have for personal use. The meals and wine pairings prepared by Rick tasted as good as anything you'd find in a restaurant. He picked a great menu, had plenty of snacks for us. Having something more than standard camp food at the end of the day was something to look forward to after hours of paddling.
Written September 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom,
Thank you for taking a moment to leave a review of your 3 Day Kayak Tour with Rick. Rick is a great kayak guide and you can't find a better camp chef. Happy that you enjoyed is work and you had a great trip. Thanks again for paddling with us.
Written September 14, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lauren S
1 contribution
Jul 2020
We had such a great experience on our kayak tour with our tour guide, Chad. It was only my sister and I and they made the tour happen for us despite it being only us. He entertained us with hilarious stories and impressed us with his knowledge of the San Juan Islands. He also catered the tour to us by letting us decide what we wanted to do. We loved every second!
Written July 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the review and all the great comments on Chad. Happy you were able to join us and get out and explore the San Juan's with us.
Written July 22, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Christine T
Thornton, CO203 contributions
Jun 2021
This was a mother-daughter adventure. We chose the 3 day trip and spent two nights on Jones Island.
Our guide was Avery, an enthusiastic young man that had endless energy! Besides guiding our trip he was also the chef for all meals. He provided amazing food that included Pad Thai one night!
On day two our group decided to hike Jones Island. Avery is well educated on nature and that made it a very interesting tour.
The pads that are provided for sleeping on the ground provided a good cushion from the hard ground. This was the most comfortable experience I have had sleeping on the ground.
Sea kayaking is one of the tougher adventures we have done. Avery was always alert to the environment and changing current to provide the best route for paddling. The three day adventure was plenty for us!
Our guide was Avery, an enthusiastic young man that had endless energy! Besides guiding our trip he was also the chef for all meals. He provided amazing food that included Pad Thai one night!
On day two our group decided to hike Jones Island. Avery is well educated on nature and that made it a very interesting tour.
The pads that are provided for sleeping on the ground provided a good cushion from the hard ground. This was the most comfortable experience I have had sleeping on the ground.
Sea kayaking is one of the tougher adventures we have done. Avery was always alert to the environment and changing current to provide the best route for paddling. The three day adventure was plenty for us!
Written June 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What a great adventure! Avery does an amazing job when he is out there. He is tuned in to every detail. Thanks for taking a moment to share your experience with us. If you make it back to the island and want another kayak adventure, give us a call.
Written June 16, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
George C
Highland, UT25 contributions
Jul 2020
Everything about this was top-notch. The equipment, the setting, the extraordinary scenery.
Of highest praise, however, was our guide, Cameron. He was amazing! He was helpful, knowledgeable, able to convey difficult topics (such as using a paddle correctly), and entertaining! His breadth of knowledge, especially about that world around the San Juans was vast. And he was able to convey that quite well!
Highest marks to both Discovery and Cameron!!!
Of highest praise, however, was our guide, Cameron. He was amazing! He was helpful, knowledgeable, able to convey difficult topics (such as using a paddle correctly), and entertaining! His breadth of knowledge, especially about that world around the San Juans was vast. And he was able to convey that quite well!
Highest marks to both Discovery and Cameron!!!
Written July 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your experience. We strive to provide an excellent experience and you are correct that the guide makes up a huge part of that experience. I am always happy to get such great feedback on staff. Cameron has been a highly enthusiastic part of the team and I will pass along your comments. Thanks again for paddling with us and for visiting us on San Juan Island.
Written August 1, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Laura E
3 contributions
Jul 2022
Whoa yes! Do it! The closer we got to our launch date, the more nervous I became about kayaking in open ocean with large mammals. But our crew was so amazing, that fear dissipated the instant we hit the water. My son said, "it was as if we were kayaking in a swimming pool it felt so safe". Rick was a wonderful guide, a great chef, sommelier (oh yes, there was wine), and psychologist for my daughter when she got the jitters. It brings tears to my eyes what we all accomplished on that journey. My 19-year-old said, "I have never felt so alive. I have seen color hues I have never seen before; heard sounds I have never heard before..." He cancelled facebook, instagram and twitter as soon as we got back to "civilization". And he vowed to live the rest of his life in this kind of richness. DO IT!!!!!
Big thanks to Ellie and Carly too - who coaxed Tia through the deep waters by making an extended raft island around her and talking through the whole experience with her. You need to know that what you do is remarkably life changing y'all! My heart is full.
Big thanks to Ellie and Carly too - who coaxed Tia through the deep waters by making an extended raft island around her and talking through the whole experience with her. You need to know that what you do is remarkably life changing y'all! My heart is full.
Written July 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura, Thank you for sharing your experience and how impactful getting outside can be. Working in the outdoor industry it is one of the main goals is to help people connect and reconnect to nature and we really appreciate you letting us know that we hit the mark. Rick does a great job out there and being a guide is a multifaceted job. Carrley and Ellie are great and connect well with everyone. They are both on their way to their own leadership roles on our multi-day kayak tours. Thanks for paddling with us and for sharing.
Written July 17, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Damien P
Seattle, WA64 contributions
Jul 2020
We had an excellent full day kayak tour with our guide, Avery. He was very knowledgeable about the the sights and history of San Juan Island. He was also very helpful when it came to navigating the currents and handling the kayaks. The scenery was beautiful with Lime Kiln Point and the Olympic Mountains in the background. We were able to move at a comfortable pace for the whole group. Highly recommend.
Written July 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for giving Avery a nice shoutout and leaving us a review. Avery is a great guide to spend the day on the water with. We appreciate you coming out to the islands to visit.
Written July 28, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Any advise on what to wear/bring for the 3 day kayak excursion?
Written June 8, 2020
Sure, we recommend having good non cotton layers, short and long sleeves. A couple of sets is good. Any type of lightweight hiking pant with a base layer works well. While on the water we ask you to have a pair of shoes that can get wet and a different set of shoes for camp. Depending on what month, but a jacket is nice to have and a light beanie. For our tours we provide all the camping equipment so there is no need to travel with camping gear. If you choose to do please let us know in advance.
We have a fairly comprehensive list on our 3 day web page on what to pack that can help with more details. When you reserve you will also get a pack list in your confirmation email.
Written June 8, 2020
Is end of June a good month to see the bioluminescence?
Written June 13, 2019
The end of June is a great time. We had tours at the end of May this season that were spectacular. We expect the end of June to be even better.
Written June 14, 2019
Can someone tell me about the bike routes with time allotments, specifically using the electric assisted bikes?
Written August 30, 2018
We had a fun ride from Friday Harbor to Roche Harbor—road was wide enough to share with cars, and the e-assist made the hills very manageable. Took 1.5 hours to get to Roche Harbor (we were pedaling at a very leisurely pace) and 1 hour to return. Wish we had hiked some of the paths at Roche Harbor, but we did have time for a great lunch outdoors at the main restaurant.
Written August 31, 2018
Jason G
Friday Harbor, Washington
We have a minimum age of 12 years old for the tour. But we have found the best age is early teens and up. Given how late the tour operates younger paddler tend to fade pretty fast.
Written June 6, 2016
I have kayaked in the past & had some back issues. Do your kayaks have seats with back support?
Written September 7, 2015
Jason G
Friday Harbor, Washington
The kayaks we use are Current Design Libra XT tandem kayaks. The seats do have back support, but I would not say that have anymore support than any other tandem kayak in its class. They are comfortable kayaks, but back issues can be very specific to each individual. I would take a look at the Current Design Kayaks website and see what it looks like.
Written September 7, 2015
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