I’ve never been kayaking. I really want to go - but around my home in Colorado the only opportunities are in the rivers…which - in my opinion - are best navigated in a very large rubber raft with lots of cushion. I’m not sure it’s safe to be kayaking around these rocks and fast water through-fares.

I was looking at some information on sea kayaking..thinking this would be a better introduction to kayaking - calm coastal waters and bays…marine wildlife - no rocks or class-5 rapids.  It looks like there are a few places that are great choices.  Monterey Bay, Ogunquit Maine, or the San Juan Islands in Washington.  I dug deeper into the San Juan Islands idea, as the pacific northwest is my favorite place to vacation.  I found a ton of information and opportunities for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.

The one drawback to this plan seems to be the presence of Orcas…you know…KILLER whales?  Could it be safe to float around in a tiny tiny boat when one could just swallow the whole shebang?  After much web-surfing..I found no accounts of tourists being killed by whales while kayaking.  It must be pretty safe.

There are quite a few online resources for the San Juan Island kayaker - and outfitters who cater to the tourist-types.  GoNorthwest has a pretty information-rich section and there are some outfitters with really great websites that list trips, times, dates & rates.  Check out San Juan Kayak Expeditions, Outdoor Odysseys, or Discovery Sea Kayaks.  Some operators offer day trips and some offer island exploration tours that range from 2  to 4-day adventures.  Prices seem to vary greatly - along with inclusions in each package.

I was advised to look for the Whal Watch Operators Association Northwest logo on any operator’s website.  This means the operator has agreed to adhere to proper wildlife viewing standards, provide trained naturalists, and promote responsible stewardship of the whale populations in the San Juan Islands.

While you’re in the area - lodging options are varied.  If you’re looking for deals try Friday Harbor and the Bird Rock Hotel.  They offer San Juan Island getaways packages that include kayaking, room & even a dining credit.  Check their website for details.  If you’d like something a bit more private - try a vacation rental from Windemere San Juan Island.

It’s a given you’re going to have an amazing time in the San Juans - and it looks like kayaking is the perfect way to experience the rich history, calm waters, dark forests and abundant wildlife.

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Only by ferry or seaplane can you access the beautiful San Juan Islands and that is what makes this destination so special and pristine. The San Juan Islands are made up of Lopez, Orcas, Shaw and San Juan Island. Orcas Island to many is home to the mighty killer whale and one can watch them cruise the shoreline either by sea kayak and sometimes from land. Lopez Island is the most rural of the three major islands and offers the visitor frequent viewings of bald eagles, otters, seals and the orca whale. Shaw Island is definitely the quietest of all the islands offering the visitor a primitive environment where one can totally detach from reality and let go.

San Juan Island is one of the more popular islands in that the whale watching is a usual event and therefore attracts droves of visitors every year. The ferry will stop at Friday Harbor where one can obtain San Juan Island special lodging packages and take advantage of the walk-friendly town. Dining in Friday Harbor is a pleasurable experience with local cuisine and fresh seafood which always pairs well with local wine. Art galleries and shops adorn the harbor streets as well as rental outfitters waiting to guide you to their mecca of wildlife. Sea kayaking, birding, hiking, biking, fishing, beach-combing and scuba diving can all be done here. San Juan Island is home to the Whale Museum which educates visitors on the orca whale of which there are approximately 90 in the local waters.

With mountains flowing into the sea a visit to the San Juan Islands can be the highlight of your year’s travels.

Ocean Shores, Washington began as a highly touted real estate development, but over the years it has settled into its present incarnation as a fine family resort town on the central coast of Washington State.

The 6,000 acre peninsula is just 75 miles west of the state capitol of Olympia and close enough to Seattle (132 miles) and Portland (165 miles) to draw weekend visitors year ’round. In fact, it’s Washington’s most visited seaside destination, with mile after mile of wide, sandy beaches completely open to the public.

Unfortunately, the water’s really too cold for swimming and the riptides are legendary, as are the 12 foot tidal surges that typically sweep the shore in July and December. The dramatic seascape is incredible, particularly during winter storms and, even though swimming is out, beachcombing is most definitely in at any time of the year. Check the beach our for yourself with the Ocean Shores WebCam

With over 20 miles of freshwater lakes interconnected by canals and several Washington State Parks nearby, the area is a haven for wildlife watchers, boaters and fisherfolk.

Ocean Shore’s other claim to fame are the Vegas-style casinos found there, compliments of the northwest Indian tribes indigenous to the area. One favorite vacation spot, run by the Quinault Nation, offers not just another casino, but a full-fledged Ocean Shores hotel with a family-friendly resort atmosphere, spa, several dining options and some of the best live entertainment offered in western Washington.

Olympic National Park is just a day trip away, as well, making Ocean Shores the ideal headquarters for your road trip to the Pacific Northwest.