Washington State (San Juan Islands) Kayak with Orcas and more!

This event has closed, but we may need someone to fill a spot in an emergency. Please sign up for the waitlist and be ready to make a full payment. Only sign up for this if you are fully invested in attending.  

My name is Ryan, and I am assembling this trip to San Juan Island, Washington USA. Years back, I spent some time exploring this stretch of Islands, off the beautiful state of Washington, called the San Juans. The San Juans consists of 172 islands but this trip focuses on the island of San Juan.

San Juan Island is the most amazing place I have ever seen in all my travels. Up on arrival you will be welcomed by way of rustic Friday Harbor. At some point we should experiance the classic beauty of Roach Harbor, the solitude of the islands 2 light houses, the vast open harshness of American Camp, the proper ease of English Camp and the drastic landscape that make this island amazing.

In all my adventures, I never had the chance to take the multi-day kayak tour or sail the islands. So, the sailing will have to wait but it is about time to take the kayak tour and maybe show some friends this hidden gem.

AUG 2: Arrive in Seattle/Tacoma Airport. *** no meals provided this day ***

         -Must meet at the bus departure area no later than 12:30pm-

         !!!I can not stress enough about not being late!!!  

       *** See Directions below ***

AUG 3: Wake up at 5 am *** All meals provided ***  

        After breakfast we will assemble group at Discovery Sea Kayaks office to start at

        7 am kayaking / camping trip

AUG 4: Continue kayaking / camping trip *** All meals provided ***

AUG 5: Continue kayaking / camping trip *** Breakfast and Lunch provided ***

             At the end of the trip we will go back to the Wayfarer's Rest

AUG 6: Early breakfast then pick up bikes and gear. *** Breakfast Provided ***

          Start a moderate pace round trip ride to Roach Harbor, and English camp 

                   (This will be in the neighborhood of 22 miles. Helmets Required)

AUG 7: Early breakfast and bike *** Breakfast Provided ***

           Moderate pace round trip to False Bay, San Juan Island National Historical park,

           Lime Kiln Point State park.    (This will be in the neighborhood of 30 miles)

AUG 8: Return bikes, Straighten the Wayfarers Rest

-The group travel rate on the bus requires us to travel together-

We depart the island at 10:30 am

.

Arrive SEA/TAC airport

Go to Ground Transportation / Bus Departure area

Take Bellair Charters "Airporter" bus from Seattle to Anacortes Ferry Terminal

Take Ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor

Walk 1/4 mile to Wayfarer's Rest

**** Wayfarer's will be the official meeting point for everyone in the group ******

A meeting date will be sent out via email before the trip. You can expect the email before June, and you can expect the meeting to take place in July. The Trip Leader will discuss details, the plan, hand out maps, and answer any questions. 

Keep in mind, this area has a totally different climate than Seattle, we will be in the Olympic Rain Shadow from Mount Olympus. The weather should be wonderful for this time of year!

We will keep to a base schedule for starting the day, and we will have a plan. Breakfasts are planned into the trip to allow a quick morning start. Please be flexible as the days' plan may change as the trip progresses.

A good example would be once we are at American Camp (nat. park) we may decide to spend much of the day there. Weather may also alter our route to a beautiful forest for a wet weather hike. This island is large but easy to explore, so feel free to break up into smaller groups. If you plan to explore on your own; stick to the buddy system and bring a map.

I will need volunteers with some things on this trip, but no further discount will be offered.

For our breakfasts at the Waferer's Rest, we will pick up the goodies from Cafe Demeter. This will be an assortment of baked goods and quiche. Also, any remaining funds will be used towards a group meal or donated to the AOC.

Our goal is to see the Orcas (Killer Whales) but these are wild creatures so no promises! We should see many Seals, some Bald Eagles, Giant Star Fish and other wildlife. You may even catch a glimpse of the islands Llama or Alpaca population!

Airfare is not included

*********************** COUPLES **********************

IF YOU ARE A COUPLE, 

who will share a bed, please let the trip leader know so more people may attend this trip.

Please keep all questions routed through the Trip Leader, so we may keep the outfitter and others from answering the same questions repeatedly.

Referances:

The Islands:

http://www.visitsanjuan s.com/

Transportation:

http://www.islandbicyc les.com/

http://www.airporte r.com/shuttle/

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/vesselwatch/Te rminalDetail.aspx?terminalid=1

Kayaking / Camping:

http://www.discoveryseakayak.com/kayak-trips/multi- day-trips/islands-explorer-tour-3-days

http://www.disco veryseakayak.com/faq

Hostal / Very nice house

http://www.hostelssanj uan.com/

You are expected to be physically fit for this trip!!!

Think about doing arm workouts and bike rides up to September!

(no pretrip events will be required but do what you need to be ready)

Some meals are not included in this trip. For these meals each person will be on your own to visit local restaurants, pubs, or cook. We will discuss options, but you must have funds to pay for these meals. 

We are going to represent the AOC well in hopes to negotiate a lower price in the future! This will be a very fun trip, and we may over do it in the fun department. But, let's try to keep some sense about us!

P.S. some may seek out the clothing optional hot tubs on the island... Just sayin'...

4 Nights at the Wayfarrer's Rest (18 singles or up to 24 with doubles)

3 Days Kayaking at the San Juan Islands (gear and guides included)

2 Nights camping (gear, sleeping bags included)

2 Days bike rental

1 round trip ferry ticket

1 round trip buss pass

Day 2 breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 breakfast and lunch

Day 5 breakfast

Day 6 breakfast

AS STATED ABOVE

AIRFARE IS NOT INCLUDED

Payment

Payment may be made via PayPal or PC Banking. It is your responsibility to get the deposit payment and/or balance payment to the AOC by the due dates. Allow two days processing for PayPal and PC Banking.

No partial payment for partial attendance.

In order to fulfill attendance requirements a payment does not reflect your guaranteed attendance for this event and a full refund may be issued by Jan 15th. A refund will be issued in order from last sign up to first as required to fulfill the events attendance requirements.

Participant:

Will pay $916 in full within 7 days of signing up and no later than Jan 10th 2014.*

 *Failuer to comply with payment rules will result in removal from the event

Wait List Individuals

You will be contacted in order by phone and given the above said deadlines. If past the deadlines you will have 1 day to pay in full. No answer by phone will be considered a pass, and a message will be left. You may return the phone call to see if a spot is still available.

Cancellation

If you cancel on or before Jan 10th 2014, your paid funds are refundable less a $37 AOC administrative fee, but only if someone from the wait list replaces you and pays in full.

If you cancel after Jan 10th 2014, your paid funds are refundable less a $37 AOC administrative fee and possibly Paypal fees, but only if someone from the wait list replaces you and pays in full. (This refund depends on the way the transaction is handled)

If the event is canceled due to a paid stakeholder issue on or before Jan 15th 2014 a full refund of monies paid will be issued with no administrative fees subtracted. (ie. Outfitter, Hostel)

If the minimum 18 people are not acquired between Jan 10th and Jan 13th 2014 the trip leader will consult the group to either adjust the cost or cancel the trip. Cancellation will occur if attendance or costs are still in question by Jan 13th 2014. A full refund of monies paid will be issued in this instance with no administrative fees subtracted. However, after Jan 10th 2014 if 18 people are attending and have paid for the trip all will be considered locked in. (This time period is for administrative issues to allow time for the trip leader to work with individuals on the wait list)

We must have full attendance to keep costs low as the Wayferer's Rest is a flat rate to rent the property. Rooms may not be equal in value, and no compensation will be offered for this situation. Please come willing to adapt, but everyone will have a bed at this beautiful Hostel.

UPDATE: (12-23-13)
It will now be assumed that the group will not rent out the whole hostle. The group will most likely only share space with fellow AOCers, but that may not be the case. Everyone will have a bed in this nice home type hostle.

Event is rain or shine however the trip leader may cancel if extreme weather conditions are forecast.

A minimum of 18 people will be required for this event.

So, tell your friends!!!!