San Juan Islands: Sea Kayak Tour to Burrows Island

Summary

Kayak past lighthouses & seals near Anacortes with easy access

You’ll paddle straight from Anacortes into Burrows Bay with a local guide—no ferry needed—and circle Burrows Island past its historic lighthouse. Expect close-up seal encounters, stories about old island life, and quiet moments drifting under open sky. All kayaking gear is included so you can just show up ready for salt air and maybe some surprise wildlife.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sea kayak tour around Burrows Island

• Receive brief kayaking lesson
• Depart from custom-built kayak docks
• Paddle out into Burrows Bay
• Observe resident seals in marina
• Circumnavigate Burrows Island
• View Burrows Island Lighthouse and Rosario Strait
• Spot harbor seals and seal pups
• Watch for harbor porpoise in narrow passages
• Look out for orca whale families
• Enjoy views of Olympic Mountains and San Juan Islands

Top questions

Do I need to take a ferry to join this kayak tour?

No, you can drive directly to Anacortes on Fidalgo Island without taking a ferry.

How long does the San Juan Islands sea kayak tour last?

The tour lasts about 3 hours on the water.

Is kayaking experience required?

No previous experience is needed; guides provide a lesson before departure.

Are single kayaks available?

Yes, single kayaks are available for an extra $25 per person if requested in advance.

What wildlife might I see during the tour?

You may see harbor seals, porpoises, seabirds, and sometimes orca whales near Burrows Island.

Is there an age limit for participants?

Participants under 18 must be with a guardian; call if you have children under 6 years old.

Where does the kayak tour start?

The tour starts at custom-built docks in Anacortes on Fidalgo Island.

Is all equipment provided?

Yes, all sea kayaking equipment and safety gear are included in your booking.

What’s included

Your day includes all sea kayaking equipment—kayaks, paddles, life jackets—and guidance from professionally trained staff who’ll handle safety details while sharing stories along the way. There’s no need for ferries or shuttles; just drive up to Anacortes and your adventure begins right at their dock.

What’s the experience like?

We slid our kayaks off the dock in Anacortes before I’d even finished my coffee. No ferries, no crowds—just a quick drive and suddenly we were gliding into Burrows Bay, salt air sharp and a little chilly on my face. Our guide, Jamie, grinned as she handed out paddles and pointed out the first harbor seal poking its head up right by the marina. I remember thinking, “Already?” It felt like we’d barely left shore.

The water was glassy that morning, but you could hear gulls arguing over something invisible. As we rounded Burrows Island, Jamie slowed us down near the lighthouse—she told us about shipwrecks and old keepers who used to live out here. The paint on the lighthouse looked faded against all that gray-green sea. We drifted for a minute, just listening to nothing but water slapping hulls and someone’s paddle knocking by accident (me—oops). Seals lounged on rocks nearby; one yawned so wide it looked almost human.

I didn’t expect to feel so far away from everything after such a short drive from Seattle. The San Juan Islands always sounded remote in my head, but here you just park, meet your guide, and paddle straight out—no ferry lines or waiting around. We circled back through a narrow passage between Burrows and Allan Island where Jamie whispered for us to watch for porpoises (I saw one fin—maybe two?). She laughed when I tried to pronounce “Salish Sea” properly; I’m still not sure I got it right.

By the time we pulled back in, my arms were tired in that good way. Salt stuck to my lips and there was this weird silence in my head—the kind you only get after being out on open water for hours. If you’re looking for a day trip from Anacortes that actually gets you into the wild parts of the San Juans without all the hassle, this sea kayak tour is it. I still think about those sleepy seals sometimes.