Things to do / Travel Guide
There is absolutely no shortage of opportunities for kayakers in northwest Washington and the Cascades. With some of the most beautiful water in the world filled with a rich tapestry of aquatic life, there are several coastal and riverfront parks that are bound to pique the interests of those wishing to head out on a kayaking expedition. Most kayaking trips last either a half day or full day and cost about $50-$120 per person.
Kayaking in the Strait of Juan de Fuca
The rocky cliff shoreline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and, in particular, Freshwater Bay, is a favorite among local kayakers. Those who have kayaked this area before have reported seeing whales, seals, otters, and bald eagles.
At the northern end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, right where it runs into the Pacific Ocean, is Neah Bay. This is a great place for kayakers with a love for beauty and scenery.
Coastal Kayaking
Another spot popular for kayaking is the Dungeness Spit National Wildlife Refuge. Kayaking in this coastal area, you'll see the longest natural sand spit in the United States, and quite possibly seals, sea otters, and even bald eagles.
Inland Kayaking
For those wishing to kayak inland, head to Lake Aldwell in the Olympic Mountains. Lake Aldwell is a clean, pristine freshwater lake, and is also the primary nesting ground for local osprey, geese, harlequin ducks, blue heron, and merganser. Kayaking tours are also available around the lake. For those who want to try kayaking out for the first time, perhaps the best place to go is to Lake Union and Lake Washington, near Fremont, just northwest of Seattle. Lake Union is connected to Lake Washington, and both are commonly filled with pleasure boats and boat houses.
Kayaking the San Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands, off the western shores of the region, are popular for paddlers wishing to view wildlife in their natural habitat, as well as whales, dolphins, turtles, sea otters, and sea lions. In this area, paddlers should team up with experienced paddling guides due to the unpredictable winds. Paddling trips depart from Anacortes, out on Fildago Island, and popular destinations include Burrows Island, (which offers great views of the Olympic Mountains), Cypress Island, (which is home to an Orca biological reserve), and San Juan Island itself.
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