Join a Kayak Quest for Whales Today!
Home » About Us » Reviews

Why Choose Sea Quest

Sea Quest Kayak Tour Reviews

Happy guests share their kayak trip reviews and stories. Guest reviews from satisfied participants of sea kayak tours and adventures.

best kayak tours san juan island Sea Quest Kayak Tours

Guest Reviews

Our guests comments and opinions are extremely important to us. Each guest is provided an evaluation form at the end of their kayak trip so they may contribute their suggestions and ideas. These kayak trip reviews have led to most of the improvements we have made to our kayak tours over the years. We want to hear from you!

orcasbald eaglesmarine lifeday tripwildlifejellyfisheducationalkelpporpoiseswhale watchingkidsadventurecamping
Bing B. Avatar
Bing B.
San Francisco, CA
5 star rating
3/23/2023 - Yelp
Ben the owner and our guide was very helpful and patience in helping us with our kayaking needs. Understand and takes suggestions well. Highly recommended to us... read more
media thumbnail 0media thumbnail 1media thumbnail 2
Rae B. Avatar
Rae B.
Portland, OR
5 star rating
3/20/2023 - Yelp
Ben took us out today pre season on a multi-generational family tour with young children. He was extremely professional and ensured our safety while also maximi... read more
L4663YGchristianh Avatar
L4663YGchristianh
5 star rating
12/01/2022 - TripAdvisor
Great tour of a beautiful place. Despite being the beginning of winter, we had a great time with a great guide. Ben was super helpful and friendly, and the en... read more
Karen G. Avatar
Karen G.
10/30/2022 - Google
Our family had a great experience kayaking with Sea Quest. Our kids are young, 11, 9 and 5. We did 2 3-person kayaks and it was perfect. We saw lots of wild lif... read more
Carrie G. Avatar
Carrie G.
9/30/2022 - Google
What a fun day! Saw lots of sea lions and eagles. Our guide Rayben, was awesome he showed us sea kelp and other interesting things out on the water.Not only did... read more
Sean P. Avatar
Sean P.
9/30/2022 - Google
Had the best time cruising the water with Ben. Felt very safe out there on the water with him. Very professional and very helpful. Did the Bioluminescence your ... read more
Megan S. Avatar
Megan S.
9/30/2022 - Google
My husband and I had an absolutly magical time on the bioluminescent kayak tour! It was so much more than we could have hoped. The glowing organisms in the wate... read more
Ang G. Avatar
Ang G.
9/30/2022 - Google
I had never been kayaking before in my life and this was my first experience! The bioluminescence night tour was amazing! Our guide Ben was awesome and fun!! He... read more
b m. Avatar
b m.
9/30/2022 - Google
This was an incredible experience! We did the full day tour with the hope of seeing some interesting wildlife. While we didn’t see Orcas, we did see seals (lots... read more
Brian L. Avatar
Brian L.
9/30/2022 - Google
We had a wonderful time with SeaQuest! We called last minute to book a tour and Ben was very accommodating and made it work with our schedule. We went on an ama... read more
Sam M. Avatar
Sam M.
9/30/2022 - Google
Had a great time with Ben
Charles D. Avatar
Charles D.
9/30/2022 - Google
We just completed a 3 days trip with Sea Quest. Ben (owner) and Sam (our guide) were super friendly and very helpful. We loved the campground on Turn island anf... read more
Katy L. Avatar
Katy L.
9/30/2022 - Google
This company is a hidden gem. Ben was a great leader, who allowed us to really explore and enjoy the day. When the time needed to change, got a personal call ... read more
Caleb B. Avatar
Caleb B.
Kailua-Kona, HI
5 star rating
9/14/2022 - Yelp
Fantastic tours and great guides. I had the time of my life with Sea Quest Kayak Tours!
Frank G. Avatar
Frank G.
CA, CA
5 star rating
9/14/2022 - Yelp
Had a great time with Ben, nice equipment and very professional. A lot more stable in sea kayaks than you'd think, and the sea was calm.
Savvykayak Avatar
Savvykayak
5 star rating
9/01/2022 - TripAdvisor
What an adventure!!!! Thank you SeaQuest for a great adventure, attentiveness toward special dietary needs, and the ability to be flexible with the schedule. Be... read more
Dan M. Avatar
Dan M.
Seattle, United States
5 star rating
9/01/2022 - TripAdvisor
Ben rented us everything we needed for an unforgettable trip to Stuart Island and arranged for us to pick up and drop off earlier than they were normally staffe... read more
media thumbnail 0media thumbnail 1media thumbnail 2media thumbnail 3
Tami G. Avatar
Tami G.
8/30/2022 - Google
Boom with Sea Quest! We had an amazing sunset kayaking adventure 8/18/22. Ben and Isabella were great! (Isabella was in training but she could have handled our ... read more
Eric K. Avatar
Eric K.
8/30/2022 - Google
Fantastic experience! Knowledgeable and informative guide. We did a half day kayak trip... we didn't see whales, but saw seals, a bald eagle, and plenty of othe... read more
Emily Y. Avatar
Emily Y.
8/30/2022 - Google
We rented kayaks from Sea Quest to do a personal trip around the islands. The gear they rent is top of the line. Ben gave us great advice and taught us how to... read more
Liz S. Avatar
Liz S.
Bend, OR
5 star rating
8/27/2022 - Yelp
Our outfitter was Kaleb. We had a really great time during our 6 hour kayaking expedition! It really took us out physically, more than we expected but we were s... read more
media thumbnail 0
Kaleb H. Avatar
Kaleb H.
5 star rating
8/24/2022 - TripAdvisor
My kayak tour was so much fun! The guide was knowledgeable and we saw many seals, bald eagles, and fish jumping out of the water. The kayak was comfortable and ... read more
408tamig Avatar
408tamig
La Salle, Colorado
5 star rating
8/19/2022 - TripAdvisor
We enjoyed the sunrise kayaking excursion tonight, 10/10 would recommend! We saw seals ( who swam underneath our kayak!) jellyfish, eagles and endless amounts o... read more
media thumbnail 0media thumbnail 1
Lynel B. Avatar
Lynel B.
Vista, CA
5 star rating
8/19/2022 - Yelp
Epic trip in every way! Ben the owner helped make our kayak camping dreams come true creating a last minute trip for us. When I asked if there was any way we co... read more
enk6151 Avatar
enk6151
5 star rating
8/17/2022 - TripAdvisor
Really fun kayaking experience. Did the morning 3 hour tour and saw otters, seals, and a bald eagle!
G4150TFmarkd Avatar
G4150TFmarkd
5 star rating
8/17/2022 - TripAdvisor
I highly recommend Sea Quest for anyone looking to kayak on San Juan Island. The equipment was in excellent condition and Ben went out of his way to deliver the... read more
ekneifel Avatar
ekneifel
Sherwood, Oregon
5 star rating
8/15/2022 - TripAdvisor
Fantastic experience! Sam is a very knowledgeable and informative guide, and super down-to-earth. Half the fun was just getting to know him and learning about t... read more
media thumbnail 0media thumbnail 1media thumbnail 2media thumbnail 3
E2174LPmichelea Avatar
E2174LPmichelea
Springfield, Missouri
5 star rating
8/10/2022 - TripAdvisor
I definitely recommend Sea Quest to guide anyone on a kayaking experience in the San Juans. From sign up to the conclusion of the excursion, communication was w... read more
Hiring S. Avatar
Hiring S.
5 star rating
8/06/2022 - TripAdvisor
Awesome! Non stop fun. What a great way to spend an afternoon on the water. The guides really helped me feel comfortable in the kayaks and the whole day was one... read more
media thumbnail 0media thumbnail 1media thumbnail 2media thumbnail 3
Keren N. Avatar
Keren N.
7/30/2022 - Google
We had a great experience with kayak rentals. They were delivered right where we wanted at the time requested. Ben, who helped us, was easy to work with, frie... read more
Kelly C. Avatar
Kelly C.
7/30/2022 - Google
July 2020 My 16yo daughter and I did a 5 day guided kayak camping expedition with Ben as our guide. It's a bit like like car camping in kayaks so you can bring ... read more
Joseph P. Avatar
Joseph P.
7/30/2022 - Google
Bioluminescence tour with Maxwell had me outside my comfort zone but he did a great job of knowledge and distressing for those anxious
BINITA M. Avatar
BINITA M.
7/30/2022 - Google
Our tour guide was Max and he was amazing. We had such a nice experience. He was so knowledgeable. We had nice conversations with him. He was strong and helpful... read more
Diana F. Avatar
Diana F.
7/30/2022 - Google
My wife and I enjoyed a three day, two night kayaking camping excursion with SeaQuest. We didn't want it to end! It was such an incredible experience to be part... read more
Lizze_Miller Avatar
Lizze_Miller
5 star rating
6/04/2022 - TripAdvisor
We had an incredible time with Sea Quest Expedition. Thank you for making the Bio-luminescence tour available. We'd recommend it to anyone. Note it was much mor... read more
R W. Avatar
R W.
5/30/2022 - Google
We had a really wonderful time doing the evening paddle. There were three of us with three completely different levels of experience and even early in the seaso... read more
Shannon S. Avatar
Shannon S.
5/30/2022 - Google
My daughter and I had a great trip with Caleb May 26. He was very patient and helpful! I highly recommend Sea Quest for your kayaking adventure!
Michaela H. Avatar
Michaela H.
5/30/2022 - Google
We had a great tour with Ben! He made everyone feel capable and comfortable. Ben was knowledgeable and made the kayak trip so fun.
John K. Avatar
John K.
12/30/2021 - Google
Fantastic trip! Our guide Ben was super knowledgeable, friendly, and a hell of a cook. He also seemed the be the guide all the other guides came to if they need... read more
Melia M. Avatar
Melia M.
12/30/2021 - Google
Just got back from our 3 hour tour today and it was great! Our guide Meagan was very knowledgeable about all the wildlife and plantlife during the trip and was ... read more
Anand C. Avatar
Anand C.
12/30/2021 - Google
Good guide and excellent trip.
Lauren G. Avatar
Lauren G.
12/30/2021 - Google
From start to finish, this was an incredible experience! To start, we thought that we may be late because the ferry was running behind schedule. I tend to be a ... read more
Euphoric E. Avatar
Euphoric E.
12/30/2021 - Google
Our guide Ben Henkel was really great. Calm collected guy, made it fun wasn’t to long and boring with the whole intro and safety. Made everything fun. Was defin... read more
Y T. Avatar
Y T.
12/30/2021 - Google
We loved our 6-hour kayak trip yesterday. Ben was our guide and was fantastic. He explained things very well to our group of newbie kayakers and patiently helpe... read more
Jena O. Avatar
Jena O.
12/30/2021 - Google
Our guides were amazing! They were very knowledgeable on the land and history. We enjoyed our 6 hour kayak tour! Disclaimer for future bookers though: it is ext... read more
Lisa N. Avatar
Lisa N.
12/30/2021 - Google
Joe and Satchel, guide in training, were great. Beautiful scenery and an overall great experience. We saw harbor seals performing the tricky yoga half moon posi... read more
Emily E. Avatar
Emily E.
12/30/2021 - Google
I had an amazing time on my sea kayak tour with Jonathon. There was only one other couple there and the intimacy of the tour added so much to the experience! We... read more
Cassandra B. Avatar
Cassandra B.
12/30/2021 - Google
The service was great, & the guides were knowledgeable! Enjoy a once in a life experience on the shores of Friday Harbor
Brynn O. Avatar
Brynn O.
12/30/2021 - Google
This excursion was fantastic. Our tour guide was Gabby, she was so knowledgeable and you could tell the ocean is her passion. Unfortunately no whales but Gabby ... read more
Andrea C. Avatar
Andrea C.
12/30/2021 - Google
What a great experience! We received good insurrections and indications prior to our half day kayaking tour. On the day we found a fun group of 7 people and an ... read more
Rob J. Avatar
Rob J.
12/30/2021 - Google
We had a blast. Six miles of kayaking in 3 hrs with a 30 min lunch break. Our guide, Caitlyn was friendly and professional. Highly recommend.
stevehD7660EL Avatar
stevehD7660EL
5 star rating
12/26/2021 - TripAdvisor
Had a great time with Sea Quest Kayak Tours paddling in the San Juan Islands. We went out for a two day trip with our guide Ben! He was very accommodating and s... read more
martha b. Avatar
martha b.
5 star rating
9/24/2021 - TripAdvisor
We had a wonderful day with Ben, our very capable guide. He pointed out seals, 4 eagles and a sea lion. The route was beautiful with a nice stop for our lunch. ... read more
Patricia C. Avatar
Patricia C.
Albany, CA
5 star rating
9/11/2021 - Yelp
I just got home from a 4-day kayaking trip. Ben was our guide and was fabulous. He was knowledgeable about animals, plants, the area and was patient and kind. ... read more
LucindaTierra Avatar
LucindaTierra
5 star rating
9/05/2021 - TripAdvisor
We chose Sea Quest for a 3 day kayaking expedition in August and the experience exceeded our expectations. In our group, 2 of us were experienced but 2 were br... read more
busy w. Avatar
busy w.
Florence, MA
5 star rating
9/02/2021 - Yelp
We did the day trip, conditions were beautiful, our guide Ilan was caring, knowledgeable, and fun. He provided a thoughtful orientation to kayaking for beginne... read more
MaddashBellingham Avatar
MaddashBellingham
Bellingham
5 star rating
9/02/2021 - TripAdvisor
My husband and I did a day trip in early July with Ben. We joined a group of 7 others all with interesting backgrounds. Ben did a fabulous job of really explai... read more
LindaD928 Avatar
LindaD928
Portland, Oregon
5 star rating
8/30/2021 - TripAdvisor
My husband and I had never been Sea Kayaking before and joined another couple when they told us about it. There are several different organizations that do thi... read more
media thumbnail 0media thumbnail 1media thumbnail 2media thumbnail 3
Erik2469 Avatar
Erik2469
5 star rating
8/30/2021 - TripAdvisor
We were lucky enough to take a trip with Caitlyn! She's was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate and we could not be more thankful. If you love a great time,... read more
shiift3553 Avatar
shiift3553
Seattle, Washington
5 star rating
8/29/2021 - TripAdvisor
Great experience! We went on the tour early in the season (April 1) so we didn’t have anyone else with us and it was essentially a private tour! Ben was a great... read more
  • 1
  • 2
  • 14
  • >

Guest Reviews

We think you’ll find it interesting to read a few comments from veterans of our sea kayak tours. We present several kayak trip reviews on this page that depict our overall commitment to excellence.

I wanted to thank you for an excellent sea kayaking trip. My father and I enjoyed your friendly guides and seeing the killer whales, porpoises, and other creatures at home in the wild. Happy summer. I’m sure I’ll see you again!

Lisa Larrabee, Sacramento, CA

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the guide Chris was not only highly informed, but he was also a wonderful cook and a great kayaking partner. He was able to identify all the breathtaking wildlife we encountered and tell us the stories of their evolution and placement in the cycle of things. He also was able to share a vast understanding of how the land was carved and how nature has miraculously survived the hardships of growth among humankind. Despite being a city girl far removed from my own environment, I felt a comfort and safety, which allowed me the freedom to fully absorb the beauty around me. This can be greatly credited to Chris’ competency as a guide and sensitivity as a person. Reading poetry by the campfire was an added treat. The food was a culinary surprise. I would never have expected such hearty, healthy, and delicious meals from the cargo hold of a sea kayak. I would give the overall quality of my experience the highest rating. I commend you not only for a wonderful vacation but also for the respect and sensitivity your organization holds towards the environment. Thank you again for a beautiful experience.

Julie Anne Fiore, Revere, MA

The travel tips, packing instructions and checklists were very helpful and complete. Even as first-time rookies we felt well prepared! Alexandra is an outstanding guide. The depth and breadth of her knowledge is simply amazing. She taught us about plants, animals, marine life, geography, oceanography, history, and meteorology. She is an effective instructor, a caring over-seer, and a superb cook. And she inspires fun and laughter with her delightful sense of humor. Alex was always responsive to our requests for advice or help with special needs. She skillfully kept our pace challenging yet achievable. She helped us accomplish far more than I ever expected we could. Alex was extremely competent and that inspired our confidence – both in her and in us! Every piece of equipment we used was clean and in excellent condition. All meals were well balanced and delicious – the portions were very generous. Alex superbly prepared everything. Because every facet of the kayak tour was outstanding, the overall quality of my experience was superb! I would recommend Sea Quest Kayak Tours to anyone!

Jane Debelak, Apple Valley, MN

Your checklist was great and my husband was given complete and polite answers both times he phoned with additional questions. We were surprised at how stable our sea kayaks were as it was our first experience with this sport. We stayed perfectly dry too. (Not only in the kayaks but also in our tent when it rained.) The guide was outstanding…full of information about everything we saw, great sense of humor, articulate, and conscientious about everyone’s safety. This was the most fun and exciting experience our family remembers from any vacation. We’ve been raving to everyone about it. We plan to return on a longer trip next year! Our heartfelt thanks to you.

Judy Fessenden, Camarillo, CA

The gift of self is priceless – you have redefined ‘above and beyond’. The kayak trip was more than anyone had dared hope for. You were awesome. PS – See you next year!

Tammy Belcher, Glendale, AZ

I am making a special effort to thank you for your flexibility and the extra time you took to make arrangements for me. All the extra effort paid off in a very enjoyable and rewarding experience. Kevin is a wonderful guide. All aspects of the kayak tour were top-notch. I plan to return to kayak with you again. Thanks for a premier sea kayaking experience. 

J Pizzino MD, Cary, NC

Your kayak guides are beyond words! Their expertise made the trip. What can we say… they were awesome, enthusiastic, and best of all they were just plain fun to be with!

Michelle and Brian Feeley, Philadelphia, PA

The experience was full of incredible sights, great laughs and enough adventure to get the adrenaline flowing – big time!

Bob Barut, Prospect Heights, IL

I would never go kayaking again without a biologist guide. We learned so much which gave us a deep appreciation of the wildlife, the islands, and the sea.

Jim Williams, Tacoma, WA

I don’t have enough praise for your staff, they made the trip! Their joy and enthusiasm, wit and intelligence, and superior people skills surpass any guided tour I’ve taken before – diving trips, Outward Bound, all of them. 

Anne Norton, Wasilla, AK

I found the equipment to be of the highest quality and in very good condition. I don’t believe I have ever been so relaxed and at peace with myself after a vacation. As my boyfriend put it, ‘she didn’t stop smiling from the time we got back until she fell asleep that night’.

Gloria Fields, Beaverton, OR

Being one with nature sea kayaking last week seems almost a dream now that we’re back to our busy work routine. We appreciated the organization and preparation that went into making the expedition so enjoyable and relaxing. It was interesting to learn about marine life, and thrilling to see the Dall’s porpoises leaping around the kayaks! The meals were truly gourmet, thanks to your good cooking – you made it seem easy to feed such a large group in the wilderness. The group felt safe and well looked after with your kayak guides. Thank you.

Evelyn Anderson, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. I’ve recommended Sea Quest to everyone. I was very impressed with how well organized the trip was. I learned a lot and had a great time doing it. Both kayak guides were loads of fun – which made the trip! They made it look effortless but I know they were always working. Thanks.

Jane Akers, Seattle, WA

As long-time outdoors people lacking kayaking experience, we respect and appreciate the high quality of your services and your equipment. Sea Quest is truly a class act! Thank you doing such an outstanding jobs of introducing us to kayaking and to the natural magnificence of the San Juan Islands.

Carolyn Altman, Portland, OR

Superb. Almost a dream like quality, it was so beautiful. As a solo traveler I was made to feel a part of the group. I will highly recommend you.

Melinda Pratt, Tigard, OR

I felt very fortunate to have experienced my first kayaking trip with such an eloquent, knowledgeable, fun-loving, life-loving guide. He allowed me to truly enjoy the expedition because he warranted my complete respect and trust throughout the adventure. Great work on your planning. We had a great time. Pretty exhilarating for a landlubber like myself!

Julie Briggs, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

I loved the sea kayaks! They were so stable and beautiful. They were quite comfortable even though I am not very tall. The guide was wonderful, intelligent, humorous, and full of information. His meals were delicious and full of tender care. ‘Relax’ seemed to be the key word. I felt pampered and waited on the entire time. It was a five-day long high! Every second was magical. Every sunrise – every moonrise. The best, most spiritual experience of my entire life. It truly changed my perspective on life. I came home a different person!

Joanne Derby, San Francisco, CA

A terrific kayak trip! Mark did an excellent job. I would recommend it to anyone.

Dave Hoedemaker, Seattle, WA

Mark is an excellent kayak guide – very knowledgeable and good at passing that knowledge on to others. I enjoyed his humor and admired his integrity. He made everyone feel at ease and able to enjoy the experience. I’m recommending you to all my friends.

Amy Wickham, Boulder, CO

Just wanted to thank you folks for a great vacation. We both appreciated all of your efforts to educate us to the ways of the kayaking environment and the ecology/zoology of Puget Sound. I was very pleased to benefit from your knowledge and experience – it added a lot to the beautiful setting. It is gratifying to know that individuals like you are making the commitment to study the environment and introduce so many ‘outsiders’ to nature. Keep up the good work.

Mike Mogal, New York, NY

Absolutely the best! Both guides showed enthusiasm and knowledge far beyond what could be expected – exceptional people. Food was delicious and substantial.

Vince Nibler, Berkeley, CA

I felt very secure with our guide’s knowledge of the local waters and his extensive experience. The food was excellent from the content to the presentation. We’ve come back once now already and I’m sure we’ll be back again. There’s nothing like it!

Sarah Jackson, Cleveland, OH

Thanks for leading such a wonderful kayak trip. It was everything I hoped it would be and more. Your incredible expertise and concern for excellence made the trip truly outstanding. I hope to make it on another tour again sometime. In the meantime, you can be sure I’m spreading the word!

Dorle Vawter, Minneapolis, MN

As you can tell, I had a great time! It’s hard to believe that just a month ago, I was essentially at the ends of the earth. It was fantastic!

Mark Hoffman, Redmond, WA

The staff was great. Everyone was not only experienced in kayaking but very knowledgeable about the region, sea life, geology, and more. It was a learning experience. Excellent! I would do it again in a flash.

Brad Rodgers, Amarillo, TX

The kayak trip I just finished was a ball – an absolute joy in every respect. I had never kayaked before but I always felt safe. Everything provided was in tip-top shape and got the job done. I think that very special praise should go to the guides. They were excellent. More than any other factor, Martine made the kayak trip! Her very special personality stamped itself onto a great personal experience for me from the very first moment. The whole package was without fault. A-1 quality!

Paul Bromberg, Bellmore, NY

Join a Kayak Quest for Whales

Explore Available Tours