Guided Kayaking Rental: Self-Catered
Kayak Tours in The San Juan Islands
A self-catered guided kayak rental is a great way to save money compared to a fully-catered kayak tour in the San Juan Islands. If you are an experienced camper but don’t have the skills to rent a kayak for exploring on your own, we can supply an expert kayak guide along with a kayak rental package. Our guided kayak rental adventures are perfect for someone who already has camping equipment, enjoys the process of planning a camping trip, has skill at preparing their own meals in the field, and wants to stay within a tighter budget during their vacation.
Guided kayak rentals are accompanied by a Sea Quest kayak guide. By including a kayak guide with your rental package, you can expand your already existing skills, receive valuable counsel during decision making, and obtain crucial advice on local weather and wildlife movements. Our guides are in tune with the locations of our local orcas and can really improve your success for killer whale watching. They also know the most scenic kayaking tour routes and can point you to the best campsites.
Our guided kayak rental fees include the tandem and solo boats, plus all related kayaking gear, and your guide. Your rental kayak guide will come equipped with a VHF radio and a complete kit of various emergency signal devices, a tool kit, local navigation chart and other navigation aids, and lots of specialized knowledge. As the guided rental kayak program is self-catered, you will need to provide your own transportation to and from the beach and pay any launch or camping fees incurred. You are responsible for camp chores, providing your own camping and cooking gear, meals, sleeping bags, tents, etc. In case you have some gaps in your personal gear closet, we do have some of this camping gear available to rent and it can be added to your package. Call or email us for availability of these additional items if needed.
Our guided rental kayaks are top-quality Boreal Designs, Wilderness Systems and Northwest Kayaks models – designed by experienced kayakers with the aid of naval engineering software. These are expedition-style kayaks suitable for everything from exposed ocean to protected coves. Our guided rental tandems are 19.5 to 23 feet in length with bulkheaded compartments for dry storage in the bow and stern. The center area can be used as storage, or fitted with a seat for a third person if your group has a child or participant unable to paddle with vigor. Our guided rental solo kayaks include the Tempest 170 and 165, and Tsunami 175. These speedy beauties handle like a dream and we’ve given them sea trials in ocean surf, rock gardens and other extreme conditions where they’ve earned our highest marks. Most of our guides end up purchasing a Tempest or Tsunami for their personal kayak.
Sign up today for a guided kayak rental adventure in the San Juan Islands with Sea Quest!
The fees shown are a per person rate for July through Labor Day. Lower rates may be available outside of our peak season. Please contact us for a quote if you are a party of one or would like to kayak in the San Juan Islands of Washington from September through June. Rates were calculated to reflect one guide up to 10 persons, two guides for up to 20 persons, and three guides for larger groups.
| Guided Kayak Rental Fees: per person, based on 2 or 3 participants | 1 Day | 2 Days | 3 Days | 4 Days | 5 Days |
| $219 | $419 | $609 | $749 | $879 | |
| Guided Kayak Rental Fees: per person, based on 4 or 5 participants | 1 Day | 2 Days | 3 Days | 4 Days | 5 Days |
| $199 | $379 | $559 | $699 | $799 | |
| Guided Kayak Rental Fees: per person, based on 6 or 7 participants | 1 Day | 2 Days | 3 Days | 4 Days | 5 Days |
| $139 | $289 | $399 | $499 | $579 | |
| Guided Kayak Rental Fees: per person, based on 8 to 10 participants | 1 Day | 2 Days | 3 Days | 4 Days | 5 Days |
| $109 | $219 | $309 | $409 | $499 | |
| Guided Kayak Rental Fees: per person, based on 11 to 14 participants | 1 Day | 2 Days | 3 Days | 4 Days | 5 Days |
| $109 | $219 | $309 | $409 | $499 | |
| Guided Kayak Rental Fees: per person, based on 15 to 20 participants | 1 Day | 2 Days | 3 Days | 4 Days | 5 Days |
| $109 | $219 | $309 | $409 | $499 | |
| Guided Kayak Rental Fees: per person, based on 21 or more participants | 1 Day | 2 Days | 3 Days | 4 Days | 5 Days |
| $99 | $199 | $269 | $349 | $419 |
For regular kayak rentals without a guide, available for experienced sea kayakers only, please visit sea kayak rentals on San Juan Island.
Accommodations in Friday Harbor are numerous and diverse. To have the most flexibility, book your stay as far in advance as possible. Options include:
From the Anacortes Ferry Terminal, enjoy a ferry ride to Friday Harbor, the main town on San Juan Island.
