2-Day Fully-Catered Kayak Camping Trip in the San Juan Islands
Overview
Available languages
48 hours
Mobile ticket
Cypress Island is unique among the hundreds of amazing islands here in the San Juan archipelago. It is one of the crown-jewels of the San Juan Islands National Monument. Over 90% of this large island has been set aside as a Conservation Area and a Natural Area Preserve. Due to the protected status, there is an abundance of wildlife surrounding the island. Miles of trails are available to explore, some leading to stunning overlooks and others lead to private coves with pebble beaches.
Few commercial companies venture to Cypress Island due to the challenges of where they operate from. Anacortes Kayak Tours is perfectly situated to enable them to escort a lucky few people to the "last best place" in the San Juan Islands.
No ferry hassles are necessary to join this trip. You can drive right to us on Fidalgo Island due to bridges that connect us to the mainland. Make the most of your valuable time and join us!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Travelers over 265 pounds in weight, or over 6 feet 5 inches in height may not be comfortable in our kayaks. Please call if you have questions. Thank you!
We will be carrying all of our equipment in the kayaks, therefore if traveling with children we ask that there is one adult per child. We can make special arrangements occasionally, please call.
This trip is conducted in tandem (2 person) kayaks. Singles are available for an additional fee of $50/day. Must be reserved in advance, and participants must be at least 18 years old.
Please consult with your physician if you have serious medical conditions.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What‘s Included
All Fees and Taxes
Fun and professional guide!
Water, snacks, coffee/tea and various drink mixes are provided in addition to a tasteful meal plan
Dinner
Breakfast
All camping gear, cutlery, and kitchen equipment.
Personal clothing.
Alcoholic beverages (feel free to bring your choice!)
Personal hygienic products
No showers are available.
Water compatible shoes (please bring your own).
Singles are available for an additional fee of $50/day
What To Expect
Fidalgo Island to Cypress Island
Accommodations
Tent camping only. (We will provide your tent, sleeping pad, and pillow)
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
After departing from Fidalgo Island you will cross the channel and traverse the pastoral shorelines of Guemes Island. Look for porpoise in the channel, as well as our ubiquitous Harbor seals! From Guemes Island you will cross Bellingham Channel and enter the Cypress Island Marine Protected Reserve. Wildlife abound here and the views are outstanding. This is one of the least developed islands in the entire San Juan archipelago. Depending on needs of the group and the weather, you will head to one of only two primitive camp areas on Cypress Island. Both offer exceptional camping experiences. If there is time then you may opt to go for an afternoon paddle after setting up camp, but most people are content to relax on the beach or take in a hike on the trails while the guides prepare a fantastic dinner. If conditions permit then it is possible that bioluminescence will light up the darker bays along the island. Your guide will usually know when this is happening and will offer to take you out in the dark for a quick trip to experience it.
San Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands are comprised of over 450 named islands. They are well known for their pastoral beauty and diverse wildlife. Cypress Island is one of the least developed (only one permanent year-round resident) and the most protected of them all.
Fidalgo Island
Anacortes is located on beautiful Fidalgo Island. If you have the time then you should definitely plan to spend an extra day here before or after your kayak camping trip! Ask us for ideas about where to explore, we love telling people about our favorite spots.
Cypress Island
Cypress Island is an exceptional place. 90% of the island has been set aside as a conservation area, and the water surrounding Cypress is designated as a Marine Protected Area. Wildlife abounds here, both in the sea, and in the forested slopes. Be sure to take a walk on the trails, some of them lead to the most amazing views!
Cypress Island to Fidalgo Island
Accommodations
Tent camping only. All camping gear provided.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
San Juan Islands
After enjoying a wonderful night on the island you will rise with the Sun (or a bit later, if you wish). Your guide will prepare a hearty breakfast before assisting you in taking down your tents and packing your gear. Your route for the day is dependent on the tidal currents and weather. Some trips retrace a similar route back to Anacortes, and others choose to take a slight variation. Lunch will be served on a beach along the way. This trip usually returns between 3:00pm and 5:00pm.
Options
2-Day Fully-Catered Kayak Camping Trip in the San Juan Islands
Reviews
14 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great trip!
beckya57,
Sep 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great trip! Wolf was a knowledgeable and approachable guide, easy to talk to, but also aware of the group’s needs. He also prepared fantastic meals, and had been well-briefed on the group’s dietary needs. They sent us by water taxi to the island to make sure we got campsites (holiday weekend), which was wise because the campground filled up quickly. We went on a day paddle instead, and had time to hike before dinner. The 2 channel crossing back to Anacortes was a bit challenging due to currents and boat traffic, but the route was well-chosen and we didn’t have any problems. Very fun weekend, and a professional company.
Absolutely amazing!
Footprints728413,
Jun 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the 3 day Cypress Island Kayak tour and hands down probably the most amazing trip I’ve ever taken! I honestly can not think of one negative thing! Gabe was amazing (it is obvious he loves what he does!), so knowledgeable about the area, the waters, the animals (we saw so many animals/birds!) etc, our group was small and fun, the food was better than I eat at home! And we barely had to lift a finger (except to paddle of course!). I will tell all my friends about this and let them know how smoothe it all was from reservation to completion! I will remember this trip always. Thank you so much! And the cherry on top of an already amazing trip was the pod of orcas we got to watch twice!! ❤️❤️😀
Disappointing
297SiobhanC,
Sep 13, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Unfortunately this trip was a bust. Guides were pleasant enough but not skilled in reading currents. The route was exceptionally boring. We just crossed 2 busy channels and made camp. There is no attempt to group people according to ability thus there are some who could hardly get into a kayak along with the fit and capable. The food was the cheapest they could find from Costco. Very disappointing.
Always a great paddle
K5268LIbrianc,
Aug 7, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Just came back from a 3 day guided tour, perfect weather, great guide and incredible scenery. This was my 10+ trip with AKT, always look forward to our yearly trip. Megan and Erik run a great company and always provide us with top notch equipment. Would highly recommend, whether you can just do the short hourly trip or go for it for a 5 day one. You might become addicted like me!
Amazing!!!!
nicklK8073IH,
Aug 5, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing company with amazing guides. Everything was first class, the scenery is amazing and we couldn’t recommend this highly enough. We are inexperienced kayakers and had absolutely no issues on this trip.
Great time with a well-organized company
N1953RQdanield,
Aug 2, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I made my reservation online, which was easy even though reservation itself was rather complex. AKT contacted me repeatedly before the trip to make sure everything was just right. As a result, everything went off without a hitch. We had a great trip with great guides, Tim and Margaret. We couldn't have asked for a better experience.
Sea Kayaking the high seas of Puget Sound! Adventure of a lifetime —
JaneL126,
Aug 1, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Tim Mullen was our outstanding guide throughout this trip. He was a wealth of info about Puget Sound’s history, geology, tides, currents, flora and fauna. Plus he was a delightful person to be around and a wonderful chef. We could not have asked for a better guide on our very first trip. And all the trip planning and logistics by the AKT team behind the scenes could not have been smoother. Hats off to all of you for our memorable trip!! The only criticism we would make is in the written verbiage about the trip, it indicated that “no prior experience in kayaking was necessary.” For most of our group of six, this was our very first experience in sea kayaking. Our struggles through considerable winds and adverse tides were more daunting than we imagined. Perhaps a question to applicants for future trips should include gathering info about their previous experience so the trip could be better tailored to novices like ourselves.
Amazing weekend!
Q8477EKchadh,
Jun 21, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took the 2 day/1 night kayak trip to Cypress Island. It was an amazing experience from beginning to end! Besides the beautiful scenery and being away from our busy lives, the people made the experience one to remember. Tim was our guide and were very knowledgeable about many topics. He was friendly, patient, and a great cook! We also had the privilege of having two new guides come along. Leo and Emma joined our family of five and were fun to be around. They are experienced guides in Michigan and are learning all about the Pacific Northwest. Tim, Leo, and Emma were easily able to make connections with our two teenagers, while being able to have fun with the older folks as well. We all felt like we had made 3 new friends in just a short amount of time. Megan (the owner) was very friendly and went above and beyond with our group when one in our group needed some extra help. Everyone in this company works really hard. The amount of effort it takes to prep and pack the food, tents, sleeping bags, water, etc. must take hours! It's easy to see why this company has such high reviews on Trip Advisor! Our family would highly recommend taking this trip and know you will make memories like our family did!
Disappointing restaurant service on Love Island. Puert Pizarro.
emiliorY2691TS,
Dec 13, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00I am disappointed in the attention I was in the island of Love. Pay 85 soles for a medium fountain of black shells. The dish was filled with Chifles and black shells there would be a dozen. The worst, small shells. Really very disappointing. For a better plate of black shells, pay 57 soles at Edward the Warlock. I recommend this restaurant for the quality and variety of its products.
4 day Kayak trip
daliam914,
Jul 21, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Good food and good company We had perfect weather and our guide was great at timing our trips with the tides
From $658.23
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Operated by Anacortes Kayak Tours