Our five day Crystal Seas Inn-to-Inn kayaking trip with Chris and Irene as our guides was absolutely a stellar experience. We hit it off with Chris and Irene from the moment we first met them on the ferry to Orcas Island. We truly enjoyed the company of two wonderful guides with strong interpersonal skills, a deep respect for the environment and a knack for sharing that respect. We found both our guides knowledgable and insightful. Our guides made the trip a true joy by allowing us to use our energy to paddle while they did all of the heavy lifting and made sure that our journey was pleasant and safe. They gently watched over us while making the trip our own. They helped us with paddling techniques when we asked for guidance and all of us watched our guides effortless paddling technique with admiration. They challenged our group in conditions we haven't experienced before and carefully assessed and matched our kayaking abilities to the conditions. They never took us beyond our ability. We were delighted by the quality of the food and snacks that they brought along for our consumption during the paddling days. You should have seen the looks on our faces when we were first greeted by a colorful gourmet lunch spread out on a table cloth with Chris and Irene in cooking aprons. We don't normally carry napkins, silverware, plates and cups when we have a kayaking picnic and were delighted when we realized the lunches that lie ahead. The lunches they brought along were awesome. Fresh organic fruit and veggies were popular with all of us. At the end of our long paddling days, our guides loaded up all of our equipment and supplies without our having to lift a finger. When we offered to help, they reminded us that this was our vacation and we should relax and enjoy ourselves. The guides then delivered us to our rooms in top-notch accommodations. The rooms were great and dinners were at the islands best restaurants. The guides made sure our days were filled and even gave us options if we had the energy to do more. We were then elated at the end of the day when our guides came to our rooms with hor d'oeuvres at the end of our paddling day so that we could partake in a happy hour! We realized that our guides day didn't end like ours because they still had the chore of cleaning up after each day to make sure that all of our needs for the following day would be fulfilled. They did all of their clean-up work and preparation for the next day seamlessly behind the scenes. We knew they were working while we were relaxing. The two of our guides were spectacular. We had two guides for our party of four. We shared both serious and humorous conversation. Both of our guides possessed inquiring minds and were truly a delight. Laughter was frequent as we all enjoyed each other's company. We didn't want our trip to end and would have continued if time allowed. We thank all of those at Crystal Seas for making this trip such a success. We know that there was a great deal of work that went on behind the scenes to make our trip look and feel seamless. We owe special thanks to our guides, Chris and Irene, for all they did to make this trip so memorable! read more

We had such a magnificent time on our Crystal Seas Kayaking trip! The company: very helpful and thorough, replied promptly to any questions; we were able to make arrangements for our wonderful holiday with less than a month's advance notice...it was all so easy to arrange online, and they even ordered up the best weather possible ~ we had all sunny, blue sky days! But, even if the weather was not so great, everything else we experienced on this trip would have more than made up for it. We went on a 4 day/3 night kayaking/camping trip. The company offers shorter tours, but if you can, do a longer trip. You have time to do so much more, and there is better chance of you happening upon those majestic orcas Our guides: Kelly and Drew were the best we could have asked for: always well organized, professional, thoughtful, kind, funny, and extremely knowledgeable of the area and the wildlife. They worked so hard to make this the best trip possible for all participants. They are intuitive in reading the group, knowing when to take breaks and relax, and make it enjoyable for any level of paddler. Their passion for the environment and their dedication to their work was evident every minute of the tour...we don't know how many tours they have done before ours but they were just as excited as we were when we stumbled across a fantastic sighting, just as if it was their first time seeing it too. We would go back out with them any day! The sights: We expected to see beautiful sights, but the open waters and all the islands were incredible. We were so fortunate to see orca whales within our first hour of starting our trip!!! And so many seals and cute seal pups, deer, eagles, seastars...too many to list. The food: Our meals were fantastic! We had gourmet breakfasts and dinners, yummy lunches and snacks...you do not go hungry! I would take up to much space listing all the delicious meals we had...you'll have to go sample it for yourself. A wonderful plus...they try to use as many local products for their meals! Oh, and they even pair the perfect wine to go with your evening meals. We have already strongly suggested this tour to friends and family and would love to come back ourselves! THANK YOU KELLY AND DREW FOR LEADING US ON THIS AMAZING TRIP!!!" If you have time, stay a night or two longer on San Juan Island. There is so much to do...don't miss out on visiting Roche Harbour and Lime Kiln Point State Park...we parked our car, and then ran down the path when we heard everyone saying whales were coming...we saw a superpod of orcas breaching the waters as soon as we reached the look out! read more

We were visiting San Juan Island as a "final family trip" after my son graduated from high school and my daughter from college. Not surprisingly, it is difficult to find things that all will enjoy. We got Groupon coupons for the trip -- but would have been happy to pay full price, as we had a great time. We did a full day kayak tour, 11 am - 6 pm. We booked on line and that went fine. When we checked in at Friday Harbor, the woman at the desk was a little grumpy -- and I was a bit put off. But that was the only down side of the trip. Kate and Elliot were our guides and did a great job -- very friendly, competent, full of info. They got us fitted up and in the kayaks quickly and efficiently. Their instructions were good. The equipment worked well. There were 4 double kayaks of tourists and 2 guides (I believe Elliot said he is still in his training phase). We set out from Mitchell Bay -- the day was gorgeous and we saw several types of sea birds. As we traveled along the coastline, Kate mentioned that there was some "suspicious boat activity," meaning that Orca may have been sighted in the area, and we paused in some kelp beds to watch. Sure enough, there was a pod of Orca, including a young one (but not a newborn as Kate explained -- the white spots were not pink) -- that swam by over about 20 mins. We watched as they went by and were lucky enough to see the youngster jump out of the water. Then we proceeded down the shoreline. Kate and Elliot answered questions and provided information in a noninvasive way. They were very friendly and kept the group going at a pace that was easy for all. We stopped for a couple of rests and then had lunch just past the light house. On the way back we saw more wildlife including Dall's porpoises. We caught a nice current which hurried our trip back, and we arrived in Mitchell Bay right on time. I would recommend this trip to all, as the pace was good and the information interesting. Sometimes you see Orca and sometimes you don't -- we were lucky -- but would have enjoyed the trip anyhow. We all enjoyed the tour and hope to do it again sometime. read more

This is my first time writing a review for a trip I took, but I want to share with everyone who might be a little apprehensive about going on such an adventure. I had such an incredible time I had on the 3 day Kayaking/Camping trip with Crystal Seas. I had been in a Kayak once in my whole life and I am almost 55 years old so as you can imagine I was a bit nervous about going on this adventure. Max and Cassidy were our guides and I couldn't have asked for more wonderful young men. They were knowledgeable, informative, respectful , courteous and talk about incredible chefs! OMG, the food that they prepared for us was no other than amazing, we were camping mind you, on a remote island and we had things like Fresh Salmon, steak, Fresh Green beans, ravioli, Salad with walnuts and berries and desserts that really opened your taste buds to pure enjoyment. Amazing food they served to say the least, they catered to us Breakfast, lunch and dinner with snacks in between and even appetizers before dinner on both nights while the main course was being prepared! The Kayaking and hiking were amazing, I was amazed at the scenery and the wildlife, there was even a deer in camp one morning! We all hiked to the lighthouse with Max and Cassidy guiding us and showing us the way, after the 3 hour hike we came back to camp with appetizers on the table and a bit of unwind and relax time before dinner. Thank you Crystal Seas for having such a venue for the adventurous ones to see and enjoy the beautiful San Juan Islands in style. Thank you Max for showing me I could do it and giving me the encouragement to do so, it was an experience I will never forget. Sincerely, Louise B. read more

Look no further. Book the trip! The whole company is great, and if you're lucky enough to get Brooke as your guide, it can't get any better. My husband and I took the 4 day bike, kayak, camp trip for our honeymoon in September. We figured we'd need to plan another more "honeymoon-like" trip later on, but we honestly felt so pampered by Brooke and her attention to detail that we arrived home beyond satisfied, telling anyone who would listen about this amazing trip. Brooke was knowledgeable about everything from local lore, to wildlife and geography, to the unique personalities of each island. Her cooking was incredible, and we even went back to local shops and markets to pick up some of our favorite ingredients of hers for gifts and snacks for our last couple days on the islands. We loved the itinerary as it was, but she offered lots of options for tailoring things to guests' needs (longer or shorter legs, more/less of one activity, whale watching boat tours, etc.). My husband was training for a marathon and she helped him find great trails to run on in the evenings, and even accompanied me on a pre-dinner hike so I wouldn't get lost. They think of absolutely everything- from having quarters on hand for a warm shower to an ice cream break at their favorite creamery to a very unique hot springs trip. You will never go hungry! Meals are delicious and satisfying (French toast with berry compote while camping?!) and an array of snacks will be waiting for you at every rest stop. This is a great way to do a bit of everything and see a bit of everything the SJ Islands have to offer. I don't think we could have had a better trip in any way. read more

Incredible trip! I was amazed at the beautiful environment that I was immersed in from the moment I arrived at Lime Kiln State Park and began our adventure! Our guide, Dakota, was a master in her knowledgeable of the area and wildlife, which was a lot! I'd never sea kayaked before, only on a lake, and I appreciated Dakota's instruction and help in getting everything packed, fitted and on the way..never knew how much will fit in a 9x16 inch dry bag! Or how little! We were never hungry, breakfast was always delicious, ready and coffee was on before we were usually fully awake. After we had been on the water, kayaking, or laying around in a neat little cove, sunbathing, we were ready to head back to camp.Our meals were quality, plentiful and there was a local red or wine to go with the evening meal, which was an enjoyable surprise for our group! The camraderie between the group was almost immediate, it was like we had known each other before. We all had different kayaking experience and physical abilities, but in the 2-person kayak you work as a team and it was a lot of fun! I must say that the Crystal Seas equipment is by far the best equipment on the water out of Friday Harbour! After seeing what the other outfitting companies and guides were using and making their clients do, I shudder to think that I might of been booked with one of them. I thank you, Crystal Seas and especially Dakota for one unforgettable experience in the San Juan Island area! It is definitely one of the most memorable times of my life! read more

My son and I were in Friday Harbor for a couple days and decided to book a sunset kayak trip at the last minute. Our guide, Sam, met us at the shop downtown and took us by van to the Snug Harbor Resort (west side of Island). From there, we received a quick kayaking lesson and were off and running. The equipment was very nice. We were each given a splash curtain, and a two person kayak. The kayaks seemed to be of very good quality and very well maintained. I am not an expert, so I am not sure if they were high-end or not, but they were very easy to paddle and steer and were very stable in the water, even with some chop and current. We left Snug Harbor and headed south along the west side of the Island. The tour took us past a lot of interesting features as well as some great houses along the coast. Sam, continually balanced his time between our group of 3 kayaks and was really good to offer tips and adjustments as well as just make good conversation. After going a couple of miles down the coast, we turned around and headed back to Snug Harbor. We got back a few minutes before sunset, so we extended our trip north a little ways to see Henry Island. We then settled into a quiet area at the mouth of the harbor and watched the sunset. All in all, this was an excellent experience. The nice thing about it was that you didn't feel like you were in some touristy cattle shoot. You just felt like another person enjoying some kayaking on the island. I would definitely recommend these guys for your trip. read more

It was the most fabulous vacation I've had in a very long time. We went on Crystal Seas' biking-oriented (Terratrek) 6 day, 5 night biking tour, Inn to Inn. I especially appreciate that we were able to arrange the Pedego ebike rental with Susie. We were a group of three, and Albert, our dedicated guide, was phenomenal, so knowledgeable, fun, and helpful. The cue sheets were very useful to remind us after Albert showed us the route first on a map. He also chose a really nice hike for us on Turtleback mountain that matched the elevation profile and distance we suggested. His picnic lunches were gourmet and get five stars! The accommodations and restaurants were top notch. I particularly recommend Crystal Seas/Terratrek because they focus only on the San Juan Islands, over the other companies that offer similar tours but are global in scope. Crystal Seas/Terratrek are from the area, know the area, and really give insight into the history, flora, fauna, and geography. The only suggestion I could make is to make it easier to rent quality ebikes for people who love to ride bikes in beautiful locations, but don't want to do the big hills. I feel so fortunate to have rented the Pedego, which is a quality ebike. We did see some rental ebikes on Orcas Island, so maybe in time there will be more available in Friday Harbor. Terratrek is great! And I will be recommending these trips to my friends. read more

This is my 3rd day trip with Crystal Seas and it never disappoints!!! We did the all day kayak trip and did 10 miles of paddling total. Our guide Hannah was extremely knowledgeable on the history and wildlife in the area and gave us excellent pre-trip kayak instruction. She even gave us a little tow when we were struggling to keep up at the end (embarrassingly so). It was a beautiful rainy day and we saw tons of wildlife including my first octopus in the wild! Seeing the wildlife in and from the water is by far the highlight, especially the whales when they show up! The scenery is incredible! By all means, bring layers (moisture wicking base layer and mid-layer and an outer waterproof layer) as the weather in the Pacific Northwest can go from chilly and/or rainy to hot when the sun breaks through the clouds very quickly. I like to wear water shoes like Keens or Chacos so it is no big deal if your feet get wet. It also can be windy on the water so I throw in a beanie hat, gloves and sunglasses (last year I work shorts and a tank top because it was a much warmer day). Just come prepared for a variety of weather and you will enjoy your trip so much more if you are comfortable. Also, I highly recommend a GoPro or waterproof camera so that you can capture the experience. I'll be back next year!!! Thanks again:) Crystal Seas!!! Can't wait for next year's adventure with you!!! read more

My wife and I had a fantastic time on a sunset paddle. Maya was our guide and was amazing. She was knowledgeable, fun, and careful to ask about our preferences re comfort with conditions etc. We also had the privilege of going out by ourselves...just two kayaks (our double and Maya's single) heading out of the tranquil Snug Harbor toward Haro straight. We were treated to views of a double rainbow, a bald eagle soaring right past us, a kingfisher or two diving and chattering, and, eventually a beautiful sunset. About half way through the journey, our guide got a text that a pod of orcas was headed in our direction. We paddled out a bit from shore, and sure enough, we saw them spouting. First we saw one or two, but then we saw two groups of at least 4 or 5...we guessed we saw at least a dozen orcas spouting and a few fins dancing above the waves. Maya thought that the entire pod was probably together. We couldn't get close because they were so far from shore, but it was thrilling nonetheless. BTW, crystal seas dock at Snug means that there is no delay for hauling kayaks off of vans, dragging them down to the water, and vice versa at the end. This means that lots more of the time you book is spent in the water paddling. Beware of the competitors who "eat up" a lot of your time on those activities. read more

Totally recommended! We did a lot of research and finally landed with Crystal Seas, never a doubt. High class, best guides, equipment, food and tours. From start to finish, we loved it and were blown away with the whole experience. We had great weather and Sam and Johnny were the most excellent guides, giving all kinds of information on local animals, islands and stories of trips. We also could not believe how great the food and their cooking was. We had snacks, appetizers and then the main course for all the meals. It was utterly fantastic, and my wife never had to lift a finger. We did the 3 day tour and had teens, 18, 16, 16. All girls and they did great, we swapped kayaks and each had a chance to spend time with one another each day. The tents were top notch, all clean and the gear packed up perfect in the boats. We saw, otters, Jellyfish, Porpoises, many seals, Bald Eagles, other wildlife and Orcas from a distance. Even without the closeup Orcas, I'd still recommend. My wife and I are planning to go back in the future with just us for a longer trip, and maybe tour the islands on one of their bike tours too. Amazing and wonderful time, life long memories of paddling, nature, sunsets, AWESOME food, friends and laughing. can't say enough good about this company! Do it! read more

My niece and I went on a 3 day kayak and camp trip with Crystal Seas in May this year. It was fantastic from planning to fruition. Prior to actually going on our trip I had a few questions and communications with the office when I called was always pleasant and professional. Johannes returned emails promptly and answered all the questions I had and made me feel like a valued customer. The equipment was high quality; great kayaks and comfortable tents and sleeping pads. The tents were roomy and it was great to have 2 exits so we didn't have to crawl over each other to exit. Life jackets are always going to be a little tough to fit perfectly but they weren't bad. Our guide, Max, was excellent. He was very knowledgeable about the area and sea life. You could tell he truly enjoyed his job. He was professional but personable and his calm, and encouraging manner and ability to give clear directions and guidance really put us at ease and made the trip that much more enjoyable. Also he fed us really well. I mean how often do you get crepes for breakfast on a camping trip! I'd been on a trip with Crystal Seas once before a number of years back and it's nice to see that this company just continues to provide wonderful adventures and excellent customer service. read more

We just got back from a three day, two night kayaking and camping trip with Crystal Seas Kayaking. We had an amazing adventure! Everyone with Crystal Seas was so friendly and accommodating, from the person who helped us with the reservation to the actual guides who took us out. They kept our group small, so we were just a group of six friends and two guides. Our wonderful guides were Max and Cassidy, and they worked tirelessly to make it an enjoyable experience for us in every way possible, well beyond anything we expected. Their expertise with kayaking, and their knowledge of the tides and how to get through tough water, gave us the confidence and comfort level we needed to relax and enjoy the water. And they fed us like kings. We even had "Happy Hour" with wine and appetizers while they were preparing delicious dinners. Everything was fresh and local, and they were even able to accommodate my diet restrictions - and remember, we were camping! We didn't end up seeing any whales, but we saw so many other cool things - bald eagles, seals, jelly fish, sea stars, river otters, porpoises... and the islands are so beautiful themselves. It's such a beautiful area. We would go back in a heart beat. And we would definitely go with Crystal Seas again. read more

My dad and I are still talking about our long weekend a year later - my quote below that I made to Crystal Seas immediately after we left (Sept 2012) is still very true: "My dad (78 yrs old) remarked it was the best long weekend he had in years and years - we both loved it and felt especially lucky to have Joe be so knowledgeable about the area." We spent a couple of days kayaking out on the water and then did a substitution to spend a day at the English Camp Natl. Park. Crystal Seas had no problem with that and our guide was very knowledgeable about the island's history and we had a great time touring the park. I would highly recommend them. My father and I are experienced solo kayakers and we were paired up with a couple who were relatively novice - our guide was very clear and effective with his technique training and also was adept at making sure they had a safe adventure while accommodating successfully our higher skill level (which we used to gunk-hole about along the shore, moving ahead and falling behind) Food was excellent, company was excellent, rental equipment was in very good shape even though it was the tail end of the season. Again - I highly recommend them read more

Special shout-out to Crystal Seas Kayaking! That was amazing! The check-in was super easy and the receptionists were incredibly friendly. Jaclyn was our tour guide and she was so nice. She drove us out to Snug Harbor, gave us a quick safety talk, told us some tricks, and -boom- we took off. We paddled southbound past San Juan County Park and got a clear view to the lighthouse that resides at Lime Kiln. On the way back of our two-ish hour trip the tide came in and I got a little sick but Jaclyn had everything ready. Water, ginger snacks...she even would have had a full med kit if I had needed one. We saw lots of bald eagles, otters, seals, and also some whale sneezes. They would blow water up in the air but missed out on revealing themselves in full. However, it was by far the coolest thing I have ever done on the island. I recommend it to everybody who loves nature, wildlife, and outdoor activities. Grab your friends and family, take 3, 4 hours off of work and enjoy the beauty of San Juan Island! Biggest thank you to Crystal Seas Kayaking! 5 out of 5!!! read more

Crystal Seas Kayaking & TerraTrek Bike Tours - Wonderful experience on the 4-day tour of the San Juan Islands. Roads were well-marked on the maps provided; motorists were courteous (!); and the midday meals were fresh, varied, and plentiful. Our day on sea kayaks was exciting -we saw eagles, seals, and a pod of Orcas while learning about natural history from our guide. We had a relaxing lunch on a table of driftwood in a quiet cove. The lodging was top notch: a beautiful rustic inn on Orcas where we were lulled to sleep by the sound of sheep, and a modern (but charming) hotel on San Juan Island within easy walking distance of eclectic restaurants. Our guide, Joe Guzman, was most accommodating, tailoring the activities to our interests and capabilities. He provided relevant background information on a wide range of topics, from local history to identification of the range of flora and fauna we encountered. All done with good humor. Overall an excellent vacation. read more

We had a total blast on the 3-hour sunset kayak trip. I was a little worried that we would be sore the next day since we are not avid paddlers. But our guide, Tim, was awesome, and gave us some paddling tips and it was all easy-breezy, and I felt fine the next day. Our group included an awesome 84-year-old woman who was there with her grandson (he did all the hard work), so really anyone can do it. And what a fabulous way to spend an evening. We saw eagles, harbor seals, all sorts of birds, vegetation, and a spectacular sunset. The customer service was also fantastic. Months before our trip they were great about answering questions and helping us with the reservations. Everyone was friendly at the Friday Harbor location where they picked us up to shuttle us to Snug Harbor, and then they were nice enough to drop us off at our hotel on the way back. I would highly recommend this to anyone and everyone. I can't wait to go back. read more

I had the time of my life out on the islands! I came to try my luck at seeing the southern resident whales since I was fascinated by them growing up. We had one sighting on shore right at the start of the trip as they were porpoising past Deadman Bay. It was amazing being completely immersed in their habitat for the rest of the trip and I ended up getting so much more than I expected. The bald eagles, jellies, seals, sea birds, and cultural history of the islands blew me away. I felt so happy there...I didn't want to leave! The San Juan Islands are truly an amazing place, and being there with an equally passionate group and guides made it even better. Max and Corey were so patient and good-natured the entire time. Even though we were physically exerting ourselves each day, they helped keep the experience fun and relaxing. I had great conversations with both of them and learned a lot. I will definitely be coming back! read more

We just had an amazing 3-day camping/kayaking adventure with Caleb and Andy. Our package included 2 nights on Stuart Island, and day trips to many surrounding islands. Caleb and Andy prepared incredible meals, including salmon the first night and tacos the next. They prepared lunch for us on the various islands that we were exploring each day. And the smell of fresh brewed, french pressed coffee was always ready for getting our day off to a great start. Also, while camping on Stuart Island, we were able to hike to the tiptop of the island mountain one evening, and out to the lighthouse the next. The lighthouse destination included a spectacular eagle show while taking in the scenery of this breathtaking, furthest northwestern, point of the continental United States. We would highly recommend requesting Caleb and Andy for your next adventure to the San Juan Islands! read more