"I love sailing and have always been a great first mate, but when I decided to get my ASA…read morecertification to be able to captain the boat, I had lots of doubts about my skills. Ben was my instructor and he made learning fun and seemingly simple. He is filled with expertise, integrity, and makes learning a joy. I give him my highest recommendation, you would be lucky to be aboard with Capt. Ben." Connie Ballou, Kirkland WA

A group of 4 of us booked a "Beginning Couples" sailing trip with Beth & Ben at Sail Olympia. It…read morewas easily one of the best vacations we have had - toss in the training and certification and the trip was absolutely perfect. Their teaching style on the boat is so natural that at no point did I really feel like I was in an "instruction" environment. They organically covered all of the 101 and 103 topics over the course of the week. Prior to the trip no one in our group had any sailing experience, and only limited power boat experience. By the end of the trip, everyone in our group was comfortable with navigating, operating the sails, docking and departing, and generally running the boat. We are all super eager to get back out on the water as soon as possible. In addition to their instruction Ben & Beth are wonderful hosts and we felt instantly at home - staying up late into the night sharing stories of adventures past. We will be recommending Sail Olympia to anyone who will listen as the best way to get into this sport, or just a great way to spend a week off away from the world.

KC is an incredible Guide. Professional in every way plus very personable. I do plan on returning.read more

Absolutely Amazing!! David at Adventure Angling is by far the best fishing guide in the area. Will…read morego again!

I have several favorite walks in Olympia including Capital Lake, Watershed Park, and Darlin Creek…read moreNature preserve. Each has its charms, but I keep coming back to McLane more often than any other. I like that there are always people there, yet it never feels crowded. Two loop trails joined by a connecting path provide plenty of options depending on your energy level and time limitations. There are several water features, and plenty of waterfowl to view. Much evidence of beavers, yet oddly I've never seen one. Dogs are allowed and honestly these are the politest dog owners around as I've never felt menaced as I have at some other locations. There is a pet waste collection bin, and people seem to use it. A rest room is provided, as well as a small covered picnic area near the larger parking area. Be sure to bring your Discover Pass as it's required for parking. If you don't have one, there are a couple of wide spots along Delphi Road where you could park.

This is a very easily walkable 1.1 mile trail that leads to a spawning ground for wild chum salmon…read more The trail is very well marked and level. I visited during mid December, so there were still a handful of salmon making their way upstream and spawning in the gravel beds. There's a little footbridge spanning over the stream and so you can get a good look at the fish swimming without being tempted to wade into the water itself (which is highly, highly discouraged since it's very easy to crush fish eggs and disrupt the migration). I would describe this as a multisensory experience as you can see the fish, hear them splashing in the water...and smell the dead fish. I wouldn't advise going if you have a sensitive nose! This was a cool experience otherwise.

I booked a cruise for my fiance and her friends, and they loved it…read more During the booking process, Capt. Scott was professional, and kept me informed. When I saw them off at the dock, he was very friendly. I'm no sailor, but he struck me as competent and seemed like he took safety seriously. The boat appeared to be in good shape and clean. The group came back with glowing reviews. They loved their time on the Sound, and had only good things to say about the crew. I would absolutely book with him again, and would recommend it to others.

We had a lovely time! Our sister came up from LA to visit and this was the best experience for her…read moreand us as a family. The views were incredible and there were seals and blue herons out. Scott and Connie were kind and helpful guides. The kids loved driving the sail boat and seeing how the sails work. Highly recommend!

My bad for not posting a review for this place. I could've sworn I had done so already…read more Hands down, this was our family's favorite thing we did on our vacation up north and that's going against some heavy hitters (Ruby beach, Olympic, etc) The tour guides were not only knowledgeable, but so friendly. We literally walked away that day feeling like we made some friends. We seen tons of Harbor Seals, jellyfish, Bald Eagles and Deer on Hope Island. The day was absolutely what great memories are made of. If you are in the Olympic region, book a tour with this company. I guarantee a fantastic trip!!

Beautiful experience! Our guides shared their knowledge and love of Puget Sound. Saw eagles,…read moreherons, seals, raccoons and an abundance of marine life and other birds. The kayaks were super clean and easy to use. This was my first time in a closed kayak with a rudder, and I loved it! I can't describe the peace and beauty of this area with mere words. What an incredible way to experience the PNW and Puget Sound! I'm so happy we found this experience.

Eld Inlet is located at the Southern Edge of Puget Sound in Olympia. It's about 6 miles long. The…read moremost southern edge of the inlet is called Mud Bay. We stayed at a beach house here during the long 4th of July weekend for some much-needed relaxation. It's so close to the city yet secluded enough so it feels like a small vacation away from home. The weather was perfect. We took advantage of paddle boarding and kayaking. We were even greeted by a curious Sea Otter and a humongous Jelly Fish that seemed like it was 2 1/2 feet wide. *shivers* The water and the view were amazing!! There's a considerable difference between low tide and high tide so I'd keep an eye out for the tide tables. During low tide, you can go for long walks along the beach and do some beach combing. During high tide, that same beach is non-existent. Perfect time to take the paddle board or kayak out so I don't have to walk the length of the beach to get in the water. I would frequently see Oyster boats go by. Apparently Eld Inlet is known for growing the richest oysters. Something about the algae in the inlet gives the oyster meat its yellowish creamy color... buttery. The same conditions in Eld Inlet that grow sweet oysters also produce very thin shells. There are also several Sandy beach areas in Eld Inlet that are open to the public.

A few months ago I was able to receive my dry suit certification with them. Staff very helpful!read more

A++++++ experience! Highly, highly recommend this dive shop. Excellent gear selection and…read moreknowledgable staff. Darnell, Alex, Jack and Phil are a super team. Our daughters ages 12 and 14 learned how to dive with Alex and Phil. They received exceptional instruction, personalized service and had actually had fun diving in the Hood Canal in October! Thank you for such a wonderful, positive experience, we could not be more pleased!

Chris is the most rare individual who can educate & bring out the best and give confidence to…read moresomeone with honesty and inspire, all at the same time. He made a HUGE impact in a very positive way to both me and my daughter's diving. Can't say enough good things about him! Sincerely, Dan Ellott in Tacoma, Wa

What I learned from Phase 3 will save my life. Chris did a good job teaching me and also made the…read moretremendous amount that goes into this a lot of fun. It was challenging but well worth it. Anybody interested in freediving should give him a call. Even if you just have a few questions. I would recommend this course.