"San Juander" Lummi Island Half and Full Day Sea Kayak Trips 

Discover the most easily accessible and ruggedly beautiful of the islands in the San Juan archipelago. Experience extremely diverse flora and fauna including eagles, seals, nesting perigrine falcons (on 700 ft cliffs!) and a good chance at cruising Orca whales (especially in May and June!). If you are a Bellinghamer, or you are visiting Bellingham for the first time, this is your opportunity to be amazed once again by the beauty that is only 30 minutes from your own back yard. 

Our groups paddle tandem (2 person) kayaks made by Current Designs.  They are very stable, very efficient, and offer our groups the best opportunity to see as much of the beautiful Lummi Island coast as possible in a short period of time.  We do have a couple singles available for use by experienced paddlers, however, it is very hard for a single to keep up with a group of tandem kayaks, so that person would need to be quite a strong paddler.  We reserve the right to choose appropriate boats based on group requirements and individual skill.

This trip requires a that you walk on the short Lummi Island Ferry connecting Gooseberry Point (on the mainland) and Lummi Island. This ferry costs $7/person, round trip to walk on, and you should be ready at least 15 minutes before the ferry is scheduled to depart.  The ferry only takes 7 minutes to cross.  Go to http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/publicworks/ferry/schedule.jsp for ferry schedules and information.  PLEASE NOTE:  The Lummi Island Car Ferry goes into Dry Dock Sept 7 until Sept 30.  The Ferry departure times for our trips remain the same, however, parking is VERY challenging during this time.  Please allow extra time to find a parking spot and walk to the ferry launch in time for your ferry.  Click HERE for a parking map of the Ferry Terminal.

Full Day trips include a gourmet lunch of largely local foods on Lummi Rocks (a Nature Conservancy owned island) boasting gourgeous views of Orcas, Clark, Barnes, Matia and Sucia Islands.  No experience necessary.

Dates: Wednesdays Thru Sundays (or by appointment)

Times: 10:30 am-1:30 pm, 4:30-7:30 pm sunset paddle

Half Day Cost:

$60/adult (14 and up), $35/youth (7-13), children (6 & under) free.

Full Day Cost: 

$90/adults (14 and up), $50/youth (7-13), children (6 & under) free

 

Call 360-734-7270 to Register Now!

 

**Please note... we require at least 3 people in order to run one of our Half or Full Day Trips.  Please call 360-734-7270 before you register online, to be sure we have enough folks to run the trip.  It is possible to run a trip with only 2 people, however we would need to charge you for the cost of three (sorry all of you lone couples!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return to the main schedule

Sample Itinerary

Through of a mix of learning, hands-on study and group sharing, we will:

Meet your guides at the Lummi Island Ferry Terminal parking lot (on the Lummi Island side of the ferry) at 10:20 AM for morning trips, and 4:20 pm for evening trips.  Ferries leave the Gooseberry Point Ferry Terminal (see directions to the right) at 10 minutes past the hour, every hour on weekends, so you will need to walk on the 10:10am ferry or the 4:10pm ferries respectively.  Please arrive, with clothes ready to go kayaking.  For example non-cotton pants or shorts with long johns/tights; soakable footwear (See “What to Bring”); T-shirts okay if sunny, but have a heavy wool or synthetic shirt or jacket, and a raincoat in your "Day Bag."  We'll load your gear into the boats at our launch site, and hit the water.  YAHOO!  YOU MADE IT!

From our private beach launch on the west side of Lummi Island, we will head out on the water.  We will follow the Lummi Island shoreline, past significant cultural and natural history sites, as we make our way south towards Lummi Rocks. This shoreline has high bluffs of rock, excellent tide pooling, and wonderful views of Orcas, Clark and Sucia Islands.  If we are lucky we may spot eagles, Rhinoceros Oclets, seals and an occasional pod of cruising Orca Whales!

PADDLING TIME EACH DAY: Our paddling mileage/speed is based on the weather, tides and general strength of the group.  For safety reasons, we travel at the pace of the most leisurely boat and stay together.  Days are usually longer and fuller in the islands, we will stop on local beaches overlooking Rosario Straight, view eagles, herons, native flora, and marine life.  Typically, we cover 2 to 3 miles. 

Plan for a full, exciting day outdoors. Please be prepared for any kind of weather and bring plenty of warm clothes, snacks and a fun-loving attitude. We will keep a sharp eye out for Orcas (i.e. Killer Whales), which are occasionally known to cruise Rosario Straight.  We will make our way at a leisurely pace back to our vehicles at the Willows Inn. Once there, we unload and clean boats, and load them onto the trailers.

Lummi Island Meeting Place Directions:

MEETING LOCATION:
Your group will meet at the Lummi Island Ferry Terminal on Lummi Island (2144 Nugent Road, Lummi Island, WA 98262)

MEETING TIME:
Your group will meet at 10:20 am for morning trips, and 4:20 pm for Sunset trips on the Lummi Island side of the ferry. To arrive on Lummi Island by that time, you must take the ferry that departs the Gooseberry Point terminal at 10:10 AM for morning trips, and 4:10 PM for Sunset Paddles. See directions to the Gooseberry Point Ferry terminal below. If you are running late, please call 360-734-7270. For fare information, visit the Whatcom County Ferry website: http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/publicworks/ferry/index.jsp.  We highly recommend that you are prepared to walk onto the ferry a minimum of 10 minutes before your ferry is scheduled to depart. By walking on, you will avoid the long car lines that can occur on busy summer weekends. PLEASE NOTE:  The Lummi Island Car Ferry goes into Dry Dock Sept 7 until Sept 30.  The Ferry departure times for our trips remain the same, however, parking is VERY challenging during this time.  Please allow extra time to find a parking spot and walk to the ferry launch in time for your ferry.  Click HERE for a parking map of the Ferry Terminal. When you walk onto the ferry, carry on all of your gear and meet the Elakah Expeditions van shuttle on the Lummi Island side at the top of the loading ramp. If you need help carrying your gear up to the van, just ask for your guide’s assistance.

DIRECTIONS TO GOOSEBERRY POINT FERRY TERMINAL:
The dock, (using the word terminal is a stretch of the imagination, it is really just a dock.) is located on Gooseberry Point, which is part of the Lummi Nation Reservation. From Bellingham (or further south):
• Head north on I-5 to exit 260.
• Go left on Slater road (west) until you come to your first traffic light at Haxton Way. (there is a gas station and Silver Reef Casino on your left)
• Take a Left, and follow Haxton Way about 6.7 miles to Gooseberry Point. Once on Gooseberry Point you will see signs for the right lane, which is for ferry traffic, so stay in the left lane in order to turn into the long-term parking area across the road from the ferry terminal.
• In the event of an emergency, please call Elakah’s emergency phone at 360-734-7270.

PARKING:
Park at the long term gravel parking lot across from the entrance to the ferry terminal.  (Please note the warning in red above and allow extra time to find parking) Parking is free.

ENDING TIME AND LOCATION:
At the end of the trip we’ll be taking off of the water at about 1:30 pm, in order to catch the 2:00 pm ferry back to your car on Gooseberry Point.

What Should I Bring on My Day Trip?

What should I wear when paddling?

Our general mantra is "Cotton Kills!"  That might be a little extreme, but it is best to avoid cotton if possible in your clothing and sleeping bags.  Cottons retains no thermal capacity when wet and takes forever to dry once it is wet.  Polypropylene, wool, silk and other synthetic fibers are great.

• • Hot Tip:  Go to Goodwill and pick up some old dress clothing (i.e. dress slacks, long sleeve button down dress shirts, etc.).  They make great trail clothes!

"Wet shoes" (Your feet and lower leg, at least up to your knees will get wet, guaranteed! Sandals, aqua socks and rubber boots are all okay.)
Non-cotton pants, which can get wet or can be rolled up, or shorts with long johns/tights. (those old dress slacks work great here!)

Non-cotton long sleeve shirt, good for sun and wind protection. (the old dress shirt fits well here!)
Layers - a T-shirt is good if it gets sunny, but bring a heavy wool or synthetic shirt or sweater and a rain jacket.

Stocking Cap - again, no cotton.  This will make the single biggest difference in your warmth on the water and in camp.

Brimmed Hat and sunscreen to protect from sun.
Gloves if you have poor circulation or are going to be out for a longer period of time.
Sunglasses with a strap.