West: San Juan Islands (Washington)

By Michelle Fama

An orca whale within the Sound (Outdoor Odyssey)

There are many features that set the San Juan Islands apart from other top paddling destinations: The close proximity of the islands offers kayakers "hands on" exploration while diversions from the water let you explore what's on shore. Also, there's a good chance of seeing pods of Orca whales, and the islands offer relatively easy access to other fascinating marine mammals like harbor seals, whales, porpoise and river otter. Located in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, the islands receive half as much precipitation of Seattle, making them a relatively warm and dry paddling destination. The charm of the islands lies in their quiet isolation and small villages along the way.

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