Tours - Vashon Island Kayak

EVENTS
Free Yak Demo "Water Daze"
Discover Yourself in a Sea Kayak! ... FREE. Hesitant or a little short on payola? Then let us introduce you. We have single kayaks, double kayaks, family kayaks (3+ seats), and sit-on-top kayaks. Try one, try them all. We'll give you pointers. Sponsored by the Vashon Park District.
Skill: None
Where: Jensen Point Boathouse
When: First Sunday in June, 6/4/06 1 pm - 4 pm
Cost: Free

SUGGESTIONS FOR YOU!
We do most of our Trips and Tours on a custom basis for groups of people who want to paddle as a group on a certain day. Use the list of trips and tours that follows as the menu for the kinds of things we do. We’re a small company and are already booked up many days this summer. The prices on the list are for groups of 4 or more. If you want to have a more private experience, it just costs a little more per person for one, two or three people to cover the cost of the guide.

GUIDED DAY TOURS
All of our guided tours are designed for maximum fun while giving you the opportunity to learn something new about the local Northwest culture and gain some basic paddling skills. We want you to be comfortable and safe while enjoying your sea kayaking experience.

Beginners Welcome! - For the jump right-in adventuresome folk we provide basic paddle stroke instruction and safety orientation before we head out.

Experienced Beginners - You're getting hooked. You may have had an introductory paddling class and have a couple of tours of 6 plus miles under your belt.

Intermediate - Good basic strokes, you've completed several paddles including a short overnight or two. Proficient at assisted rescues. Wet doesn't bother you, you like it.

Advanced - You're ready for the mix-master rock garden and surf zone with effective bracing and recovery strokes. Solo rescues are part of your bag of tricks.

We provide all the sea kayaking equipment you need: boat, paddle, life jacket and other safety accessories.

Reservations are required for all tours.

For most tours, unless otherwise stated, you will need to bring:

Layered sports clothing that is warm and hydrophobic (does not hold water like cotton) such as wool, polypro or other synthetic. Even in mid-summer during the day the ocean weather can be cool.
Raincoat and rain hat "just in case!"
Shoes that will get wet. You have to wade out to about mid-calf to get into a kayak. Mukluks, booties or aqua socks are best.
Sun hat, sunscreen and sun glasses for day tours. The sun's water-bounced rays can add up quickly to a burn or strained eyes.
Filled water bottle, high-energy snacks (and lunch if an all day tour.)
Spare clothes in a plastic bag for one of the million and one in a million mishaps.
For nighttime paddles a flashlight or headlamp is important and required.

Gunkholing Quartermaster Harbor
Vashon Outpost's most popular trip for beginning paddlers. Protected waters. Four-star scenery. A harbor that looks like Cape Cod except that Mt. Rainier is a dead give-away. Highlights include: Burton Marina Yacht Club, Judd Creek, and Melita Creek near the largest heron rookery in King County.
Skill: Beginners Welcome! / 5 miles
Where: Jensen Point Boathouse at Burton Acres Park
When: 10:00AM - 3:00PM Email us for upcoming dates
Cost: $60 - Reservations Required.

Day Journey Blake Island
You may have seen it 100 times from the ferry, wondered, even dreamed about this small island in mid Sound. We can tell you, "it's special." Let us show you with the thrill of an open-water crossing to the sandy point of Blake's "sunset corner." Ahhh! The sand. The beach. The goofy and outrageous boats at anchor. ARUBA! Then we will paddle around the north side for a visit to Tillicum Village, finally returning home invigorated from a day of discovery.
Skill: Experienced Beginners / 6 miles with an open water crossing.
Where: Vashon
When: Tillicum Village Salmon Bake
Take our Day Journey Blake Island and combine it with a feast of salmon baked in the tradition of native northwest Indians at historic Tillicum Village. We'll arrive in time for the 12 noon feed of salmon smoked over an alder fire and also witness the live show, "Dance on the Wind." Later, we'll paddle back to Vashon under the stars...
Skill: Experienced Beginners / 14 miles with an open water crossing
Where: Vashon
When: Reserve any weekend day with a party of 4 or more.
Cost: $100 plus lunch. Reservations Required.

Terrific Tacoma Narrows
SURF'S-UP! Let's get a little wet, maybe a lot wet as we play in the rips under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. This is the day to push and pull it, to work for the ride and improve bracing skills. We might actually learn something about lean. YAHOO!
Skill: Intermediate / 9 miles / Currents up to 5 miles
Where: Jensen Point Boathouse / Meets at Tahlequah Ferry Dock
When: Email us for upcoming dates
Cost: $125 - Reservations Required.

GUIDED EVENING TOURS

Harbor Moonlight
Quietly paddle Vashon's Quartermaster harbor bathed in moonglow. It's magic. Bring your favorite moon story, poem or myth to share.
Skill: Beginners Welcome! / 2 hours- 5 miles or so
Where: Jensen Point Boathouse
When: Email us for upcoming dates
Cost: $50 - Reservations Required.

GUIDED MULTI-DAY TOURS
Our multi-day tours just multiply on the fun and adventure. What will you need? See our Gear List We will also provide you with a specific list and itinerary when you sign-on.

Blake Island 2-Day Kayak & Sand Wig-Out
We know avid kayakers who annually paddle the length of Puget Sound, starting at Port Townsend. They consider Blake Island TOPS on their itinerary. After all, it's the birthplace of Chief Seattle, has a marine trail campsite on a sandy beach, and 25-cent hot showers. Join us for an adventure with so much, so close to home-5 miles of nature paths, great beaches to laze and daze on, and Tillicum Village, a Native American cultural experience.
Skill: Experienced Beginners / 7 miles depending on outpost / 2 Days
Where: Departs from the Vashon Island north end ferry dock
When: Email us for upcoming dates
Cost: $200 - Reservations Required.

The Vashon Water Trail
"It's not a trail at all in the ordinary sense," writes Greg Johnston, Seattle P.I. "Instead of walking on top of it, the kayaker is sitting in it, being jostled by it, splashed by it. It is not stationary, but often moving, and taking the paddler along to some extent." What is unique about it is that the Vashon area has three Cascadia Marine Trail sites within a day's paddle of each other. We will visit two: Lisabeula and Winghaven on this trip.
Skill: Experienced Beginners / 15 miles / 2 Days
Where: Departs at Vashon's north end ferry dock.
When: Email us for upcoming dates
Cost: $165 - Reservations Required.

Groups

Custom Tours: Parties, weddings, anniversaries, corporate get-aways, youth programs ... the list is endless. For years we have been carefully catering to groups of all sizes who share an ocean fascination and believe frolicking in a sea skimming craft is tantalizing. Let us help plan your next special event.
Skill: Beginners Welcome! to Advanced
Where: Your Pick
When: Your Call
Cost: Special Group Rates.