Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE OTHER SAN JUAN ISLANDS: SEA-KAYAK TRIPS &
CHARTER BOAT CRUISES
If you want to explore some of the other 168 islands that are not served by the
ferries, you'll need a boat. Sailboats, powerboats, and sea kayaks are all popular
vessels for exploring these other San Juans, and during the summer months, the
waters are full of vessels of all shapes and sizes. Although many of the islands are
private property, a few are, or have on them, state parks with campsites. If you
want to find out about these marine parks, contact the Washington State Parks
Information Center ( & 360/902-8844; www.parks.wa.gov). Those without
their own boat can still visit some of these islands either on a multi-day kayak
tour, on a boat excursion, or on a charter boat cruise.
See “The Active Vacation Planner” in chapter 2, “Planning Your Trip to
Washington,” for information on companies offering multi-day sea-kayak tours
in the San Juan Islands.
Charter boats, both motorboats and sailboats, can also be hired for multi-day
cruises around the San Juan Islands. This is the easiest (though not the cheap-
est) way to see some of these outer islands. Anchoring in secluded coves, explor-
ing marine parks, scanning the skies for bald eagles, spying on orcas, porpoises,
and sea lions—these are the activities that make a charter cruise through the San
Juans such a memorable experience.
During the summer, Viking Cruises ( & 888/207-2333 or 360/466-2639;
www.vikingcruises.com) operates 3-day/2-night San Juan cruises that overnight at
Rosario Resort on Orcas Island. Rates are $483 to $527 per person, and though the
trips are usually booked by groups, individuals can often find space on these cruises.
Cruises of from 5 to 8 days are offered by Fantasy Cruises ( & 800/234-3861 or
360/378-1874; www.sanjuanislandcruises.com). These cruises, aboard a 125-foot
cruise ship that carries only 34 passengers, stop not only in the San Juans, but at
other picturesque area ports including La Conner and Port Townsend. Boats can
also be chartered through Anacortes Yacht Charters ( & 800/233-3004;
www.ayc.com), which has both powerboats and sailboats in its fleet.
Know Before You Go
If you're considering adding Victoria or Vancouver, British Columbia, to
your travel plans, be sure you have the necessary documents to make
the trip across the border and back. U.S. citizens born in the United
States need to carry proof of U.S. citizenship (a birth certificate or pass-
port), although often a picture ID such as a driver's license is all that is
asked for at the border. Play it safe and carry a birth certificate or pass-
port. If you are not a citizen of the U.S. or Canada, you need to carry
your passport and valid visa (if you needed a visa to enter the country).
For naturalized U.S. citizens (those not born in the U.S.), a passport or
certificate of naturalization is required. Children traveling with both
parents must have a birth certificate or passport. Children traveling with
only one parent should have both a birth certificate/passport and either
a custody document or death certificate for the absent parent. A nota-
rized letter of consent to travel signed by both parents or guardians is
advised for children traveling without their parents or guardians.
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