Washington·United States
Photo: Michael Feist from Friday Harbor, USA · Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
The San Juan Islands are a scatter of forested islands between Washington and Vancouver Island, with marine state parks you can only reach by boat. Orcas, harbour porpoises and seals feed in the currents, and the outer islands of Sucia and Matia have some of the best kayak camping on the coast.
In season: Jun–Sep · Peak: Jul–Aug
Sheltered paddling around Lopez and the inner islands, and serious tidal currents and cold water on the open crossings. Fog can roll in quickly, so plan crossings around tides and weather.
Sheltered paddling for a first multi-day trip
Paddling the resident and transient killer whale routes
Exposed open crossings to the outer islands
Take the ferry from Anacortes and join a guided day or multi-day trip from Friday Harbor or Lopez. Paddle the Lopez shoreline first, look for orcas off the west side of San Juan Island, and cross to Sucia only with open-water skills.
Trekking3 routesUnited States
The most glaciated range in the lower 48, a wilderness of jagged peaks and alpine meadows.
Trekking3 routesUnited States
Round Mount Rainier on a 150 km circuit of glaciers, old-growth forest and wildflower meadows.
Trekking3 routesUnited States
A granite basin of turquoise lakes, mountain goats and golden larches, reached over the brutal Aasgard Pass.
KayakingUnited States
Paddling at night through water that glows blue-green with every stroke, in the brightest bioluminescent bay ever recorded.
Kayaking3 routesUnited States
Sea kayaking in front of tidewater glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park, with sea otters, puffins and whales.
Kayaking3 routesUnited States
A week of sea kayaking to the calving faces of tidewater glaciers, with humpbacks, seals and bears along the shore.
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