Kayaking San Juan Island to Posey Island, Stuart Island, Gossip Island, Henry Island

June 2002

Strawberry Island and Orcas Island kayaking in San Juan Islands

Hard at rest on Posey Island Marine State Park beach

After our Outdoor Odysseys group headed out from San Juan County Park and paddled through Mosquito Pass between Henry Island and Roche Harbor, we stopped over for lunch at Posey Island Marine State Park. Posey is a small island northwest of Roche Harbor that has a couple campsites and a composting toilet, plus great views of Spieden Island and the surrounding boat activity. Most importantly for Sue, Mark, Scott, and Kim, even a pebble beach was comfortable enough for a post-paddle nap.

Schooner Adventuress at anchor in Prevost Harbor, Stuart Island State Park

After arriving at Stuart Island State Park and setting up camp at the head of Reid Harbor, some of us went exploring along the park's trails. Along the way, we saw mink, eagles, herons, jumping fish, and crabs. On the other side of the ridge north of Reid lies Prevost Harbor, where the schooner Adventuress was at anchor. Adventuress is used as an environmental and maritime education vessel for teenagers.

Reid Harbor campsite at Stuart Island State Park

This is our campsite at the head of Reid Harbor. We nestled back in the trees along a beach active with wildlife. At night, Josh-the-eternal-pyromaniac always got a fire started for everyone to hang out around and tell stories about everything from wild animal attacks to local politics.

Josh at dusk on Reid Harbor, Stuart Island State Park

Here's Josh checking out the scenery and the anchored boats as dusk falls over Reid Harbor. Beforehand we beachcombed for crabs and tidal zone creatures. The moon later rose and the stars were very crisp between the clouds.

Ruffles the orca whale in Haro Strait by San Juan Islands

We were in the islands during a peak time for seeing the orca pods that live around the San Juans in the late Spring. The day before the kayak trip, we saw a pod from land at Lime Kiln Point, and then the first day in the kayaks we saw a pod in the distance off of San Juan Island. Our last day of the trip was definitely the best one for seeing the orcas, though. Ruffles, the largest male of the pod (pictured here), headed straight for us and then veered off to the side around us. He was followed by another whale that literally went directly under our kayaks. We also got to watch orcas playing by the shoreline plus doing full body rolls and tail slaps out in the open water. It was a great day for watching orcas, in addition to seeing seals and dall porpoise.

Click here for an interactive panorama from Lover's Leap

Click here for pictures of the whole paddlin' gang