Join Whitman College alumni, parents and friends, and Dana Burgess, professor of classics, for magical days on the water and nights sleeping out on beaches in the premier kayaking destination in the U.S.—the San Juan Islands.

The beautiful environment, temperate weather and fascinating variety of marine mammals and bird species all add to the allure of the islands. Bounded by the Cascade Mountain Range and snowcapped Mt. Baker to the east and the Olympic Range to the south, the San Juan Islands are an idyllic sea-kayaking destination. Vancouver Island protects the islands from extreme weather off the Pacific, and it is generally calm and relatively dry.

On this tour, you'll have superb opportunities for seeing a wide variety of marine mammals, birds and other wildlife that frequent the San Juan Islands. Outdoor Odysseys is the outfitter for this Whitman adventure. Naturalist guides will share their knowledge of the local environment throughout the trip to increase your appreciation of the marine life you will be encountering—as well as cooking delicious Dutch oven dinners at the end of each day! Professor Snow will enhance the science and natural history lessons with stories about nature, the land, and the original inhabitants of the land. Participants are expected to help with the team effort of loading and unloading the boats, pitching tents, and general camp chores.

It's been said that kayaking is the closest you'll ever come to actually being a marine mammal. Try it with Whitman!

The timeless pull of tide and current and the briny smell of the sea are your constant companions for four glorious days as we explore these enchanting islands.