Take a Nighttime Journey Near Washington’s San Juan Island on This Dreamy Kayak Tour

When the sun sets and darkness covers Washington's breathtaking landscape, it’s like a whole new world emerges. Above you, the stars put on quite an impressive show, and on the land, many critters come out to explore. Even looking into the water in Griffin Bay, just off San Juan Island, you’ll find a sight that is magical, mystical, and mesmerizing. Here, bioluminescent sea life comes to life, and you can marvel at the sight on a nighttime kayak tour.

Griffin Bay is a quiet, remote area on San Juan Island. It was once the location of Old San Juan Town, but when Friday Harbor became the county seat of San Juan County, it became a less popular place to visit. Today, it is a destination where you can enjoy quiet, spend some time on the water, and experience a bioluminescent and sunset kayak tour.

For three hours, you can spend your time on the water, under the stars, and staring at a light show like you’ve never seen before. You’ll meet your guides in Friday Harbor, where they'll transport you to Griffin Bay. The tour begins at sunset and you’ll be able to paddle toward the fiery sky and may even see seals playing in the water and birds flying overhead. This is the type of scenery you only dream about — the type that makes you fall in love with these islands in Washington State.

However, when the sun sets and the moon begins lighting your way, you’ll want to stop paddling and stare down into the water. It will feel like you are looking into a new world as the waters light up with the bioluminescent sea life below. This is a peaceful adventure that you don’t find very often. The calm of the night, the sounds of the ocean, and the stars above you — it’s self-care at its best.

The Salish Sea, which surrounds San Juan Island, is one of the best places to view the natural phenomenon where sea creatures produce light. This is because the Salish Sea is rich in dinoflagellates, which are a type of plankton that produces a green light when disturbed. The best time to view this phenomenon is during a new moon when little light reflects off the water.

Each individual will need to purchase a ticket for the tour, and I recommend you book your desired date early. During this tour, you will receive all necessary kayaking gear, including a dry bag. When booking through Viator, you will also receive mobile tickets.

Of course, in addition to this nighttime kayaking tour, I recommend you explore San Juan Island — this tour is just the beginning of the many things to do and see here. For example, this is one of our favorite places to watch for whales. Throughout the year, you can see up to five different types of whales near the islands, and there are several whale-watching tour options available. Plus, if you wish to spend time on land, there are bucket-list-worthy hikes, historical sites, and delicious food you can add to your itinerary.

However long you choose to stay in the San Juan Islands, make sure you spend at least one evening on this nighttime kayaking tour where you can spot bioluminescence flora and fauna. It’s a mesmerizing adventure you likely won’t forget. You can learn more about this kayak tour, including availability and rates, on Viator. And if you have another nighttime adventure in Washington State that we should check out, let us know by filling out this nomination form. We’d love to add it to our bucket list this year!