Our Story
We run single, multi-day camping and inn-based, and custom tours in the San Juan Islands. Though things have changed quite a bit over the years, but we’ve been doing it since 1980! For 42 years, we have continued to adapt, grow, learn and change with the times in order to provide high-quality experiences on the water for visitors from all over the world. The wild, rugged and natural beauty of the PNW sells itself, we just want to help folks get a little different perspective.
Tim Thomsen established San Juan Kayak Expeditions over four decades ago out of a love for these islands and a passion for sea kayaking. Today, Todd Starnes and his team continue Tim’s legacy operating in the same spirit of protection, exploration, and fun!
Forged from leave-no-trace ethics and a commitment to excellence, SJKE continues to lead the industry, not in size but in quality. Our approach is simple: provide high quality gear, invest in good people and training, be passionate and lead by example and the rest will follow. Our goals have always been to keep the company on a personal level and to insure small group sizes for a more intimate guest adventure.
Today San Juan Kayak Expeditions remains the oldest sea kayaking outfitter in the San Juan Islands, yet the smallest. We specialize in sea kayaking adventures only, and we use years of experience and local knowledge to do them well. From guided three-hour tours to five-day expeditions, to totally private and custom trips, SJKE continues to put adventurous folks like you on the water.
Owner/Operator for over 40 Years
Tim began paddling the San Juan Islands in 1978 and was so captivated by the spectacular beauty and natural wonders of the area that he decided to share his passion with others. He founded San Juan Kayak Expeditions in 1980, San Juan’s original kayaking outfitter. After 40 years of operating San Juan Kayak Expeditions, and 33 years of guiding multi-day trips, Tim says, “I have paddled more miles in the Islands than any other human on earth.” Tim was eventually joined by his wife Sally in this adventure, and together they built the most personable, customer-focused, and experienced kayaking company in the Islands. Since its founding, the company has been focused on small groups, expert guides, quality gear, and experiences on the water that are second to none.
About Todd Starnes and the Adventure Hub
Curated by owner, Todd Starnes, The Adventure Hub is a Pacific Northwest based collection of six adventure travel companies with a combined sixty-years’ experience offering outstanding, small group, single and multi-day guided hiking, road cycling, sea kayaking and mountain biking tours in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The collection includes Bicycle Adventures, Evergreen Escapes, Sacred Rides, San Juan Kayak Expeditions, Seattle Mountain Bike Tours and Cycle Portland. Todd is very hands-on with all of his companies and spends lots of time in the field guiding cycling tours all over the world! Since Bicycle Adventures was the original bicycle tour operator in the San Juan Islands, it only made sense to establish a deeper connection and business ties to the region.
General Manager Cole Wilson
Cole came out from little ole South Georgia in 2016 and never looked back! Looking for a summer gig to get out West after graduating college, he never could have imagined the life that it would lead to. After training and guiding under Tim for a few years, Cole fell in love with the islands and decided to fully commit to building his life here. He is extremely hands on in all areas of the business and loves to get out on the water to guide tours when he is able. Cole’s mantra is “Be the Light” – he strives to set a positive example and lead from the front, both in empowering his small team of employees and in customer-service and providing high-quality experiences for guests who usually becomes family.
