Frequently Asked Questions

No experience necessary on any of our trips! Safety is our number one concern, which is why on every trip we provide stable double sea kayaks. Double kayaks are often much wider and more stable than single kayaks and are a great jumping off point for beginners or paddlers who enjoy the comfort and stability of double kayaks.

Before every trip our guides will take you through a very thorough on land orientation where you will learn how to outfit yourself, your boat, as well as paddle, steering and safety techniques. Once we are on the water our guides are there to continue your ocean kayaking education and are happy to help give you pointers that will increase your paddling skills.

Keep in mind that most of our half-day and full-day tours are close to shore, therefore are more protected. We tend to see a variety of wildlife closer to the coastline, allowing us to explore the wonders of nature from the comfort of our sea kayaks without straying too far goes here

We do not provide kayak rentals. We have a small fleet of kayaks and thus do not have the capacity to rent them out. Additionally, the strong currents, and quick changing weather patterns of the PNW can be challenging to navigate for beginner paddlers.

We suggest you wear non-cotton clothing such as merino wool, polypropylene or other synthetic layers. Light layers are best so you can peel them on or off as the temperatures change. Refer to our half-day and full-day gear list here. Your feet will get wet so please be prepared with shoes that have backs so you don’t loose them in the water. Teva’s, Chacos, Keens, Vibrams, neoprene booties, old tennis shoes all work great, avoid flip-flops if possible. Wear pants that can either roll up to your knee or shorts so you don’t get clothing wet as you get in and out of your kayak.

Welcome to the wonderful Pacific Northwest, where it often rains to keep our landscape beautifully green and lush! Paddling in rain can actually be quite amazing and allows for the opportunity to see lots of wildlife! Wearing good rain gear will help keep you comfortable and happy throughout the day. Keep in mind that we wear waterproof spray skirts, therefore a majority of the tour only your upper body will be exposed. Most people are surprised that rainy days on the water are their favorite! If the sunshine does decide to come out in the middle of the day, it will be even that more rewarding! Trips run rain or shine and will only cancel due to storms or unsafe sea conditions. For information on our cancellation policy click here.

Double sea kayaks are much wider and more stable than single kayaks and although a tip is very rare, it can happen. Paddles always seem like good “water-fighting” tools, but a water-fight is almost a sure bet for a flip. Getting in and out of your boat can also be a bit tricky, therefore avoid standing up in your kayak and you will be much more stable. Other than that, follow your guides lead as they will teach you tricks of the trade to help you learn how to keep your boat stable, upright and avoid that “out of boat” experience, while helping you navigate tricky paddling situations, to keep you safe and having fun. Still worried, give us a call and we’d be happy to talk you through our safety protocol and walk through anything that may worry you.

Our tandem kayaks have a recommended weight limit of 250lbs per person. The cockpits of our kayaks are enclosed so it’s important for all paddlers to be able to exit the kayak easily in the unlikely event of a capsize. If you have additional questions or concerns about the fitting of our kayaks, please contact us prior to booking.

Yes! Our kayak trips typically include a mix of groups. As a solo guest, we’ll pair you up with either another single guest, or one of our guides.

We require a minimum of two people to run a trip. If our trip is not allowing you to book as a solo guests, it is likely because no one else is signed up. Please email us if interested in a specific trip and we will help override the system. info@moondancekayak.com

Our guides work very hard to curate the best experiences for our guests. While not required, tips are much appreciated by our guides and are often relied on. The typical rate for gratuity is 10-20% of the total trip cost. All tips are shared equally between all guides on the trip.

If you're unsure how to tip or what’s appropriate for your specific trip, feel free to ask us—we’re happy to provide guidance.

Unfortunately we do not allow dogs on our kayak trips. While we love dogs, our kayaks are not set up to accommodate them. We use sit in cockpit sea kayaks.

Yes, we love family fun adventures!  However, not every tour is the best for your child. For most of our day and half-day trips we generally suggest 6 years and older. Every child has different ability levels so let’s discuss a trip that would fit for you and your child’s needs! We are a family friendly kayaking operation and love getting young ones out in a supportive environment. We have taken as young as 5 and have the option to put youngsters in a triple kayak, with two stronger paddlers in the front and rear cockpits. Water in the Salish Sea can be extremely cold, and although kids usually fare better than adults in these waters, we like to make sure they are extra safe. We are happy to organize a private tour for you and your family, which would allow us to paddle in a much more protected area and familiarize your child with the wonders of sea kayaking. Half-day trips make for great family fun for a wide variety of ages and abilities! Send us a reservation request or Contact us at (360) 738-7664 to organize a trip for you and your young family.

Generally we run trips starting the first weekend in May through September 15th. After that we find that the wind and the weather just doesn’t line up for trips that have fixed dates. If we do run a trip outside of our regular operating window, we do not book more than a week in advance to do our best to ensure decent weather.