Thanks to its jagged coastline as well as its many islands, inlets and coves, The Pacific Northwest and British Columbia are one of the world's premier sea kayaking destinations. Kayakers enjoy easy-to-challenging waters, spectacular scenery and myriad wildlife viewing opportunities. Grey, Orca and Humpback Whales are commonly seen during their migration seasons, as are a variety of marine birds, seals and porpoises. The best kayaking weather occurs between mid-May and September.

Best Regions: San Juan Islands, Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula, Gulf Islands & Vancouver Island

Best Lodges: Inn at Langley, Alderbrook Resort & Spa, Friday Harbor House, Lakedale Resort, Rosario Resort, Deer Harbor Inn, Hastings House, Brentwood Bay Lodge, Sooke Harbour House, Painters Lodge, April Point Resort & Spa, Poets Cove Resort & Spa, King Pacific Lodge, Nimmo Bay Resort, Sonora Resort

WHITEWATER
~RAFTS, KAYAKS & FUNYAKS~

Whether you're a first-time or seasoned whitewater rafter or kayaker, Washington and British Columbia have a fast-flowing river for you, replete with roaring rapids, drops and waves. With 2 - 3-mile-high volcanoes sending their snowmelt toward the sea each spring, the roaring rivers challenge the extreme to stay the course.  You'll also have time to catch your breath along calmer stretches of water. Don't forget to take in the scenery, which consists of spectacular mountains, green forests and even desert canyons!

Best Regions: Mt. Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest, Central Cascades, North Cascades, Olympic Peninsula, Columbia Gorge, Whistler & Pemberton, Vancouver Island

Best Lodges: Run of the River, Mountain Home, Mt. Springs Lodge, Freestone Inn, Sun Mountain Resort, Suncadia Resort, Alderbrook Resort & Spa, Lake Quinault Lodge, Wickaninnish Inn, Nimmo Bay Resort

SCUBA DIVING

Divers from around the world submerge into the inlet waters of Cascadia’s marine sanctuaries to observe creatures and features found nowhere else, including the world’s largest octopus in the Hood Canal. Underwater parks filled with abundant marine biodiversity can be found all over the Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, San Juan and Gulf Islands.

Best Regions: San Juan Islands, Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula, Gulf Islands & Vancouver Island

Best Lodges: Inn at Langley, Alderbrook Resort & Spa, Friday Harbor House, Lakedale Resort, Rosario Resort, Deer Harbor Inn, Hastings House, Brentwood Bay Lodge, Sooke Harbour House, Painters Lodge, April Point Resort & Spa, Poets Cove Resort & Spa, King Pacific Lodge, Nimmo Bay Resort, Sonora Resort

SPORT FISHING

From 35-pound trout in Lake Chelan to triple-digit halibut off Neah Bay, sport fishermen have hooked many prize fish in Cascadia’s waters. King salmon - a Northwest icon – typically run 25-30 pounds, but 50-pounders do find their way to the filet tables each season.  As do incredible Halibut and Cod fishing makes WA & B.C. any angler's destination for world class sport fishing.  For once in a lifetime experience you can visit a unique floating fishing lodge in the remote waters of British Columbia.

Best Regions: San Juan Islands, Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula, Gulf Islands & Vancouver Island

Best Lodges: Inn at Langley, Alderbrook Resort & Spa, Friday Harbor House, Lakedale Resort, Rosario Resort, Deer Harbor Inn, Hastings House, Brentwood Bay Lodge, Sooke Harbour House, Painters Lodge, April Point Resort & Spa, Poets Cove Resort & Spa, King Pacific Lodge, Nimmo Bay Resort, Sonora Resort

FLY FISHING

For the fly fisherman, A River Runs Through It makes most folks think of another state, but it’s Washington and British Columbia that offer some of the finest fly-fishing anywhere.
The Central & North Cascades, Vancouver Island and The Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia are where some of the most private and desirable fresh water fishing in the world await. Fly fishing or spin fish all day for Rainbow trout, Steelhead, Char and all 5 species of Pacific Salmon: Chinook, Coho, Chum, Sockeye and Pink.   Even take a private heli to a remote wilderness stream teeming with rainbows.

Best Regions: Central & North Cascades, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Olympic Peninsula, Vancouver Island, Vancouver, Northern British Columbia

Best Lodges: Inn at Langley, Alderbrook Resort & Spa, Friday Harbor House, Lakedale Resort, Rosario Resort, Deer Harbor Inn, Hastings House, Brentwood Bay Lodge, Sooke Harbour House, Painters Lodge, April Point Resort & Spa, Poets Cove Resort & Spa, King Pacific Lodge, Nimmo Bay Resort, Sonora Resort

SURFING

Strange as it may sound, Pacific Rim is the nexus of a hot year-round surfing scene in the chilly waters off the Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island. Big rollers and perfect barrels abound, but they're particularly dynamic during the winter storms.  A tiny island with superb breaks, this is a one-stop feast for seekers of ultimate surf. Whether you're a vacationing tyro or a big-name pro, there's a wave here with your name on it.

Best Regions: Vancouver Island, Olympic Peninsula, Washington Coast, Oregon Coast

Best Lodges: Lake Quinault Lodge, Wickaninnish Inn, Kalaloch Lodge, Sooke Harbour House

KITEBOARDING & WINDSURFING

Spectators enjoy the world-class action as much as the boarders do in the Columbia River Gorge, but it’s just one of many places windsurfers and kiteboarders soar across Washington & British Columbia.  Big wind, big airs and big wipeouts, the world famous Columbia River Gorge is where kiteboarders trade that big mast sail that windsurfers use and boom for one little bar with enough horsepower to launch you 50 feet in the air before you know what’s happened.

Best Regions: Columbia River Gorge, Vancouver Island, Olympic Peninsula, Puget Sound

Best Lodges: Skamania Lodge, Wickaninnish Inn, Sooke Harbour House, Brentwood Bay Lodge & Spa,
Long Beach Lodge

CRUISING, YACHTING & SAILING

In 1791, Captain George Vancouver was one of the first European mariners to record his visit to what is now British Columbia and Washington state, leaving behind a legacy of place names such as Vancouver Island and Mt. Rainier. Cruise the Puget Sound and British Columbia and retrace Captain Vancouver's historic voyage, visiting quaint ports, great cities, and remarkable wilderness that has changed little since Vancouver's visit.

Sandy beaches invite rich beachcombing and quiet contemplation. Rocky shores beckon with tide pools and crimson rock crabs. Madrona trees and bright rhododendrons cover rugged hillsides shrouded in emerald evergreens.
Only a few of these beautiful islands are accessible by ferry. The rest are reserved for adventurous souls who long to leave civilization and all its trappings far behind.

Charter your own yacht, set your own course or pick from multi-day sail cruises with onboard biologists from the Puget Sound, through the San Juan and Gulf Islands to the Queen Charlotte Islands, Northern Vancouver Island, Great Bear Rainforest and even SoutheastAlaska, including kayaking and zodiac adventures.  Featuring Washington and BC's wildlife and native culture onboard an expedition cruise vessel.

Best Regions: Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, Gulf Islands, Queen Charlotte Islands, Vancouver Island, Northern British Columbia, Southeast Alaska

Best Lodges: Sooke Harbour House, Brentwood Lodge & Spa, Rosario Resort & Spa,  Friday Harbor House, Painters Lodge, King Pacific Lodge, Poet’s Cove Resort & Spa, Nimmo Bay Resort