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Introduction to Sea Kayaking

Lesson
See all kayak lessons in Seattle
Kid Friendly
Locally Owned
Small Group Sizes
Beginner Friendly
Free Cancellation
Instant Book
Duration: 2.5 hours

Pricing

Adult
$109
Youth

8-18

$99

All Prices

Adult
$109
Youth

8-18

$99

Description

Intro to Sea Kayaking in Seattle, WA– Learn Foundational Kayaking Skills in Elliott Bay

Sea kayaking is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, and this Intro to Sea Kayaking course is designed to give you the skills, confidence, and awareness to get started safely. As one of the leading kayak instruction providers in the region, Alki Kayak Tours focuses on proper preparation, safe paddling practices, and developing comfort and control on the water.
During this 2-hour class, you’ll learn about equipment, proper fitting, paddling techniques, hazard awareness, and basic boat control before heading out onto Elliott Bay for guided on-water instruction. With small group sizes and knowledgeable instructors, this course is ideal for beginners or anyone looking to build a strong foundation in sea kayaking.
This course is recommended for guests who plan to rent single sea kayaks in the future, and the skills taught here are required before taking the Sea Kayaking Rescue & Recovery Course. While it works well as a standalone experience, many paddlers choose to continue learning through additional courses.

Duration

  1. This experience is 2 hours long.
  2. Availability: Sunday, Monday, and Friday

Location / Where to Meet

Alki Kayak Tours

Ages & Requirements

This course is intended for beginners and those new to sea kayaking. It is also recommended for guests planning to rent single kayaks in the future and required for participation in the Sea Kayaking Rescue & Recovery Course.

You must be 18 years or older to be able to use a kayak by yourself. If you are under 18, you must have a parent or guardian sign a waiver for you. If you are between the ages of 16 and 18, a parent does not have to be present, but if you are under the age of 16, a parent must be present in a kayak as well during the activity.
You will be sitting in a confined cockpit for two to five hours at a time. Seats are generally 17 inches wide, and total kayak capacity is about 600 pounds for both paddlers. Come out early if you think you might want to see if you can comfortably sit in the kayak
  1. Helpful tip: Providing your height, weight, inseam, and shoe size ahead of time helps ensure a proper kayak fit.

What’s Included

  1. Professional kayaking instruction
  2. All kayaking equipment needed for the course

Not Included

  1. Personal clothing layers and wetsuit (if needed)
  2. Transportation to the meeting location
  3. Lunch & Snacks
  4. Gratuity

What to Bring / Wear

  1. Clothing appropriate for getting wet (wetsuit, swimsuit, or dry change of clothes)
  2. Eyewear retainer if you wear glasses (e.g., croakies)
  3. Any personal comfort items you may want to paddle with
  4. Closed-toe shoes that you don’t mind getting wet, or sandals with a keeper strap.
  5. Water-resistant jacket.
  6. Reusable water bottle
  7. Snacks
  8. Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses

ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY Alki Kayak Tours

FAQs

Should I bring my phone, keys, or wallet with me?

The general rule of thumb is that you shouldn’t bring anything with you that you don’t want to lose or ruin, as capsizing is always a possibility. We do have free lockers and locks for your time on the water. If you want to bring your phone to take pictures, we sell floating dry bags that allow you to take pictures from your phone while out on the water. These are $17 each.

What if I have never been in a sea kayak?

No experience is necessary! If you are comfortable with a couple of hours of outdoor physical activity, you should be fine. You don’t need to know how to swim. While our trips are not designed to be strenuous, generally good physical condition is needed.

What about capsizing?

Our sea kayaks provide a stable paddling platform, and capsizes are rare. There are no “wet exits” required, and if you follow the guide’s instructions, you will be able to safely paddle through any conditions.

What if the weather is nasty?

Contrary to popular belief, we have pretty darn awesome weather here in the NW if you are geared up correctly. We paddle rain or shine, so bring your breathable rain jacket with a hood. We use spray skirts, and paddling in the NW is a year-round activity. We have a micro-climate rain shadow effect here in West Seattle and are positioned so that southerly low pressure systems break over the peninsula, and we have a “donut hole” of blue over our shop while it may be raining in north/south and east of us. But yes, it does get stormy occasionally, and we will call off trips due to high winds or unsafe conditions.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations made more than 24 hours in advance incur a $10 fee. No refunds are given for cancellations made less than 24 hours before the session, as the spot cannot be resold. No-shows are charged the full amount.

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Availability

October 2026
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Location

Address

Seattle, WA,

US

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