Gourmet Kayaking
A three-day, two-night guided kayak camping trip in the San Juan Islands, with hyper-local gourmet meals and Washington wines. Novice and experienced paddlers are welcome.
From the field
Guests, finds and plates from recent seasons.
What runs when
Mushrooms and tides keep their own calendar. This one is built from it.
Nothing public runs this month. Private events run all year, and gift cards wait for the season. Plan a private event
See the whole year as a table
| Experience | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Mushroom Foraging 101 | runs | runs | runs | |||||||||
| Chef-Led Intro to Gourmet Mushroom Foraging + Cooking | runs | runs | runs | runs | ||||||||
| Spring Wild Edibles: Forage & Feast | runs | |||||||||||
| Crazy for Chanterelles Hunt | runs | runs | ||||||||||
| Morel Mania Hunt | runs | runs | ||||||||||
| Matsutake Madness Hunt | runs | runs | ||||||||||
| Oyster & Clam ShinDIG | runs | runs | runs | |||||||||
| Gourmet Kayak Expedition: San Juan Islands | runs | runs |
What a day with us has that a walk in the woods does not
The only fully licensed, insured and permitted foraging operator in Washington
Permits for the land, insurance for the group, and more than 20 years of running food experiences here. You are not trespassing and you are not guessing.
We scout the ground days before you arrive
Guides walk the location ahead of every date and take you where the mushrooms are fruiting that week. No aimless wandering.
No more than eight guests per guide
On the hunts the guide-to-guest ratio tops out at 1:8, so you can ask about every mushroom you pick up.
A 95% find rate, and nobody goes home empty-handed
Nature does not take bookings, so we promise no quantities. On the rare thin day you still leave with mushrooms to cook.
Taught for first-timers
We teach edible against not edible in plain words, with the lookalikes side by side. The Latin names can wait.
The food is part of the day
Chef-led classes end in a live cooking demo you join in, with mushrooms prepared four or five ways. On the beach you taste raw oysters from a local farm, then dig your own to take home.
Safety kit on every hunt
Every guest gets a high-visibility vest and a whistle, and the guide carries a Garmin inReach satellite communicator. Baskets, knives and gloves are provided too.
Before you book
Are children allowed?
Yes on most experiences. Kids tend to enjoy the Oyster & Clam ShinDIG most, and the minimum age there is 13 because the beach is covered in sharp oyster shells. Each experience page lists its own age limit.
How fit do I need to be?
Most experiences are active: expect to be on your feet outdoors for two to four hours. On mushroom days we walk off-trail for up to a mile and spend a lot of time crouching and standing.
What should I bring?
Proper footwear is the one thing you cannot skip. Then a small backpack, a water bottle, sunscreen, gloves, a hat, layers for the weather and waterproof outerwear. Each experience has its own prep list.
Are pets allowed?
No. Please also leave cigarettes, drugs and alcohol at home.
Can I change the date?
Space permitting, you can usually move your date up to five days before the event (45 days for the Gourmet Kayak Expedition). If no other date works, you can send someone in your place.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation insurance is offered when you book. With it you can cancel up to 72 hours before your event (60 days for the Gourmet Kayak Expedition). Without it, sales are final, and you are welcome to send someone else.
What if it rains?
We run in light rain or shine. If the weather is heavy enough to put safety at risk, we cancel and refund you in full.
Cannot decide? Give the choice away
Gift cards work for every experience and never expire.