Greg

Kara

Andrew

Freddy

Bonnie

Ben

Spring

Kate

Kona

Why Are We Here?

Alki Kayak Tours is committed to the conservation and preservation of Puget Sound as a working marine ecosystem that supports the industries of Seattle as well as the spawning salmon headed up the Duwamish River. Our guides provide an additional set of eyes on the Sound looking over its well-being for preventable ecological harm. We utilize best management practices and focus on leaving the smallest possible ecological footprint when operating tours. Our tours are a forum where the Puget Sound community and tourists alike can discuss and learn about the history and ecosystems of the Sound. AKT offers meaningful commentary with a goal of having every paddler leave with a greater understanding and appreciation for our unique corner of the world.

Greg Whittaker

Greg began guiding sea kayak tours in '99 in the San Juan Islands with Sea Quest Expeditions and Zoetic Research, while spending the winters up in the mountains. Greg currently acts as the tourism representative for the Washington State Oil Spill Advisory Council and is also involved in the citizens advisory committee for the City of Seattle's Shoreline Master Program Update.

Kara Whittaker

Kara recently earned her PhD in Urban Ecology at the University of Washington. She is currently teaching at the UW in the College of Forest Resources and pursuing a career applying science to local natural resource issues. She especially enjoys helping people understand outdoor adventure education and the advantages and disadvantages for ecotourism.

Andrew Pavone

Fourth season as a kayak guide/naturalist in the Puget Sound area. Graduated with BS from Penn State Uni in 1999. From there moved west working as a naturalist for North Cascades Institute and then numerous years lving and working in the North Cascades and San Juan islands. Most recently working as a project manager on coastal and riverine restoration projects in Puget Sound area and spending as much time on the water as possible kayaking, surfing and/or sailing.

Freddy Carley

Freddy is a Seattle local who got into kayaking about seven years ago. After exploring remote locations during three separate month long kayak tours in Alaska and some paddling in the warm waters in the Sea of Cortez, Freddy decided to focus on his own "backyard", Puget Sound. This is Freddy's second year guiding with Alki Kayak Tours.

Bonnie Loshbaugh

Bonnie Loshbaugh joined us from the the 49th state where she worked as the kayak guide and naturalist at Tutka Bay Wilderness Lodge, near Homer, Alaska. She received her degree in Russian and is working toward adding a degree in Oceanography to her resume. Bonnie volunteers at the Seattle Aquarium and is currently working with the Center for Wooden Boats. If you join Bonnie on a paddle, you are in for a fascinating natural history discussion.

We offer kayak rentals in Seattle and help people learn to paddle a kayak through Puget Sound waters.

Kate Harsch

Kate is in her second season of guiding with Alki Kayak Tours. She is originally from Vermont where she grew up sailing and rafting every summer. After graduating from Wheaton College in Massachusetts, she moved to Seattle on a whim. Kate has always loved working with people and being on the water, so working as a guide is a natural fit. Kate loves introducing people to the sport of kayaking and thinks everyone should give it a try. The unique closeness of the city to the wilderness that we have in Seattle is of particular interest to Kate.

Ben Estibal

Occupation: Kayaker, NW Coastal Art Carver, Home Remodeler

Hobbies: Olympus Press Inc - Solution Provider(Pays the bills)

Kayaker since: 1980

Kayak: Current Designs - Gulfstream

Favorite place to kayak: San Juan Islands in February - Too cold for everyone else, so Seattle/South Sound any other time of the year. This area has a lot to offer without having to travel too far(Time better spent in a kayak than in a car).

Favorite time of day to kayak: Sunrise and Sunset - No one ever wants to get up early, so come out on a Sunset Tour with me.

Spring Courtright

Spring feels more at home in a kayak than anywhere else. She has been a guide and/or instructor for many programs, including snowboarding, dog sledding, backpacking, canoeing, geology, human history and ropes courses, but kayaking and natural history are her first loves. She guided, taught, created and managed kayak classes, tours and kids kayak camps for 7 summers at the Olympic Outdoor Center in Poulsbo. She has her BA in Environmental Education and just received her certificate in Sustainable Business from the Bainbridge Graduate Institute. She also just quit her "real job" as the Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at BabyLegs, LLC to get back on the water, write a book and develop programs to support her friends in Uganda, Africa.

Greg "Kona" Haapla

It was just a matter of time before I ended up here. Some of my first aquatic memories are of my Father and I swimming in Echo Lake I would ride on his back holding onto his shoulders and we would dive underwater together. When I was running out of air I was instructed to tap on his back and we would ascend. It was a lot of fun. That is where I learned to swim. Since that time I have always lived on or near the water. And I am constantly on it or in it. We moved to Lake Sammamish when I was 8 and I soon learned how to water-ski and snorkel. Later in life I moved to Kona Hawaii where I enjoyed body surfing and snorkeling. I've had some interesting experiences night diving for lobster on the Kona coast. When I returned to the mainland I moved to Alki beach and enhanced my scuba diving certification to Rescue diver then Dive master. I love it here in West Seattle. I am an avid diver, snorkeler, windsurfer and Kayaker. Alki beach pretty much has it all. This is my second year of kayaking with Kayak Alki tours. They are a wonderful group of people who are very safety conscience and professional. Don't miss the boat! Come out and join us for a tour TODAY.

Charles "Cory" Johnson

I was born a poor black child in Mississippi....sorry, too dated. No one remembers The Jerk.

Seattle native, graduated from Summit K-12 in '93, not afraid to get my hands dirty, sarcastic, cynical, and a complete smart ass.

"Blessed is the man who can laugh at himself, for he shall never cease to be amused. I find myself giggling a lot."

Samantha Wattson

Samantha has always lived by the water. From Kauai to Jersey to Seattle, she takes advantage of her surroundings and enjoys kayaking, surfing, and scuba diving. She also loves the outdoors, traveling and food. As a Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist, she'll share her knowledge of beach critters with you.

Richard Garrett

A Southern expatriate, Richard moved here 2 years ago from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia. He grew up on the water's edge in South Carolina and spent the season rafting down the likes of the Chattooga and Nantahala Rivers.

As an avid photographer, he is constantly learning the names of flora and fauna in these new surroundings. What a great place to learn about ecology and history in the Puget Sound.