ABOUT US
MISSION STATEMENT
At Orca Rafts, we believe that packrafting is for everyone and you should choose your own adventure. Our mission is to make this incredible activity accessible to everyone, regardless of their experience level or background.
We are committed to providing high-quality, durable, and reliable packrafts that can withstand any adventure, from calm river floats to challenging whitewater runs.
Above all, we believe that packrafting is about connecting with nature, challenging oneself, and forging meaningful connections with others. We are dedicated to helping our customers experience the joys of packrafting and all that it has to offer.
what is packrafting?
Packrafting is a unique outdoor adventure that makes any body of water accessible through a compact, lightweight, inflatable raft that can be easily carried in a backpack, bike pack, scooter, car, truck rickshaw, glider etc. Starting around 4 lbs and about the size of a paper towel roll and extremely strong and durable, it’s a great adventure buddy. It is inflated once you reach the water. Packrafting is perfect for exploring remote and hard-to-reach waterways, packing to the beach, floating a river, using as the dinghy or tender for your larger boat, or taking with you on your travels to explore waterways anywhere.
Packrafting offers a new level of exploration and convenience, allowing you to discover hidden waterfalls and remote lakes in untouched wilderness areas. It’s also great for simply and easily getting out on the water after work! Packrafting is great for fishing and hunting as it allows you to access areas that might be difficult to reach otherwise.
Packrafts are designed to be durable and versatile, allowing you to navigate a wide range of water conditions, from calm lakes to fast-moving rivers. They are also easy to inflate and deflate, making them an ideal choice for multi-day trips where portability is essential.
Join the packrafting movement and get your Orca Raft today!
OUR STORY
Welcome to Orca Rafts, the premier packrafting company based in Seattle, Washington! My name is Colin, I’m the founder of Orca Rafts.
I bought my first packraft in 2006 to bring with me on backpacking trips throughout the many lakes in the Absorka-Beartooth Wilderness in the Custer Gallatin National forest. I was immediately in love as I was able to access areas I had only seen from a distance and access premier fishing and campsites. I then purchased a whitewater packraft to get a different sort of rush on the yellowstone and absaroka rivers.
I moved to the Seattle area in 2007 and enjoyed exploring the wonders of Washington state, from the gorgeous & mountainous Snow Lake to the Wenatchee and Skykhomish rivers. I met my wife and we eventually moved downtown to a small apartment. All fitting in a small duffle bag, my wife let me keep my packrafts, even though we were in a small apartment. We began using the packraft a few days after work to get out on the waters of South Lake Union and Lake Washington. We even brought the boat to Mexico on vacation with us, and it doubled as a great pool floatie!
In 2017 my wife and I went on a 5 day sailing adventure with an instructor to get our advanced sailing certifications. I told my instructor “no need to tow the tender (dinghy) I’ve got two boats with me.” He laughed and said “what in that duffle?” I showed him the packrafts and he was immediately impressed.
That’s when it hit me, PACKRAFTING IS FOR EVERYONE! Whether you're a sailor, outdoors enthusiast, or a city dweller that wants to get on the water, packrafting is for you. From Colombia to Tahoe to the South of France, my packraft has been a travel companion to ensure I can get on the water wherever I am.
Since the sailing trip, I’ve been tinkering with packraft designs and created over 40 packrafts to perfect the design and functionality. Come join us at Orca Rafts and choose your adventure.