San Juan Islands Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
San Juan Islands
Orcas Island featuring landscape views, mountains and mist or fog
English Camp which includes a lake or waterhole
San Juan Islands which includes boating, a sunset and general coastal views
Washington featuring mist or fog, landscape views and a lake or waterhole
Off the coast of Washington, this archipelago offers pleasant vacation escapes, with clean air, beautiful waters and comfortable temperatures year-round.

Ride a ferry to one of the four main San Juan Islands for a relaxing Pacific Northwest vacation. Stay in one spot, ferry between islands or rent a sea kayak to venture to some of the hundreds of smaller named and unnamed landmasses and reefs.

Start your trip on San Juan IslandOpens in a new window in Friday HarborOpens in a new window, the county seat and biggest town. Visit the Whale Museum to learn about the large mammals living year-round in the waters around the islands. Whale watch from Lime Kiln Point State ParkOpens in a new window or from a tour boat. Look for orcas, humpbacks, minkes, gray whales, sea lions and porpoises. Drive or cycle on the scenic byway to Roche HarborOpens in a new window past lavender and alpaca farms and the English Camp San Juan Islands National Historical ParkOpens in a new window. Learn about the Pig War between the U.S. and Canada over ownership rights to the islands.

Orcas Island is named after an 18th-century viceroy to Mexico and the patron of a Spanish explorer, not after orca whales. However, you can also observe the giant mammals from its shores. Climb Mount Constitution in Moran State Park near Eastsound and notice the town’s historic homes. See the works of more than 45 local artists at Orcas Island Artworks in Olga.

Lopez Island’s 63 miles (101 kilometers) of sandy shoreline offer views of Mount Baker. Bike around the island to farms growing grapes, apples, pears and kiwis. Lopez Village has restaurants, a museum and shops to serve the island’s 2,500 year-round residents and many more tourists.

Bring a picnic onto the inter-island ferry to Shaw Island. If you walk or bike, the ferry is free. Visit the beaches of Shaw County Park, where you can camp overnight year-round. Rent sea kayaks and explore other islands and reefs not served by ferries.

The San Juan Islands are part of Washington State. Traveling here from SeattleOpens in a new window or VancouverOpens in a new window, Canada, takes roughly 3 to 4 hours. Drive to Anacortes, Washington, and ride the Anacortes-Friday Ferry to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.

Friday Harbor Suites
Friday Harbor Suites
2.5 out of 5
680 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA
The price is AU$292 per night from 27 Dec to 28 Dec
AU$292
includes taxes & fees
27 Dec - 28 Dec
Stay at this hotel in Friday Harbor. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free ferry terminal shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (939 reviews)
"Good facility. Staff vvery welcoming and helpful."

Reviewed on 18 Nov. 2024

Friday Harbor Suites
The Orca Inn
The Orca Inn
2 out of 5
770 Mullis St., Friday Harbor, WA
The price is AU$187 per night from 3 Dec to 4 Dec
AU$187
includes taxes & fees
3 Dec - 4 Dec
Stay at this motel in Friday Harbor. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a picnic area. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (927 reviews)
"Exactly whatbwe expected. Older motel that was very clean and reasonable. A very good place to get a good nights sleep."

Reviewed on 28 Oct. 2024

The Orca Inn
Snug Harbor Resort
Snug Harbor Resort
2.5 out of 5
1997 Mitchell Bay Rd, Friday Harbor, WA
The price is AU$387 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
AU$387
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this hotel in Friday Harbor. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a marina. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions English ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (317 reviews)
"Great place to visit! We will definitely be back."

Reviewed on 23 Nov. 2024

Snug Harbor Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
West Beach Resort
West Beach Resort
3.5 out of 5
190 Waterfront Way, Eastsound, WA
Stay at this 3.5-star beach cabin in Eastsound. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a private beach. Popular attractions Orcas Island Golf Course and North Beach ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (88 reviews)
Go.
"The most wonderful place in all the Isles."

Reviewed on 22 Nov. 2024

West Beach Resort
Utter Seclusion on 600 Feet of Waterfront , Free WiFi
Utter Seclusion on 600 Feet of Waterfront , Free WiFi
Friday Harbor
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Friday Harbor. Enjoy a beach locale, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Whale Museum and San Juan Historical ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (145 reviews)
Ideal secluded getaway
"This place was exactly what I had hoped for it to be: a peaceful abode in a picturesque location where I could find solitude and time for creative contemplation. Would love to visit again sometime in the future!"

Reviewed on 6 Nov. 2024

Utter Seclusion on 600 Feet of Waterfront , Free WiFi
Cozy, Secluded, Pet Friendly Cabin with Private Hot Tub.
Cozy, Secluded, Pet Friendly Cabin with Private Hot Tub.
Lopez Island
Stay at this cabin in Lopez Island. Enjoy free WiFi, tennis courts, and patios. Popular attractions Shark Reef Park and Lopez Island Golf Club are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (124 reviews)
A relaxing and secluded stay on Lopez Island
"Our VRBO rental on Lopez Island was a very relaxing place. It was easy to find, The property was in a beautiful secluded spot on the island. Most evenings we drove / hiked to Shark Reef Sanctuary to watch the sunset. 50 years ago I first visited the San Juan Islands, and I hoped someday I would return. ..."

Reviewed on 27 Sep. 2024

Cozy, Secluded, Pet Friendly Cabin with Private Hot Tub.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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