Name: 48 Top Things to Do in the San Juan Islands
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48 Top Things to Do in the San Juan Islands

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Skip to contentThe San Juan Islands are located off the coast of Washington State, bordering Vancouver and Victoria BC islands. These islands are one of the true natural wonders of the world and definitely worth a visit, especially if you love the outdoors.Made up of 172 named islands, the San Juan Island archipelago is an incredible playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Kayaking, bird and wildlife viewing, camping, sailing, hiking, fishing – you name it – there are tons of things to do in the San Juan Islands.Table of ContentsWhile there are 172 named islands and reefs in the county, and up to 400 total islands, there are only five islands that are reachable by ferry, so those are the largest islands and they all have abundant accommodations and restaurants, plus they host the majority of the things to do in the San Juan Islands.Located just 60 miles north of Seattle, a short ferry ride from Anacortes, WA or Sidney, BC, the San Juan Islands are a convenient and relaxing vacation spot in the Pacific Northwest.The islands have really not been exploited or overrun by tourists and they still exude an untapped charm and local feel that is hard to come by these days.Another thing that draws people to the islands is the resident&nbsp;Orca pod, called the Southern Resident Killer Whales. There are said to be over 80 whales in this pod that have made the San Juan Islands their home.San Juan Island is the biggest of the islands and has the most available conveniences for tourists. The main town is Friday Harbor, which has everything you might need – plentiful accommodations, restaurants and the bulk of the tour operators.The main town on the island is Friday Harbor, which makes a great place to stay. You’ll be centrally located and there are many restaurants.Snug Harbor Resort is located on the West side of San Juan Island on peaceful Mitchell Bay and is a gorgeous place to stay.Orcas Island is the largest of the San Juan Islands and is often referred to as the Emerald Isle because of its dense, lush landscape, filled with forests, lakes and hilly terrain. You’ll never be wondering what to do on Orcas Island because there are activities galore.One of the area’s best resorts, Rosario Resort, is also located on Orcas, so if you’re looking for luxury, you’ll find it there.There are a few great B&amp;Bs to check into, like the Kingfish at West Sound or the Kangaroo House. It’s not as large as San Juan Island, but there is a quaint little town and plenty to do.Lopez is called “the Friendly Isle” because its 2,500 year-round residents are so nice and friendly. The island is 15-miles long and is the flattest of the islands, which means it’s a great place to ride around on a bike.You’ll find a little bit of everything on Lopez, from farmland to nearly deserted beaches to amazing views of the distant mountain range and Mount Baker. Lopez also has a farmer’s market that’s in operation from May to September.There isn’t as much going on here as other islands. If you’re looking for a quiet place to just relax for an overnight stay, Lopez is your place.Shaw is the smallest of the four main islands at just over seven square miles. While there are less amenities for visitors to Shaw, you will find a peaceful and quiet place to relax.Most visitors choose to make Shaw a day trip from one of the other islands because of the lack of accommodations. There is a campground on Shaw though, in Shaw County Park, along the waterfront, so if you’re wanting a quiet place to commune with nature, you’ll find it there.Like the other small islands in the San Juans, Lummi Island is quiet and small. You can reach it via a small regional ferry from Bellingham, Washington, that holds a couple dozen cars. It’s only about 9 square miles, with just a handful of residents and no real tourist attractions.The main reason to visit Lummi is to take in the amazing views and unspoilt beauty that surrounds you. But don’t plan on doing much else.A great place to stay on the island is Nettles Farm. It’s secluded and gorgeous. For a quiet, chill weekend, it’s just the place.One thing we’ve learned from visiting the San Juan Islands is that each is quite different and unique in its own way. Where you should go depends greatly on what you hope to get out of the experience. If you live in the Northwest, I highly encourage you to visit each of the islands and see what makes them individually so wonderful.If you’re visiting for the first time and don’t have time to see them all, the best island to visit is San Juan Island, because it contains the most things to do and see in one place.You’ve already seen by now that there are dozens of outdoor activities in the San Juan Islands. Hiking, biking, kayaking&nbsp;and&nbsp;whale watching are some of the most popular activities, but basically if you can do it outside, you can do it here. Just to give you a few ideas, here are the top things to do on each island.With so many islands, you might be wondering how to make it all fit into an itinerary. Here is what we would do:Day 1: Arrive on San Juan Island and explore the charming town of Friday Harbor. Visit the San Juan Islands Museum of Art, Whale Museum, and San Juan Historical Museum. Take a stroll along the waterfront and watch the boats come and go.Day 2: Take a ferry to Orcas Island and explore Moran State Park. Hike to the top of Mount Constitution for stunning views of the San Juan Islands. Visit Eastsound Village for shopping and dining.Day 3: Take a ferry to Lopez Island and explore the island by bike. Visit Lopez Village for shopping and dining. Go hiking at Spencer Spit State Park or Iceberg Point.Day 4: Take a ferry to Shaw Island and visit the Shaw Island County Park and Library. Explore the island by bike or foot. Visit the Shaw Island General Store for a coffee and some ice cream.Day 5: Spend the morning relaxing on the beach at South Beach or Roche Harbor on San Juan Island. In the afternoon, go on a whale watching or kayaking tour. Depart from San Juan Island in the evening.Most visitors to the San Juan Islands drive to get there, which obviously involves taking your car on the ferry, but you can also walk on the ferry or take a scooter, motorcycle or bicycle, as alternatives to driving. The ferry terminal is located in Anacortes.The ferry is the least expensive way to get to the islands, but you can also take a seaplane or other private transportation, like a boat (The Victoria Clipper) or helicopter. It’s not necessary to take your car to the island, unless you want a convenient and quick way to get around without the hassle of public transportation.It might be worth it for you to leave your car in the ferry parking lot and walk on, or take a bus to the terminal. Parking fees are roughly $10 for up to 24 hours; $25&nbsp;for&nbsp;up to 3 days; $40 per&nbsp;week.Keep in mind that it costs extra to take a car on the ferry. As of this writing, it costs about $14.50 for an adult to go to Friday Harbor on the ferry. It’s $2 extra to take a bicycle. To take a car would cost about $41-52 for the car and driver (extra for passengers). To take a motorcycle costs $22.15 for bike and driver. All of these are return trip prices (you don’t pay again on the return trip).You’ll want to check the ferry schedule regularly before getting to the terminal. In the summer months (especially July &amp; August), lines form at the ferry and the wait can be up to 2 or 3 hours for cars. If you’re walking, biking or are on a motorcycle, you can skip past the lineup of cars and go directly to the front of the line. This is my single best piece of advice for getting quickly and easily to the islands.We take our motorcycle and are always very relieved when we bypass the 2-hour line and get right on. If you don’t have a motorcycle, consider renting a scooter or moped.The best way to avoid a long wait and to guarantee your spot on the boat is to make a reservation or buy walk-on tickets in advance online. &nbsp;This is particularly important during the busiest times, which are weekday afternoons and early evenings, and any time on Fridays and Saturdays. Holidays and mid-summer weekends can be a real nightmare on the ferry system, so do yourself a favor and reserve in advance.The ferry leaves from Anacortes and stops at Lopez, Shaw and Orcas along the route to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Not every ferry stops every time, so be sure to check the schedule. Some express ferries offer service directly to Friday Harbor.&nbsp;Once you’re on the island, you can take an onward ferry to another island or head back to Anacortes. You can also get from the Islands to Sidney, BC, but you’ll need a passport to enter Canada.The climate is temperate year-round in the San Juan Islands. Rarely does it go above the 70s or below the 40s, and there is less rain than in Seattle due to the islands being inside the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains. That means there’s rarely a bad time to visit the islands, and outdoor activities go on year round.For me, the middle of summer is the prime time to visit the islands because the weather is usually just perfect – warm enough to get out and enjoy just about any activity without much rain in the forecast, but that can also be the most popular time, so the ferry lines are longer.If you want to avoid the ferry lines, go to the San Juan Islands on the shoulder seasons, which are from May to June and September to October.San Juan Island is known for its mix of natural beauty, historical significance, and recreational opportunities has made it a sought-after destination for nature lovers, history buffs, and those seeking a peaceful retreat in the Pacific Northwest.Yes, the San Juan Islands are worth visiting. If you appreciate nature, wildlife, history, and a slower-paced island lifestyle, then the San Juan Islands will likely be a destination you’ll thoroughly enjoy.Ultimately, the best time to visit the San Juan Islands depends on your preferences for weather, crowd levels, and specific activities. If you want to experience the lively atmosphere, go whale watching, and enjoy the peak tourist season, summer is ideal. If you prefer milder weather and fewer crowds, consider visiting during the spring or fall seasons. For a more tranquil and introspective experience, the winter months may be the right fit.A weekend getaway of 2 to 3 days is sufficient to experience the highlights, including whale watching and nature exploration. A midweek or long weekend trip of 4 to 5 days allows for a deeper exploration of historical sites and arts and culture. A week-long vacation of 7 days offers full immersion in the island’s beauty and outdoor activities, while an extended stay of 10 days or more is perfect for a comprehensive experience, including leisurely exploration and relaxation.With so many things to do in the San Juan Islands, it’s a really spectacular place to vacation, all year round. You’ll see more natural beauty around you than you’ve ever imagines and catch glimpses of wildlife in abundance.If you have any questions about traveling to the islands, feel free to contact me. Have you already visited the San Juan Islands? Tell us about your experience in the comments.Planning is the most important part of any successful trip. Do it the easy way:🧳 Travel Packing List | ✔️ Why You Need Travel Insurance | ✈️ What to Do Before You Leave Home12 Amazing Things to Do in Victoria BC43 Fun Things to Do in Seattle7 Epic Activities in Banff National Park8 Reasons to Visit Olympic National ParkLike this post? Why not save it to Pinterest?FOLLOW US&nbsp;on&nbsp;Pinterest,&nbsp;Instagram,&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;for more great travel inspiration and tips.Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries.48 Top Things to Do in the San Juan IslandsVourneen | Words About Travel I never knew there were so many islands of the coast of Seattle. Mount Baker looks seriously impressive. Why do islands make great places for producing alcohol I wonder? Scottish Isles produce epic Whisky, Ireland has Guinness, Carribean has great rum and San Juan island produces its own gin!07/25/2015 at 1:23 pmReplyBobbi Gould I am from Oregon and have never even heard of the San Juan Islands! Who would have thought? I love that you give detailed information about them and cover nearly every topic someone going there might need more information about. THANKS!07/25/2015 at 2:02 pmReplyKarilyn This looks amazing. There is so much here that I want to see and do. Shockingly, I have been all over the world and still haven’t made it up to even Seattle! I must get up there asap!07/25/2015 at 9:37 pmReplyCarolann &amp; Macrae - One Modern Couple We didn’t realize there were these amazing islands to visit off the coast! We’ve got to explore more of our home continent and you’ve provided quite a few things to keep us busy while we’re visiting the San Juan islands! they sound and look like amazing islands to visit!07/26/2015 at 4:24 amReplyJennifer @ Made all the Difference Travel Blog I really regret not going out the San Juan Islands while I was living at Mount Rainier. I really want to hike to the top of Mount Constitution. I really want to see the Orca’s.07/26/2015 at 4:32 pmReplyStacey jean Inion Lopez Island sounds like a great quiet getaway. I had no idea these intriguing islands were in the Northwest. Also sounds like it would make an ideal orca-watching spot. Thanks for such an inviting and inspiring post.07/26/2015 at 11:11 pmReplyLindsay Nieminen We drive down from Canada to visit Anacortes often, but never have time to visit the Islands! we may just have to change that later this summer! it’ such a beautiful part of the USA! a quiet weekend (and maybe some whale watching) sounds like a great way to have some downtime!07/27/2015 at 1:15 pmReplyKelsey of Route Words I’ve always wanted to visit the islands off of Seattle! Now this post makes me want to visit even more. I think Orcas Island and camping in Moran State Park is at the top of my must-visit list!07/27/2015 at 1:17 pmReplyAdelina I haven’t been to the San Juan Islands, but I’ve been to the Canadian equivalent the Gulf Islands which were beautiful. Would love to see the ones south of the border one day (once the dollar gets better!).09/18/2015 at 11:35 amReplyLiesel We sailed around the San Juans last summer and it was so amazing we’re planning to make it an annual trip. The only populated harbor we stayed at was Roche Harbor on San Juan Island, and the harbor was really crowded, but they worked with me to squeeze us in at the dock. Its a town catering to tourists and so groceries and gas are spendier than on the mainland. But it is very historic and scenic, and the lowering of the flags at nightfall is a fun spectacle. You can also walk around and see the historic lime kilns and learn about the history of the Pig War, which happened there. We saw abundant wildlife everywhere, a minke whale, bald and golden eagles, seals galore and surprisingly lots of porpoises. We heard a pod of Orcas hunting seals when we were anchored, and just missed them at a couple locations, but never actually glimpsed them. The scenery and wildlife are really incredible and totally worth the visit.04/12/2018 at 4:07 pmReplyAlison Friday Harbor is home to the Friday Harbor Jolly Trolley. It’s an old fashioned, open aired, educational guided trolley ride which is GREAT for those worried about Covid. There is constant air flow all of the time. So no need to worry!08/08/2022 at 7:01 pmReply

Skip to contentThe San Juan Islands are located off the coast of Washington State, bordering Vancouver and Victoria BC islands. These islands are one of the true natural wonders of the world and definitely worth a visit, especially if you love the outdoors.Made up of 172 named islands, the San Juan Island archipelago is an incredible playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Kayaking, bird and wildlife viewing, camping, sailing, hiking, fishing – you name it – there are tons of things to do in the San Juan Islands.Table of ContentsWhile there are 172 named islands and reefs in the county, and up...

48 Top Things to Do in the San Juan Islands

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