San Juan Islands

Travel Guide

San Juan Islands
Orcas Island showing mist or fog, landscape views and mountains
English Camp which includes a lake or waterhole
San Juan Islands featuring general coastal views, boating and a sunset
San Juan Islands showing landscape views, fishing and mist or fog
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 RM743 per night from 11 May to 12 May
RM743
RM823 total
includes taxes & fees
11 May - 12 May
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! (964 reviews)
"It is a few blocks from the downtown area so it's quieter than others. The design is nice and the hotel has a good deal of amenities. The room seems a bit aged"

Reviewed on 21 Apr 2025

Friday Harbor Suites
The Orca Inn
The Orca Inn
2 out of 5
770 Mullis St., Friday Harbor, WA
The price is RM393 per night from 16 May to 17 May
RM393
RM436 total
includes taxes & fees
16 May - 17 May
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! (954 reviews)
One night on Friday Harbor
"The accommodations were adequate for my one night business stay. I would stay here again. Taking in sunset from Line Kiln State Park was the highlight."

Reviewed on 23 Apr 2025

The Orca Inn
Inn to the Woods B&B
Inn to the Woods B&B
3.5 out of 5
46 Elena Drive, Friday Harbor, WA
Stay at this 3.5-star B&B in Friday Harbor. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Reuben Tarte Memorial Park and Mt. Grant Preserve ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (78 reviews)
"Very comfortable and cozy. Great host. Good communication and very welcoming. Access is a bit difficult if you have mobility issues but they were very accommodating to allow us to use a different access"

Reviewed on 11 Nov 2024

Inn to the Woods B&B
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! (93 reviews)
"Best sunsets!"

Reviewed on 14 Jan 2025

West Beach 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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do