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The San Juan Islands are an archipelago in the Salish Sea between mainland Washington and Vancouver Island, made up of hundreds of islands and rocks, only a few of which are served by public ferries. Rolling farmland, forests, rocky shorelines and quiet harbors define the scenery. The islands are known for orca sightings and for the Pig War of 1859, a boundary dispute between the United States and Britain that ended without a battle.
San Juan Island is the most visited, and its main town, Friday Harbor, greets ferries with restaurants, shops and the Whale Museum. Lime Kiln Point State Park, on the west side, is one of the best places to watch for orcas from shore. The two sites of San Juan Island National Historical Park, English Camp and American Camp, recall the Pig War, and the open prairie near Cattle Point offers sweeping views. At the island's north end, Roche Harbor is a historic resort village with a busy marina.
Orcas Island is more mountainous. Moran State Park includes Mount Constitution, whose summit tower offers wide views, as well as Cascade Lake, Mountain Lake and Cascade Falls. Eastsound is the main village, and Turtleback Mountain offers quieter trails. Lopez Island suits cyclists, with Lopez Village, Spencer Spit, and coastal walks at Shark Reef Sanctuary and Iceberg Point.
WiserMap travel guideSan Juan Islands Washington Whale Watching and FerriesPlan the San Juan Islands: Friday Harbor, Lime Kiln whale watching, English Camp, Roche Harbor, Mount Constitution on Orcas and quiet Lopez, with ferry tips.Read the guide
The largest town in the San Juan Islands and the ferry port on San Juan Island, about an hour's sail from Anacortes. Its walkable waterfront has shops, cafes, seafood restaurants, galleries and whale-watching tour offices. Reserve a car spot on the ferry in summer, or come as a foot passenger and rent a bike or scooter.
A historic resort village on the north end of San Juan Island, built around an old lime works and the 1886 Hotel de Haro. The busy marina fills with yachts in summer, and the nearby San Juan Islands Sculpture Park has many outdoor artworks along woodland paths. Stay for the flag ceremony at sunset in summer.
A small park on the west side of San Juan Island, often called Whale Watch Park because it is one of the best places in the world to spot orcas from shore. A 1919 lighthouse and old lime kilns sit along the rocky trail. Orcas are seen most often in summer, so bring binoculars and a lot of patience.
Boat tours from Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor and Orcas Island go out to look for orcas, humpback whales, porpoises, seals and eagles in the surrounding waters. Guided sea kayak trips also paddle along the rocky west shore of San Juan Island. Book ahead in summer, and dress warmly, as it is cold on the water.
A small museum near the Friday Harbor ferry dock devoted to the whales of the Salish Sea, especially the endangered Southern Resident orcas. Exhibits include whale skeletons, recordings of orca calls and information about each orca family. It is a good stop before a whale-watching trip and takes about an hour.
Part of San Juan Island National Historical Park, this is where British Royal Marines were stationed during the Pig War border dispute between 1860 and 1872. A white blockhouse, barracks and a formal garden sit on a quiet bay. Walk the trail up Young Hill for views over the islands and Haro Strait.
The American side of the Pig War story sits on open prairie at the southern tip of San Juan Island, with earthwork defenses, historic buildings and a visitor center. Nearby South Beach is the longest public beach on the island, and Cattle Point Lighthouse stands on rocks above the strait. Watch for eagles and foxes.
Moran State Park on Orcas Island is a large forested park with lakes, waterfalls and many miles of trails. A road climbs to the summit of Mount Constitution, the highest point in the islands, where a stone lookout tower gives views of the islands, Mount Baker and the Canadian mountains. Go on a clear day for the best view.
Lakes and falls inside Moran State Park on Orcas Island. Cascade Lake has a swimming area, picnic spots and rowboat and paddleboat rentals in summer, while Mountain Lake has a quiet loop trail. A short walk leads to Cascade Falls in a mossy forest. The falls are fullest in spring after rain.
Two scenic spots on Lopez Island. Shark Reef Sanctuary is a short forest trail ending at a rocky shore where seals and sea lions rest on the reefs. Iceberg Point, on the southern tip, has grassy bluffs and wildflowers with wide views across the strait to the Olympic Mountains. Both are quiet and lovely at sunset.
Eastsound is the main village on Orcas Island, with cafes, bakeries, galleries, a small museum and a Saturday farmers market in season. Nearby, the Turtleback Mountain Preserve has hiking trails through forest and grassy balds with views over the islands. Try the trail to Ship Peak for a rewarding short climb.
Lopez Island is the most relaxed of the main islands, with gentle hills and quiet roads loved by cyclists, where drivers often wave. Lopez Village has a bakery, cafes and shops, and Spencer Spit State Park has a sandy spit enclosing a lagoon, with beach camping. Bring or rent a bike to explore at an easy pace.
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Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
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