San Juan Islands

Travel Guide

San Juan Islands
Orcas Island featuring landscape views, mountains and mist or fog
English Camp showing a lake or waterhole
San Juan Islands featuring boating, fishing and a sunset
Washington showing mist or fog, fishing and a lake or waterhole

Off the coast of Washington, this archipelago offers pleasant holiday 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 €226 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
€226
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Excellent locy"

Reviewed on 9 Aug 2025

Friday Harbor Suites
The Orca Inn

The Orca Inn

2 out of 5
770 Mullis St., Friday Harbor, WA
The price is €135 per night from 12 Aug to 13 Aug
€135
12 Aug - 13 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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. ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,005 reviews)
"In spite of the fact that the rooms were the room was very small and there were not very many options for food or service. My daughter and I had a wonderful time."

Reviewed on 10 Aug 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! (83 reviews)
"Very kind staff. Our trip was for our honeymoon, so the staff decorated our room with rose petals, and they gave us complimentary mimosas and a bottle of wine. Quick access to Friday and Roche Harbor."

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

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.
Beach house,  heated pool, hot tub, private beach, shared dock

Beach house, heated pool, hot tub, private beach, shared dock

Friday harbor
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Friday Harbor. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a beach locale. Popular attractions English Camp and Wescott Bay ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (46 reviews)
"Very spacious! Great outside living space. Love the view! The pool was great for the grandkids. Lots of extras. Very peaceful!!!"

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Beach house, heated pool, hot tub, private beach, shared dock
Waterfront Home - Watch a Sunset from the Hot Tub, Private Beach, Mooring Buoy

Waterfront Home - Watch a Sunset from the Hot Tub, Private Beach, Mooring Buoy

Friday Harbor
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Friday Harbor. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a garden. Popular attractions Wescott Bay and Roche Harbor Marina ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (203 reviews)
Great location
"Great property and able to enjoy the area easily . Property is beautiful and access to walks on the beach. Hot tub is bonus which we enjoyed every evening."

Reviewed on 19 Jul 2025

Waterfront Home - Watch a Sunset from the Hot Tub, Private Beach, Mooring Buoy
Cozy Harborside Stay | Secluded Orcas Island Getaway- Harborside 2452

Cozy Harborside Stay | Secluded Orcas Island Getaway- Harborside 2452

Eastsound
Stay at this property in Eastsound. Enjoy patios. Popular attractions Rosario Mansion Museum and Cascade Lake are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"Good price for ocean side rooms. Plenty accomodating"

Reviewed on 15 Jul 2025

Cozy Harborside Stay | Secluded Orcas Island Getaway- Harborside 2452
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