Things to do nearSan Juan Islands

The San Juan Islands are an archipelago of more than 170 named islands and rocks sitting in the Salish Sea between Washington State and British Columbia. Only a handful are accessible by Washington State Ferry, with San Juan Island, Orcas Island, and Lopez Island drawing the most visitors. The region has a layered history shaped by Indigenous Coast Salish peoples, British and American territorial disputes in the nineteenth century, and a later wave of farming and fishing communities that still leave their mark on the landscape today.

On land, Orcas Island is home to Moran State Park, where forested trails climb to the summit of Mount Constitution and open onto sweeping views of the surrounding waterways and the distant Cascade and Olympic ranges. San Juan Island National Historical Park preserves the sites of both the American and British camps from the so-called Pig War boundary dispute of the 1850s, offering a quirky and fascinating chapter of Pacific Northwest history. Lopez Island, flatter and quieter than its neighbors, is popular with cyclists who appreciate its gentle roads and the warmth of its small local community.

The waters surrounding the San Juan Islands are among the best places in North America to observe orca whales in the wild. Southern Resident killer whales frequent the channels during summer months, and numerous whale watching tours operate out of Friday Harbor. Sea kayaking, sailing, and wildlife cruises round out the options on the water, while tidepooling along rocky beaches reveals sea stars, anemones, and hermit crabs up close.

The dining scene across the islands leans on what the surrounding waters and farms produce, from fresh oysters and salmon to locally grown produce. For anyone seeking a combination of natural drama, outdoor activity, and genuine remoteness within reach of Seattle, the San Juan Islands offer an experience that is hard to replicate anywhere else on the West Coast.