9 Islands in San Juan Islands That You Shouldn't Miss

April 18, 2022 Karren Gelb

Start your Pacific Northwest vacation in style, with a seaplane or ferry ride to the San Juan Islands from Seattle. It’s the ultimate way to take in the beauty of this region that Mother Nature has so abundantly blessed. You have a choice of three alluring islands – Lopez, the most rural, a mix of rolling farmland and beaches; Orcas, the largest of the San Juan Islands and replete with verdant mountains and placid lakes; and San Juan Island, where vibrant Friday Harbor welcomes ferry and seaplane guests and offers an array of charming accommodations and gourmet eateries.

Whether it’s whale-watching and sea kayaking, touring an art gallery or browsing a local farmers’ market, the San Juan Islands offer pleasing diversions for every age and interest. For the best chance to view orca whales and other sea life, plan your trip between April and September – a number of tour operators are available throughout the islands. Rev up your energy level with biking tours through rolling meadows and farmland, go birding on San Juan Island, hike the region’s modest mountains – offering outstanding vistas from the top – or go charter fishing for the day. Other favorites include hiking to Lime Kiln Lighthouse on San Juan Island, taking a scenic flight over the area, attending an outdoor summer concert in the park and horseback riding.


Restaurants in San Juan Islands

1. Matia Island State Park

Matia Island, Eastsound, Orcas Island, WA 98245 +1 360-376-2073
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Matia Island State Park

2. Orcas Island Historical Museum

181 N Beach Rd, Orcas Island, WA +1 360-376-4849 http://orcasmuseum.org/
Excellent
74%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 35 reviews

Orcas Island Historical Museum

The largest of the San Juan islands is also one of the prettiest, with rocky terrain for hiking and dramatic shorelines for kayaking and whale watching.

Reviewed By 606kathryna - Dupont, United States

This museum has lots of information of the early settlers and life on Orcas island. They have moved several small original settlers' cabins to the site and have plenty of artifacts. It was larger than I thought it would be. I spent about 45 minutes browsing the exhibits. I really enjoyed the museum and would bring more family to see it. Admission was free but you could give a suggested donation.

3. Cypress Island

WA
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 2 reviews

Cypress Island

Remote and unspoiled island in the San Juan Islands is a paddler's delight.

4. Lummi Island

WA +1 360-758-2815 http://www.lynndeestudios.com
Excellent
38%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 16 reviews

Lummi Island

5. Clark Island State Park

Clark Island, Olga, Orcas Island, WA 98279 +1 360-902-8844
Clark Island State Park

6. Upright Channel State Park

Military Road, Lopez Island, WA 98261 +1 360-902-8844
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

7. Patos Island State Park

Patos Island, Eastsound, Orcas Island, WA 98245 +1 360-376-2073 http://parks.state.wa.us/561/Patos-Island
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

8. Blind Island State Park

Blind Island, Eastsound, Orcas Island, WA 98245 +1 360-902-8844

9. James Island Marine State Park

James Island, Blakely Island, WA 98222 +1 360-376-2073

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