The San Juan Islands in Washington State are located approximately 150 miles north of Seattle, in the middle of the vast ocean inlet formed by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound and the Strait of Georgia. They consist of small groups of picturesque islands and rocky shores covered by dense forests and vast agricultural fields. The largest are San Juan Island, Orca Island and Lopez Island.
You can reach the San Juan Islands by flying directly from Seattle by airplane or seaplane. Or drive 100 miles to the north of Seattle, and then head west to the town of Anacortes. From there, the System of Washington State Ferries will take you to any one of the main islands.
There are those who come to the islands just to relax and enjoy the scenery. You can explore on foot, rent a bicycle or simply drive the islands, visiting the dense forests of redwoods, rocky elevations and small fishing villages hidden in confined bays. A lot of people come to fish in the waters adjacent to its abundant shoals for salmon and cod. There are those who rent kayaks to explore the great rocky walls and be in the midst of the magnificent killer whales as they travel through the Straits or to spy on the majestic eagles flying above the island.
What would a trip to the San Juan Islands be without experiencing the magnificent Orcas? There are three groups or families of these magnificent killer whales living in the waters around the islands. Usually they fish for salmon on the west coast of San Juan Island and almost every day they can be seen near the surface or jumping out of the water along the coast.
The best place to see whales from shore is Lime Kiln Point State Park, nicknamed Whale Watch Park. The rocky outcroppings that surround the small lighthouse offers a clear view of the whales’ favorite feeding grounds where they can be seen almost every day. The best way to see the Orcas up close is to take a charter whale watching boat cruise. All of the charters communicate with each other by radio, so they always know where the whales are.
Kayaking is the perfect way to enjoy the islands and wildlife. From a kayak, moving silently through the waters, you can observe eagles, seals, killer whales and other wildlife in an atmosphere of quiet intimacy. You can join a guided half-day expedition or there are kayaking expeditions that will take you out for several days and include camping on island beaches.
There are restaurants, galleries, shops and boutiques on the main islands and an interesting Whale museum in Friday Harbor. There are no traditional hotels on the islands, but there are many quaint inns, bed and breakfasts and vacation rentals.
