Located between the Strait
of Georgia to the north and the Strait
of Juan de Fuca to the south, and just west of mainland Washington,
USA and British
Columbia, Canada,
the San Juan Islands
are part of an island chain that, together with BC's Gulf
Islands, form an archipelago that attracts tourists with their supreme
beauty and opportunity for adventure.
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Lucky
Visitors Get an Eyeful of Orca from a Tour Boat1 |
While there are several
hundred islands in the group, only six are inhabited and three of these are
particularly favoured by thrill-seekers — Lopez
Island, San Juan
Island and Orcas Island.
Each boasts its own unique and picturesque terrain, sporting anything from rolling
prairies to steep mountains and everything in between. Traditionally, visitors
looking for excitement make the trek to the islands to participate in the wealth
of sea
kayaking and whale
watching opportunities available, but it would be a mistake to think
that this is where the fun ends. Outdoor-adventurers will delight in all the
islands have to offer, including glorious rounds of golf,
challenging nature
walks, underwater scuba
explorations, scenic bicycle
tours and much more.
Travelers hoping to journey
to the San Juan's for an adventure holiday can learn more about accommodation
options on each island by taking a peak at WorldWeb.com's
San
Juan Island Accommodation Article, which also highlights local sites,
restaurants
and shopping
options, as well as the WorldWeb.com
Accommodation Directory for the islands.
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| A
Ferry Sets Sail at Sunset2 |
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TRANSPORTATION
One of the easiest and most
scenic ways to travel to the three main islands is onboard a Washington
State Ferry. Service from Anacortes
on the mainland to Lopez, San Juan and Orcas Islands commences daily around
5:30am and continues approximately every hour until just after 10pm.
Other options include one
of the daily flights to Lopez Island from the Sea-Tac
Airport, or a seaplane from Lake
Union in downtown Seattle.
Visitors with their own means of transport on the water can dock their boats
at any of a number of marinas
and ports located on each island. San
Juan Safaris Water Taxi provides transportation to various points within
the San Juans, as well as to Vancouver
Island and mainland Washington.
Once on San Juan Island,
travelers can get around via bus courtesy of San
Juan Transit. Those determined to find their own way can hire
a car, while visitors happy to let someone else do the driving may want
to hop in a taxi.
The Orcas
Island Shuttle operates from May until September and drops passengers
off at a variety of locations on the island, while Orcas
Island Taxi will drop visitors wherever they need to go. Car
rentals are available, or for the more adventurous, mopeds and scooters
can be hired at an hourly rate from Orcas
Moped Rentals. Cycling is a popular option for adventure-seekers on
Lopez Island and visitors can either bring their own ride along on the ferry
or seek out a bicycle
rental company.
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A
View of the Islands from Anacortes3 |
ACTIVITIES
Anacortes
The waterfront community of Anacortes,
Washington is the jumping-off point for travel to the San Juan Islands as the
Washington State Ferries that take visitors to and from the islands all depart
from here. The city
is no slouch when it comes to outdoor fun and visitors might want to plan a
few days here before heading out to the San Juans. Some of the activities
offered include sea
kayaking and whale
watching with Island
Adventures Inc—a
company that guarantees a whale sighting or the guests' next tour is free. In
addition, there are a range
of other companies offering whale-watching, scenic and wildlife-viewing
tours.
A number of fishing
charters operate out of Anacortes for anglers looking to benefit from
local knowledge and guidance in their search for the perfect catch, and both
beginner and experienced scuba
divers can descend below the surface and check out the underwater world
at one of 40 dive sites scattered around the area.
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| A
Lone Sea Kayaker Experiences the Beauty of the San Juans4 |
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Lopez Island
Known for being the most rural—as well as the friendliest—of the three
major San Juan Islands, Lopez
Island is located approximately 45 minutes by ferry from Anacortes.
Inhabited by about 2,200 craftspeople, farmers, eccentrics and free-spirits,
the local populace welcomes visitors but asks that they respect the beautiful
and ecologically-fragile island by recycling, conserving water, keeping dogs
leashed and making sure not to litter.
Visitors to the island looking
to spend their days outdoors may want to swim, sunbathe, construct a towering
sandcastle or just relax on the sandy beaches
at Otis
Perkins Day Park and Agate
Beach County Park. The island is home to several additional local parks,
including Spencer
Spit Day Park and Odlin
County Park, where visitors can enjoy some time outdoors.
Bring a rod and reel to
Lopez Island and experience the thrill of hooking a bohemoth catch. Those who
love being on the water can also check out a boat
tour or rent a sea
kayak and take to the waves. Cycling
is a very popular option both as a means of transportation and also as a fun
way of seeing the island. The Lopez
Island Golf Course
offers nine challenging holes and the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while
hitting the links.
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| Sailboats
and Fishing Boats Dot the Waters Around Lopez Island5 |
San Juan Island
With a population of around 7000, San
Juan Island is the most populated of all the islands in the archipelago.
The majority of inhabitants live in the pretty and quaint seaside town of Friday
Harbor, which began life as a local industrial center but now focuses mainly
on tourism. The town, along with the Roche
Harbor Resort, offers some of the best accommodation
options on the island and is an ideal place to begin an adventure tour
of the San Juan Islands as it is accessible by ferry, some flights and seaplane.
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| Boats
Dock at Friday Harbor6 |
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Two popular travel adventure
companies based in Friday Harbor that have cultivated years of experience guiding
visitors into some of the best tours available are San
Juan Safaris and Western
Prince Whale & Wildlife Tours. The former offers guided whale-watching
and sea-kayaking tours with naturalists that boast 30-plus years of experience.
Groups sizes for kayaking range from as few as two to as many as thirty adventurers.
The company's three boats, which accommodate 16, 24 and 49 passengers, can take
families and groups both large and not-so-large out on the thrilling search
for orcas.
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Month |
Avg.
Daily Temperature |
Average
Rainfall |
|
Min |
Max |
| Jan
|
34°F
(1°C) |
45°F
(7°C) |
98
mm |
| Feb |
36°F
(2°C) |
48°F
(9°C) |
71
mm |
| Mar
|
37°F
(3°C) |
52°F
(11°C) |
58
mm |
| Apr |
40°F
(4°C) |
57°F
(14°C) |
48
mm |
| May
|
44°F
(7°C) |
62°F
(17°C) |
44
mm |
| Jun
|
47°F
(8°C) |
66°F
(19°C) |
36
mm |
| Jul |
49°F
(9°C) |
70°F
(21°C) |
24
mm |
|
Aug |
50°F
(10°C) |
70°F
(21°C) |
27
mm |
|
Sep |
47°F
(8°C) |
66°F
(19°C) |
34
mm |
|
Oct |
43°F
(6°C) |
58°F
(14°C) |
61
mm |
|
Nov |
38°F
(3°C) |
50°F
(10°C) |
111
mm |
|
Dec |
35°F
(1°C) |
45°F
(7°C) |
104
mm |
|
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Friday
Harbor Climate Data from www.weather.com |
Providing eco-tours since
1986, Western
Prince Whale & Wildlife Tours specialize in personalized excursions
with small groups. Visitors set out on a 46-ft (14-m) ship sailed by the company's
owner who is determined to make every trip a memorable one. Lucky guests not
only have the chance to see the local killer whale population but may also spot
bald eagles, porpoises, seals, sea lions and more. Sea-kayaking tours and private
charters are also offered.
Much like on Orcas and Lopez
Islands, other guided tours that are popular on San Juan Island — in addition
to whale-watching and sea-kayaking—include airplane
tours and fishing
trips. Tourists looking for something a bit different may want to visit
the local alpaca
and lavender
farms. Bicycle
rental companies on the island do great business as many travelers choose
to see the scenic island on two wheels, while others decide to experience things
from below sea level by making a splash on a scuba
or snorkelling voyage. Visitors who want to soak up some island serenity
at a slower pace can do so over a round of golf at the San
Juan Golf & Country Club.
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| The
Beautiful San Juan Islands7 |
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Orcas Island
The largest of the San Juan Islands, Orcas
Island is shaped like a horseshoe and boasts a population just shy of
5000. The artsy island—which includes a few small towns and hamlets such
as Orcas Village, Westsound, Deer Harbor and Olga—is dominated by the more
than 5200-acre (2100-ha) Moran
State Park. Home to Mount
Constitution, the park is one of the San Juan Islands' top draws, bringing
in travelers excited to explore its farthest reaches.
Stretching over 2400 ft
(731 m) toward Washington's azure skies, Mount Constitution is the highest point
in the San Juans, and those up for a climb should bring a good pair of shoes
and head for the summit on the foot trails created in the 1930s by the Civilian
Conservation Corps. An observation tower, erected by the Corps in 1936, awaits
hikers and offers impressive views of the San Juan and Gulf Islands. Those not
wanting to make the trek up the mountain but who would still like to check out
the view can drive to within 100 steps of the tower and then walk the final
portion.
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See
the Islands from Above in a Seaplane8 |
Camping
is permitted at a number of sites scattered throughout the park. Visitors who
chose to stay in the park can fully take advantage of the wealth of activities
on offer. Over 30 mi (48 km) of hiking trails, 11 mi (17 km) of cycling trails
and 6 mi (10 km) of riding trails wind across the park. Swimming in one of the
park's crystalline lakes is a summertime favorite and anglers will love the
multitude of fishing opportunities. One of the most unique ways to experience
the island is from above on a private
airplane tour. Such adventures are usually pricey but offer unparalleled
views of Washington and British Columbia.
Activities aren't limited
to Moran Park however, and a number of local companies offer everything from
fishing
charters to whale-watching
tours. Sea-kayaking is as popular on Orcas Island as it is on the rest
of the San Juan's and visitors looking for a tiring-yet-rewarding experience
have a number of guided
tours to choose from. Parents who want to keep the kids entertained
but still hope to enjoy some free time can send their children to a local summer
camp. The YMCA
Camp Orkila offers a variety of popular programs including marine science
courses and teen expedition trips.
PHOTOS COURTESY
OF:
- Lucky Visitors Get
an Eyeful or Orca on a Tour Boat; City, San Juan Islands,WA, USA
- A Ferry Sets Sail
at Sunset; , San Juan Islands, WA, USA
- Looking Toward the
Islands from Anacortes; Anacortes, WA, USA
- A Lone Sea Kayaker
Experiences the Beauty of the San Juans; San Juan Islands, WA, USA
- Sailboats and Fishing
Boats Dot the Waters Around Lopez Island; Lopez Island, WA, USA
- Boats Dock at Friday
Harbor; Friday Harbor, WA, USA
- The Beautiful San
Juan Islands; San Juan Islands, WA, USA
- See the Islands from
Above in a Seaplane; San Juan Islands, WA, USA
