Top Things to do in San Juan Islands
The 10 Best Nature & Parks in San Juan Islands, San Juan Islands
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. San Juan County Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
This park offers some of the best whale watching.
2. Moran State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 582 reviews
Reviewed By debsimmonds
Thus is an awesome park with great hiking options. Some trails have beautiful views of the San Juan Islands others take you through old growth forests next to streams,lakes and waterfalls. Really beautiful. Plenty of deer on the island in including an unusual pure white buck we saw on the Little Summit hike.
3. Matia Island State Park
4. Sucia Island State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By gregorybL4462JE - Eastsound, United States
Hard to get to, but worth the trip. Fossil beds (leave them in place), tranquil camping. Superb views. Salish Sea at tis best.
5. Shark Reef Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 109 reviews
Reviewed By jbk51691
Still trying to figure out why this is named Shark Reef Sanctuary? A definite must visit. Hike down to the water and then continue to the left on the trail till it is in front of the large rock island. There were lots of seals swimming around when we arrived and then they all decided to take naps along the rocks on the island. I counted almost 50 seals!! When hiking from the parking area dont stop right when the trail ends at the water. i saw many do this and they missed the big attraction. Continue on the trail to the left otherwise why bother.
6. Orcas Island Trail Rides
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
7. Reuben Tarte Memorial Park
8. Jones Island State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By go-mhrv - Seattle, United States
if you have a boat, you can get to this small island often looked over and not so visited. It is set up with full restrooms, and reservable campsites. The old orchard trees remain, and the beach offers a marine harvest of sorts.
9. Orcas Island Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
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.
