San Juan Islands Active and Adventure Travel Guide

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Aerial view of the San Juan Islands, Washington (Jim Poth/courtesy, Washington State Tourism)

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San Juan Islands Active and Adventure Travel Tips

By Karen Kefauver

The larger San Juan Islands—Orcas, San Juan, and Lopez—offer great road-biking routes. Ride to Lime Kiln Point State Park on San Juan Island to watch for whales.
Sea-kayak along the spectacular west side of San Juan Island for a relaxing outing. The best time to spot orcas, eagles, seals, porpoise, and other wildlife is early in the morning or late afternoon.
For a more intensive tour, join a guided expedition to view whales, seals, sea lions, river otters, and bald eagles. Outings are offered by dozens of sea-kayaking tour outfitters.

San Juan Islands Travel Guide

On a late afternoon on a clear summer day, the sun slants low, suffusing the scene with a golden light. The fresh salt breeze and the low rumble of the ferry's engine lull you into a dream state. All around you, rising from a shimmering sea, are emerald-green islands, the tops of glacier-carved mountains inundated with water at the end of the last ice age. A bald eagle swoops from its perch on a twisted madrona tree. Off the port bow, you spot several fat harbor seals lounging on a rocky islet. As the engine slows, you glide toward a narrow wooden dock with a simple sign above it that reads ORCAS ISLAND. With a sigh of contentment, you step out onto the San Juan Islands and into a slower pace of life. Read More

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I would like to travel by sea one way from Dominica (Roseau) to San Juan (SJU) on August 18 evening. I do not know where and how to book the ticket.
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Hotels

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The Rosario Resort

1400 Rosario Rd.
Eastsound, WA 98245 Map

Distance: 10.0 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class:

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Expert Rated & Recommended

Hotel Elements

410 Spring Street
Friday Harbor, WA Map

Distance: 0.3 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated

Expert Rated & Recommended

Bird Rock Hotel

335 First Street
Friday Harbor, WA Map

Distance: 2.6 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated

Expert Rated & Recommended

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Attractions

Sea Quest Expeditions

Distance: 4.7 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Sea Quest Kayak Expeditions leads educationally-oriented sea kayaking day trips and overnight... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended

San Juan Island National Historical Park

Distance: 2.4 mi. (from destination center)

Description: San Juan Island National Historic Park’s 1752 acres make it the second largest protected public... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended

Sucia Island Marine State Park

Distance: 10.7 mi. (from destination center)

Description: An underwater scuba park, miles of hiking trails, and camping, clamming, and crabbing areas are... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended

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Airports

Major Airports near San Juan Islands

	Distance (mi.)
Vancouver International Airport	45.4 map
Seattle/Tacoma International Airport	82.1 map
Portland International Airport	205.2 map

Other Smaller Airports near San Juan Islands

	Distance (mi.)
Rosario SPB	10.1 map
Eastsound Orcas Island Airport	15.5 map
Victoria International Airport	20.6 map

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Flight Deals to San Juan Islands

Originating	From
Las Vegas (LAS) to Vancouver (YVR)	$354

Feature Articles

The Tops in Touring: Road Cycling's Best Spots
Northwest Cycling Odyssey: Touring the San Juan Islands
October Romantic Travel Guide
July Active/Adventure Travel Guide
The Wild-Water Life List
outside
We know you want your fair share of life's peak moments—and you want to get good and wet along the way—so we've thoughtfully prioritized our ten favorite liquid adventures in the United States
The Island Life
Living on "Island Time" in America’s Diverse Islands Means More Than Just Sand and Surf

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Trip Ideas

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GORPtravel Adventure Trips & Guided Tours

San Juan Islands Biking - Luxury Inn to Inn
Terra Trek
from $880, 6 days
Nestled in the northern Puget Sound between the snowcapped Cascade and Olympic Mountain Ranges sits a verdant archipelago called the San Juan...
Sea Kayak in the San Juan Islands - Day Tour
San Juan Excursions
from $75, 1 days
Sea kayak along the west-side of San Juan Island... beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife! ...
"San Juan Islands Circumnavigation" - Kayak Soujourn - 4 Days
Outdoor Odysseys
from $695, 4 days
Our circumnavigation of San Juan Island affords us two great paddling days on the west side of the island in "the heart of Orca whale" habitat. With...
San Juan Islands Biking - Camping
Terra Trek
from $499, 6 days
Join TerraTrek for 2 to 6 days as we bicycle San Juan Islands along verdant country roads that lead to unforgettable coastal vistas, hike down to a...
"Eagles & Orcas" San Juan Islands Kayaking
Outdoor Odysseys
from $549, 3 days
With over 200 rocky, forested islands to explore the San Juan Archipelago is a superb kayak destination. Harkening back to an earlier time when the...

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San Juan Islands Vacation Rentals

from: $75

Lopez Island-Ravens Rook Main House and Cabin- Handbuilt in the Northwest Style

Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1
Sleeps: 4

Amenities: Air Conditioning, CD Player, Coffee Maker, DVD Player, Full kitchen, Hair Dryer, Internet Access, Laundry, Linens, No Pets, Non-Smoking, Oven, Patio, Phone, Refrigerator, Stereo, Stove, TV, Utensils, Wireless Internet Access, Woodburning Stove

from: $136

2 Bedroom VACATION HOME in LOPEZ ISLAND, WA

Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1
Sleeps: 4

Amenities: BBQ, Blender, CD Player, Cable/Satellite TV, Coffee Maker, Computer Access, DVD Player, Fireplace, Full kitchen, Hair Dryer, Internet Access, Iron, Ironing Board, Laundry, Linens, Microwave, Non-Smoking, Oven, Pets OK, Refrigerator, Stereo, Stove, TV, Toaster, Towels, Utensils, VCR, Wireless Internet Access

from: $10

Whidbey Island Vacation Rental

Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 4
Sleeps: 8

Amenities: Alarm Clock, BBQ, Balcony, Blender, CD Player, Cable/Satellite TV, Coffee Maker, Computer Access, DVD Player, Dishwasher, Filtered water, Fireplace, Garage, Hair Dryer, Internet Access, Iron, Ironing Board, Laundry, Linens, Microwave, Non-Smoking, Oceanfront, Patio, Pets OK, Phone, Playground, Refrigerator, Restaurant, Sauna, Stereo, Stove, TV, Toaster, Towels, VCR, Wireless Internet Access, Woodburning Stove

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