“You are now arriving in Friday Harbor” can be heard over the ferry’s loudspeaker as you approach the Friday Harbor ferry landing.
This is when your San Juan Island adventure begins! Unprecedented beauty. Raw, rugged, and full of life. From the stunning shorelines to the golden fields of the farmlands, there is something for everyone on San Juan Island.
Go Whale Watching
The San Juan Islands are a world-renowned whale-watching destination. There are three different ecotypes of Orcas that make the waters around the San Juan Islands home: Resident, Transient, and Off Shore. The Southern Resident community is made up of 76 whales and 3 pods.
You may view these magnificent creatures from the sea, or from land on the west side. There is nothing like having the gift of hiking along the shore and seeing the Southern Resident Orcas swim along! Sometimes we are lucky enough to have all 3 pods present for a Super Pod where you will see spy hopping, tail slapping, breaching, and more.
Also known as Whale Watch Park, Lime Kiln Point State Park is a 36-acre day-use park with an iconic lighthouse set on the west side of San Juan Island. The park is considered one of the best places in the world to view whales from land.
If you prefer to get out into the water for a sea-based whale-watching tour, there are several tour operators to choose from:
Western Prince Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours
Maya’s Legacy Whale Watching
San Juan Safaris
All Aboard Sailing
San Juan Outfitters
Discovery Sea Kayaks
Crystal Seas Kayaking
San Juan Kayak Expeditions
Sea Quest Expeditions
Take a Kayaking Trip
The smell of sea salt in the air, the breeze blowing through your hair, cold sprays of water against your skin… If this sounds like your ideal day, then a kayak adventure on San Juan Island is perfect for you. Not only is kayaking great for your health, but it also allows you to get closer to nature. You may even spot a whale!
We highly recommend booking a bioluminescence tour, an experience you’ll never forget. Whether paddling through bioluminescence is on your bucket list, or you just want to take a closer look at marine life, San Juan Island is the place to do it.
Of course, you need to be aware of our potentially strong local currents and set out with someone who is knowledgeable about our local waterways. We have so many wonderful kayak companies to help you along:
Discovery Sea Kayaks
San Juan Island Outfitters
San Juan Kayak Expeditions
Crystal Seas
Sea Quest Expeditions
Outdoor Odysseys
Go Biking
If you’re up for the challenge, San Juan Island can be circumnavigated in a day, a journey of about 43 miles, including scenic legs. If you would like a guided tour, San Juan Island has several to choose from including sunset tours, photography tours, birding & nature tours, and wedding party tours.
Keep safety in mind, as there are some substantial hills and roads with narrow shoulders.
Download your San Juan Island Bike Map HERE.
Rent a bike or book a tour here:
Meat Machine Cycles
Cycle San Juan
Discovery Adventure Tours
Discovery Sea Kayaks
Take a Hike
Photo courtesy of San Juan Island Trails Committee
With a county park, a state park, two national parks, and miles and miles of public hiking trails, San Juan Island is full of opportunities to get close to nature and enjoy the best of what our island has to offer.
Situated at the north end of San Juan Island, this 650-foot summit of Young Hill offers unmatched panoramas of the San Juans, Canada’s Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island, and beyond.
We are so lucky to have 2 National Park sites on San Juan Island – both commemorating the Pig War and a time when both American and British troops inhabited the island. A must see stop for the beauty and the history when you visit San Juan Island!
Reuben Tarte Park, a hidden gem here on San Juan Island. The sound of waves gently lapping on the shore always helps us to get centered.
Go Bird Watching
Grab your binoculars! The San Juans are home to an incredible array of wintering and year-round birds. Trumpeter Swans, Harlequin Ducks, Bald Eagles, Osprey, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, and every once in a while a Snowy Owl are among the feathered friends of the islands.
Not only does San Juan Island have the highest concentration of breeding bald eagles in the contiguous United States, but it has a plethora of unique species that arrive only during the Spring months. San Juan Island is part of the Puget Loop of the Washington State Birding Trail and features four of its main sites; Lime Kiln State Park, American Camp, English Camp, and Jackson’s Beach.
We suggest purchasing the trail map HERE, which features 220 annually recorded bird species.
Zylstra Lake Preserve is our favorite spot for birding on San Juan Island. It’s wonderful! Bald Eagles, wrens, robins, swans, towhees, finches, and more waterfowl. Bring your camera.
New to birding? A trip to the San Juans will help you check off a great collection of terrestrial birds as well as a plentiful list of marine species – so get your binoculars and bird ID guides ready! Just remember to keep your distance and observe from afar so you do not disturb the bird’s natural habitat. To learn more about responsible wildlife watching in the San Juan Islands, read THIS article.
Book a bird watching tour here:
San Juan Safaris
Sea Quest Expeditions
Get Out and Explore
We recommend renting a vehicle so you can visit Pelindaba Lavender Farm, Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm & Country Store, San Juan Vineyards, San Juan Islands Sculpture Park, or any of the other incredible stops outside Friday Harbor town.
You may rent a vehicle here:
Visit a Museum
Once you spend some time on San Juan Island, you will likely want to learn more about its history, marine life, and culture. Luckily, there are a few museums that will satisfy your thirst for knowledge about our beautiful islands.
People travel from all over the world to visit the Resident Orcas that call the San Juans home. The Whale Museum offers an amazing collection of artifacts and displays to develop your knowledge of these breathtaking animals of the Salish Sea.
Strolling through the San Juan Islands Museum of Art offers a glimpse into regional art from the Pacific Northwest and Southwest British Columbia. The museum’s three galleries showcase eight to ten exhibits each year. If you’re lucky, you might be able to catch one of the talks given through the Art as a Voice lecture series.
San Juan Historical Museum will take you back to simpler times when the island revolved around fishing and farming. See the original county jail, a restored farmhouse, and an old log cabin. Soak in the rich history of San Juan Island throughout the centuries at this interactive museum.
Stop By Pelindaba Lavender Farms
You can visit the Pelindaba Lavender Farms from May to October, but if you’re visiting San Juan Island in July or August, the farm becomes a must-do experience. At the height of blooming, the lavender farm makes for the perfect background for photos. The scent calms, and visitors can learn about the sustainability practices that make the farm a premier location for lavender goods. One of the most beautiful things about the Pelindaba is their welcoming commitment to the community. The farm isn’t for rent for private events, but they actively encourage you to visit, take photographs, and even do yoga amongst the lavender.
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
One of the best ways to truly experience a new place to eat and drink the way the locals do. San Juan island has a plethora of dining establishments and watering holes to suit any pallet.
If you want experience the freshest local seafood, head to the source. Once the sight of a summer camp, Westcott Bay Shellfish Company isn’t simply a restaurant. It’s a genuine working seafood farm. The aquaculture farm offers a look at the process involved in acquiring fresh seafood, along with giving visitors the chance to sit at a picnic table to slurp the most delicious oysters on the island. Their menu offers oysters and more!
Duck Soup Inn remains one of our most popular recommendations for Friday Harbor visitors. The restaurant offers meals crafted from island fresh food, like island-grown produce and local seafood. Decorated with local artisan goods, Duck Soup Inn showcases the island in a cozy, elegant setting.
Pick up a pizza and some dessert from Van Go’s Pizza. The cozy pizzeria boasts traditional and specialty pies and has something for everyone — try the Pear & Prosciutto for something sweet and savory all at once. Once you order and walk over to pick up your dinner, you might get a second wind and enjoy eating on site. If you’re visiting during the summer, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the ambiance of their outdoor patio.
Every island visit should include the San Juan Island Brewing Company. After spending their time drinking other people’s craft brews, brothers Sean and Tim Aylward came home to Friday Harbor to start a brewery of their own. Local craftspeople came together to create a location where locals and visitors alike can drink excellent beer, chat about their lives, and listen to live music on the patio.
San Juan Island Distillery makes delicious small batch ciders and spirits. Their award-winning apple brandy made with locally grown apples is a must try! Most of their spirits are available ONLY in the San Juan Islands, so be sure to make a visit while you’re here.
Whether you are headed to one of the island’s eateries or you’re planning on charcuterie and dessert back at The Web Suites, don’t miss the chance to spend the night enjoying the local wine. Stop by the San Juan Vineyard for a bottle — or several — of the wine produced right on the island. You can even sit on the covered porch and have a glass before you leave.
Madrone Cellars strives to bring a taste of Europe to the San Juan Islands. Their wines are made with minimal intervention from grapes grown locally in Washington State. If you prefer cider, try Madrone’s small batch cider which is made from a unique process, similar to champagne.
If craft beer is your things, stop by Cease and Desist and have a cold pint on the harbor. Their ever changing selection of brews are some of the most interesting beers you may ever come across. You can even take a “Crowler” to go and enjoy it from The Web Suite’s Rooftop Deck!
Pamper Yourself
Source: Canva[/caption]
You’re on vacation! Why not treat yourself to a hot stone massage or perhaps a facial, pedicure, or yoga class? Whatever form of self-care you want to seek out, it’s here on San Juan Island. Sit back, relax, and get pampered!
Lavender Massage elevates the body, mind, heart, and spirit while invoking the energy of the islands. Try their Earth Water Spirit massage for an unforgettable experience!
Try Something a Little Different
There are tons of unique things to do on San Juan Island. Check out these hidden gems that offer visitors a one-of-a-kind experience.
The McMillin Mausoleum, also known as the Afterglow Vista, is a MUST SEE when visiting San Juan Island. This impressive structure was built by John McMillin as a memorial for himself and his family. The architecture was carefully planned as has meaning behind its mysterious design.
The San Juan Islands Sculpture Park is 20-acre outdoor park with more than 150 unique sculptures which sit in a beautifully landscaped setting. A variety of trails are mapped and marked to follow on a self-guided tour year-round. During the warmer months, bring a picnic lunch. During the colder, wetter months, wear your boots! Always bring a camera as this is a picture-perfect park on the island.
Since 1979, our quaint bookstore, Griffin Bay Books, has been dedicated to special orders and meeting their customers’ specific needs. Enjoy the local knowledge, warm and knowledgeable staff, incredible selection of book titles, and “Soot”, the bookstore cat.
San Juan Island Accommodations
Any of our three suites offer the amenities you need for the perfect weekend getaway — or longer if you feel inclined to stay. Cozy fireplaces welcome you to kick up your feet at the end of the day, and you can use your private kitchen facilities to have a glass of wine each evening or leisurely breakfast before heading out for the day.
Don’t miss the sun setting from the rooftop deck. You can’t beat the view from The Crow’s Nest, and you can even watch the ferries come and go for the quintessential Friday Harbor experience. The Web Suites is the perfect location to launch your San Juan Island Adventure!