Outdoor fun in the San Juan islands
The San Juan Islands, near Seattle, Washington, are a beautiful group of hundreds of small islands. Many of these are small, and only about 40 islands are inhabited by people. More than double what is reserved as the San Juan Islands Wildlife Refuge. The area is a nature lover’s paradise, with bald eagles, killer whales, seals, and more.
The most common way to get to the islands is with the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes. As soon as your ferry sails out onto the islands, that hectic home life fades away and you’re in a magical world of blue sea, dark, tree-covered hills and rocky coves.
The two largest and most visited islands are San Juan Island and Orcas Island. The main town of the islands, Friday Harbor, is on the island of San Juan. It’s a fun little town, with a picturesque harbor and a surprising number of good restaurants.
There are many outdoor activities available, both on land and in the water, so you can take advantage of this beautiful archipelago. These are some of the best possibilities.
Trekking – Orcas Island has the best hikes, especially in Moran State Park. There are 30 miles of hiking trails, ranging from an easy loop around the lake to a steep climb to Mount Constitution (the highest peak in San Juans). From the summit you get spectacular views of the other islands and the mainland.
Kayak – You can find kayak providers on both San Juan Island and Orcas Island. If you’re new to the sport or short on time, sign up for a 3-hour kayak trip. From the water, you are likely to see seals, bald eagles, and starfish, and your guide can even show you how to eat seaweed. Day trips or multi-day adventures are also available.
Riding a bicycle – Bicycle rental is also available on either of the two islands. San Juan Island is easier for biking, while Orcas has more hills if you are looking for a challenge. Lopez Island is also a good place for easy biking, it is even quieter and less populated than the other two.
Whale watching – Killer whales (also known as killer whales) are frequently found in these waters, and it is exciting to be able to see them in the wild. You can sometimes see whales from shore at Lime Kiln State Park, but your chances are better if you take one of the whale watching boat tours from San Juan Island. If there are whales anywhere nearby, the captains of the boats will make sure you find them.
Whatever you choose, enjoy your time in the beautiful San Juan Islands!