I’m not exactly what you call a “water person” and to tell you the truth, the thought of sea kayaking in the Pacific Ocean, even with my experienced friend in the same kayak and an even more experienced guide in the next, frightened me some. But this is what life and adventure are all about: find your boundaries and gently push, or paddle as the case may be.
Don’t let the weather stop you from visiting the island this winter. There’s so much to do—and see—even from the comfort of your car. This is a great time to take a driving tour of beautiful San Juan Island, listening to lovely music and taking it all in. We have found the perfect spots just for you, where you suddenly come around a corner and the vista before you simply takes your breath away.
The crystal clear, deep green waters surrounding San Juan Island look incredibly inviting for a swim, but take note--they are at a (brr….) 50 degrees, even in the Summer, largely too cold to take a dip, except for the young and hearty. And yet, that doesn’t mean you have to go without a nice swim on your Summer island vacation. We found 5 lovely spots to play in the water on the isle. Find out which one floats your boat.
It’s Spring and San Juan Island’s meadows and mountains laugh in flowers. The lush farm valleys are dotted with baby sheep and cows and blooming orchards. The Humpback Whales are returning from Hawaii with their new calves. Bald Eagles are teaching their young how to fly. Experience all that on a leisurely walk or a brisk hike on San Juan Island.
Visiting San Juan Island is a bucket list item for sure. It’s one of the few and arguably best places to see Orca whales from land in the world. It is the site of the last war ever fought on American soil. It’s home to more Bald Eagles and working artists than any other county in Washington State. And to top it all off, it’s just drop-dead gorgeous here!
Laughing reduces stress, anxiety and depression. It even diminishes pain. Go see a comedy at the San Juan Community Theatre or at the historic Palace Movie Theater. As the saying goes: laughter is the best medicine.
There is so much to do on beautiful San Juan Island and in cute Friday Harbor, it may be hard to decide how to prioritize your stay, especially if it’s your first time visiting. Follow our 10 tips to get a sense of this unique island, it’s rare wildlife, astonishing nature, rich history and culture and, most importantly, to have fun.
Beautiful San Juan Island, nestled in Washington State between the Olympic Mountains and Vancouver Island, lays in the so-called Olympic Rain Shadow. Where Seattle is drenched in 58 inches of rain per year, San Juan Island experiences 250 sunny days per year with only 29 inches of yearly rainfall. And when you come visit on day number 251? Do not worry! Friday Harbor and San Juan Island offer an abundance of things to do, rain or shine!
Winter is spectacular on San Juan Island. The Olympic Rain Shadow allows for crystal clear, sunny days to make you feel at times like you have landed in the Caribbean, but without the palm trees.
San Juan Island is nicknamed the “banana belt” of Washington State, because it is in a rain shadow, protected by the Olympic Mountains on one side and Vancouver Island on the other. The beautiful valleys in the center of the island are lush, rolling pastures for cattle, sheep and goats. Countless farms, producing lavender, sea salt, apple cider, wine, flowers, wool, produce, cheese and meat, are calling San Juan Island their home.