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.

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.

“Happiness is a warm puppy,” Charles M. Schulz said and every dog owner knows what he means. Dogs are our babies, true family members, a fifteen-year commitment to unconditional love. We plan our lives around them - and our vacations. The last time we took a tropical vacation and left our dogs with friends for three weeks, they were so devastated, that we vowed never to do that again in their lifetime. So, we take them with us, to places we all like and benefit from. One such place is beautiful San Juan Island.

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.

The days are getting longer, the Orca Whales are returning, the birds and the bees are having babies, there are flowers everywhere. San Juan Island awakes from its Winter Slumber, well-rested and eager to show off all that is fresh and new. Come join us for your own renewal and rejuvenation. Come share the Spring 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!

Do you regularly bring home tons of clean, untouched clothes from your trips? Are you at a total loss when it comes to decide how many outfits to bring for the kids on an island trip? Do you have trouble deciding what to bring when both sea kayaking and going to a fancy restaurant are on the menu for your weekend getaway? If you are visiting San Juan Island for a night from Seattle or for a week from Spain, we have some Earthbox guest-tested, Island specific packing tips for you.

It's February and we are all thinking about it: Valentine's Day. Should we do something? It's just a Hallmark Holiday. That said, it really is so sweet and validating to plan something special. And while I'm over chocolates and flowers, we could still use a little break. We can celebrate our love any day of the year and if it takes Valentine's Day to motivate us to plan a romantic getaway then let's not overthink it.  

San Juan Island is known for its stunning vistas, amazing wildlife, rich history and bountiful culture. You can experience all of that in a single day at San Juan Island’s unique museums. Listen to the Orcas sing, visit the first county jail, watch Blue Herons fish among art. It doesn’t sound like your regular museum day, does it? It’s not--you are in for a real treat!

It was a dark and stormy night….

No, it actually wasn’t. It was an overcast, cool, windy day in the “shoulder season” (before or after the summer season on San Juan Island) and the Orca whales had not been seen or heard anywhere. I tried not to be disappointed. Being out on Maya’s brand new J1, a Zodiac boat with an enclosed cabin and head (that’s “boat” for “toilet”), zipping by lighthouses and seeing some sea lions would be fun too.