Get in line at least an hour or two before your interisland ferry departs. Courtney Shannon Strand has been writing about the Seattle/Tacoma area since she began exploring her hometown in the late 1990s. So the best time would be from late May until mid September. This island is a great place to visit with a pair of bikes to have a serene picnic. Each year in April the Tour de Lopez attracts competitive cyclists thanks to its flat roads. Knowing how to visit the islands efficiently can help you enjoy your time there without draining your pocketbook. The two farthest islands west of Anacortes are San Juan Island and Orcas Island. The great thing about the San Juan Islands is that the main towns: Friday Harbor and … Fall: Fall is a wonderful time to visit the San Juan Islands, as the skies are often clear and the days warm. Back to the climate of Washington state. There are several options for. If you want to stay closer to town within walking distance of stores stay at Eastsound Suites (they offer water views with a deck and modern-designed home features including a kitchen); The Outlook Inn (offers views of the water); The Landmark (also offers water views and kitchenettes). If you still have time to explore, consider renting a bike from Island Bicycles or Meat Machine Cycles to peddle around San Juan or even hop island-to-island on the inter-island Washington State Ferry (free to walk-ons and bicyclists!). Get information on The San Juan Islands Travel Guide - Expert Picks for your Vacation hotels, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, sightseeing, and activities. Here are our top reasons to make the San Juan islands your next biking destination: Explore San Juan Islands holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. The most cost-effective way to explore more than one island with a car is to pay the applicable fees to take your passengers and car on the ferry headed to Orcas Island first from Anacortes. The Best Time to Visit San Juan Islands, WA, US for Weather, Safety, & Tourism Weather in San Juan Islands. Here are just some of the things you can check out during Savor the San Juans. If you aren't interested in visiting San Juan Island on Day 2 then take an interisland ferry to Shaw Island. Tucker House Inn offers a great outdoor garden setting for weddings and receptions along with on-site catering services from the, The best time to stay in the San Juan Islands WA is summer, when the whales are here and the rainclouds are minimal. The drive into Eastsound after getting off the ferry takes about 20 minutes, sometimes more during peak season due to traffic. Free Things to Do in San Juan Islands . And there are plenty of places to dine while staying on Orcas Island. Top Places to Visit in San Juan Islands, Washington: See Tripadvisor's 58,024 traveller reviews and photos of San Juan Islands attractions. In order to get to the Eastsound from the ferry drop off point, you'll have to arrange for someone to pick you up if you walked on the ferry, or at the very minimum at least bring your bike to get to town. The best time to stay in the San Juan Islands is summer, when the majestic whales can be sighted, and the rains are rare. late January and early February. In addition to displaying their work, including sculpture, jewelry, pottery, printmaking, glass, fiber and fine art, the artists share insights into how their art is created and what inspires and motivates them in their chosen media. Summertime is all around a great time to be in the San Juan Islands WA because of the multitude of available outdoor activities and attractions. The San Juan Islands, located 140 km north of Seattle in the heart of Salish Sea, is the most famous place for orca whale watching. The ferry-serviced islands are the biggest draw for locals and visitors: Orcas, San Juan (Friday Harbor), Lopez and Shaw. The best time to see Killer whales in the San Juan Islands This is one of the most asked questions that we get! They put on a spectacular annual Fourth of July firework show with a parade through town each year. Fall. 5 Reasons to visit the San Juan Islands. You can also drive to the top of Moran State Park to see panoramic views of the island and the surrounding mountains. The quickest way to squelch your island trip is to miss a ferry and have to wait for the next one. Not in continental America, surely. This is because you will be headed eastbound. The most cost-effective way to visit more than one island is to know how the ferry schedules and fees work. There are many options for accommodations on Lopez and places to camp along with private residents options. The months for best San Juan Islands WA weather also overlap with the best time for, , which is from May to September. I dream about the fall harvests as I stroll through the Farmers Market with its colorful abundance. Winter is a “quiet” season for the San Juan Islands. With an average daily temperature of 66 degrees in September, 58 in October and 50 in November, autumn in the San Juan Islands is a beautiful season, with many sunny days. Just keep in mind after you initially pay to take your car on a ferry from Anacortes then as long as you keep going eastbound in your travels, you won't be charged again on interisland ferries for taking your car around to the different islands. The weather is by far the best and the Orcas are usually in this area then as well. based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Protected in the. The average temperatures drop a little from summer, and they continue to cool the closer that you get to winter. If you enjoy hiking don't miss Moran State Park on Orcas Island. There are limited amenities on Shaw Island (only one small grocery store, no hotels, no restaurants). All of the food you’ll find on the San Juan Islands is delicious, but some of it is … June and September are also acceptable months. Lopez Island is popular with bike riders and also with kayak enthusiasts. According to the Washington State Ferries for the San Juan Islands, "Every time you go westbound you pay and traveling eastbound is free.". You are charged for your car on westbound travel only. The locals on Shaw don't want to commercialize their island, so be respectful of this if you plan to visit. Meaning you can walk on interisland ferries from where you are staying and not need a car to explore San Juan Island, saving you transportation money. Sightings are usually in the 90 percent range during these months, basically guaranteeing a chance to catch your favorite underwater friends in action. Make a plan and enjoy island hopping cost-effectively with your car through the San Juans. Visiting the San Juan Islands for Cheap The islands are beautiful during the summer. | Leafy hedgerows, soporific settlements and winding lanes with few cars. 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Guests come as strangers, leave as friends, and return as a part of our extended family…, © 2020 TUCKER HOUSE INN & HARRISON HOUSE SUITES | PRIVACY POLICY | ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT | SITEMAP | PHOTO CREDITS | SIMPLE SOFTWARE FOR INNKEEPERS BY ODYSYS. The San Juans are overall more than twice as sunny and half as rainy as its southern neighbor of Seattle due to its ideal location in the Olympic rainshadow. And the Crescent Beach Reserve on Orcas Island is a great place to relax and take in the beautiful beach surroundings of Orcas Island. But loud in negative "no trespassing" signs. However, since there are pods of orcas that live near the islands year round, you may spot whales outside of these months. Once you are done exploring Friday Harbor walk on the next interisland ferry back to Orcas Island. We hopped a flight on Kenmore Air to check out all the food, farm and film events taking place from now until November 12th. San Juan Island (the location of the well-known town, Friday Harbor) is a foot-friendly island. The ideal San Juan Islands WA summer weather might draw more than tourists looking for a weekend getaway. The Busiest and Least Crowded Months. Having spent our time researching, route-finding, and setting up great itineraries on the islands, we've fallen in love! You can visit the San Juan Islands year-round. These, If cookies rather than snow fell down from the ski, Hamantaschen are traditionally stuffed with sweet, We’re counting down to #Christmas2020 with 12 co, A perfect day for an island hike to a glorious pic, © 2020 TUCKER HOUSE INN & HARRISON HOUSE SUITES |. After one or more nights on Orcas Island, you can take a ferry from Orcas Island to Lopez Island without getting charged again for your car. Day 1 Orcas Island's Eastsound. Keep in mind, Shaw Island is very tranquil in sound. Darvill's Bookstore in downtown Orcas Island offers water views while you shop for books or enjoy a coffee inside. Wait times in between can be long. Temperatures remain at around 28 degree Celsius during the day 22 degree Celsius at night the rest of the year. There is a reason so many people come from all over the world to the San Juan Islands (north of Seattle) to catch a glimpse of the world’s top ocean predator. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Pack up and head back to the ferry landing. Orca whales usually pass through the islands in greatest numbers between mid-May and mid-October when the salmon runs are strongest, although it's possible to spot them through the rest of the year. The ferry dock is not near town (the Eastsound). They say the best things in life are free. The Country Corner Cellars on Orcas Island offers daily wine tastings and sells Northwest wine too. There are 172 named islands and reefs in San Juan County, however the four ferry served Islands; San Juan Island (with the county seat Friday Harbor), Orcas Island, Lopez Island and Shaw Island are the most populous and host the vast majority of tourism activities. Once you’ve decided where to stay, it’s time to get out and explore the island! Friday Harbor offers many fun things to do right off the ferry dock where you can walk through downtown to shop and eat. Pay to park your car and walk on the ferry. Summer months are also the rainiest. The answer is both 'yes' and 'no.' These months also offer the least amount of rain, averaging right around an inch while wetter months can see over four inches. Ferries take off from Anacortes. Answer 1 of 4: My husband and I are planning a visit to San Juans and Vancouver. And each island offers something different. Request a printed brochure and map here. I feel grateful and calm. Gift Certificates | Getting here | Call (360) 378-3587, The Best Time of Year to Visit San Juan Islands WA, February 15, 2016 | Activities and Adventure, Harrison House Suites Blog and Videos. A Perfect Itinerary for a San Juan Islands Weekend Trip. The islands have an average of 247 days of sunshine per year and only half as much rain as Seattle. Of course whale watching expeditions are a prime attraction, but taking a picnic to a pebbly beach cove and trying to spot orca whales from the shore might be another adventurous (and romantic) option. If you plan to take a car on the ferries to visit more than one island, there are additional costs to consider depending on how you map out your stay, when you plan to visit and the length of your vehicle. In the summer months of late June through early September, temperatures on the San Juan Islands hover around the high 60s and low 70s, and the islands bustle with activity. Friday Harbor. 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